Living in Hamburg, Germany

Learn all about what Hamburg has to offer as an international study destination.

Hamburg is a historical city

A modern city

Accommodation in Hamburg, Germany

A student friendly city

BSBI is proud to be able to deliver programmes in Hamburg, as part of our Faculty of Creative Industries.

If you are interested in arts and culture, Hamburg is home to a variety of museums that will give you an in-depth look into the city along with Germany’s national history. Popular museums include the International Maritime Museum, the Museum of Hamburg History and the Kunsthalle Hamburg which is a large art museum.

If you are looking for something a little bit different, you may want to spend a day at Miniature Wunderland which is the largest model railway and miniature airport attraction in the world.

Like many German cities, you can find green parks in abundance in Hamburg. Locals often meet friends, sunbathe or indulge in a picnic at one of the many parks spread across the city. During the summer time the parks become even more enticing - nature lovers will be spoilt for choice with green spaces to explore.

The city’s largest and most famous park is Stadtpark, where guests can enjoy a stroll past beautiful sculptures or through the botanic gardens. There is also a swimming pool and the park hosts open air concerts during the summer months, attracting many students and music lovers.

Hamburg is one of Germany’s main port towns, so people flock to the city to taste the world-famous fish! Tourists and locals can be found at the Sunday Hamburg Fish Market, where venders sell daily catches from the Baltic SEA. At the Altonaer Fischauktionshalle (or The Fish Auction Hall) you can enjoy fresh seafood from a variety of vendors while listening to live music and soaking up the great atmosphere.

If seafood isn’t your thing, ÜberQuell restaurant is a great lunch option. This is a quirky location and a popular spot for craft beer and pizza. In the St Pauli quarter you can visit AHOI, where you indulge in a rum tasting and savour authentic Hamburg cooking that can be enjoyed and shared tapas style.

HafenCity is a new urban quarter of Hamburg, more than 120 acres of former port land, known for the landmark Elbphilharmonie Hamburg concert hall. It features innovative architecture design and spans the historic Speicherstadt. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site with red bricked facades, canals and winding bridges.

Reeperbahn in the St Pauls district is a famous entertainment district. Today the street is filled with clubs, galleries, theatres, cabarets and bars. The Beatles fans may be interested to know that they played in several clubs around the Reeperbahn, some of which are still open and accessible today.

For those with a creative side,the popular neighbourhoods of “Schanze” and “Karolinenviertel” are alive with colour, you can find artful graffiti on every corner. There are lots of trendy boutiques, cafes and bars on the cobblestoned streets and many walking tours which will give you an insider’s view into the area.

Hamburg has a rich cultural life, whether you are looking for museums, dinner, theatre or music. One of the most popular music venues is The Elbphilharmonie - a huge venue which opened in 2017 and sits on the River Elbe. Inside there are three concert halls, a music school, a restaurant, a hotel and a viewing platform to look across the city. Alternatively, if you are interested in musical theatre, why not spend an evening at one of the city’s many shows?

The city is not just about nightlife and Hamburg is made up of many waterways and canals. For the adventurous types, Supper Club boat rentals offers canoes, pedal boats, kayaks and board rentals. This gives you an opportunity to explore the city at your own leisure or have a leisurely day on the canal.

Water Shows

In the summer months you may like to visit a water garden concert by the Parksee in Planten un Blomen. The fountain and water lights are synchronised to dance in time with the music and many people flock to the park for this nightly event.

Vogelball

This is a special event that runs every year and translates to “Bird Ball.” The music festival for Electronic Dance Music attracts many fun-seekers and attendees often dress up using bright coloured beads and feathers. There is much to explore with wild art installations, stages and the mythical woodland.

There are a number of reasons why people visit Hamburg, including: the food, the character, the canals, the architecture and the parks. If you are visiting or studying in Hamburg, there are a few places you should definitely tick off your to-do list.

The Elbphilharmonie is a modern concert hall on top of an old warehouse. The venue overlooks the harbour so you may want to pair your visit with a boat ride through the canal. Another must-see site is the Hamburger Rathaus (City Hall). The Neo-Renaissance building is available for public visits, why not book a guided tour and learn more?

If you are looking for a more exciting side of Hamburg, The Reeperbahn is a must-visit street in Hamburg’s St. Pauli district. Also known as Germany’s red light district, this is a popular destination for nightlife.

Undergraduate Programmes Offered at Hamburg Campus

BA (Hons) Photography

Explore the Bachelor of Arts (BA) Hons in Photography program by BSBI which focuses on photography, experimentation, and Visual Storytelling. Apply Now!
Read More

BA (Hons) Game Design

Explore the Bachelor of Arts (BA) Hons in Game Design program by BSBI which enables students to develop creative thinking and game-designing skills. Apply Now!
Read More

BA (Hons) Animation

This programme combines theory with practice and you to develop a series of short films through being taught via a blended learning approach. The curriculum incorporates latest industry technology and meets contemporary digital standards too, ensuring you are equipped with relevant software for the field.
Read More

BA (Hons) Graphic Design (UCA)

The course enables you to develop your design potential whilst guided by industry experts combining your work within an extensive portfolio of powerful software skills and effective creative thinking methods in highly complex design situations enhanced by a practical, vocational approach.
Read More

Postgraduate Programmes Offered at Hamburg Campus

MA User Experience Design

Explore the Master of Arts (MA) in User Experience Design program at BSBI offers analytic, creative, and technical aspects of User Experience (UX). Apply Now!
Read More

MA Photography

Discover the Master of Arts (MA) programme in Photography at BSBI, which offers subject-specific expertise and interdisciplinary skills to enrich your journey. Apply now!
Read More

MA Game Design

Explore the Master of Arts (MA) in Game Design program at BSBI offers game development skills taught by game studies academics & industry experts. Apply Now!
Read More

Global MBA (UNINETTUNO)

Our Global MBA master’s programme has been selected by BSBI among many prestigious international programmes offered by Università Telematica Internazionale UNINETTUNO.
Read More

MA Visual Communication (UCA)

An interdisciplinary 18-month course of advanced study for furthering your research skills, fostering a strong visual communication language and specialising within your discipline.
Read More

BSBI Portfolio Scholarship Competition

Students have the opportunity to showcase their creativity and the chance to receive a scholarship on tuition fees! This competition is valid on the Faculty of Creative Industries programmes being offered at the Hamburg campus.

Best Portfolio (Study for Free!)

1 Student | 100% Discount on Tuition Fee

Second Best Portfolio

10 Students | 50% Discount on Tuition Fee

Third Best Portfolio

20 Students | 40% Discount on Tuition Fee

Find out more about how to apply here.

Travel and safety in Hamburg, Germany

Travel and safety in Hamburg, Germany

With student services and accommodation support available, BSBI offer advice and support, along with our partners, to ensure you feel safe as an international student n Hamburg, Germany.
Read more

The campus in Hamburg

Our campus is located within HTK, based in Hamburg, a modern and established campus with all of the facilities needed for an excellent student experience.
Read more

Faculty of Creative Industries

BSBI is proud to offer programmes to students in Hamburg, Germany, as part of our Faculty of Creative Industries. Alongside our core values of Enterprise, Leadership and Success, we aim to provide students with the skills to succeed in the creative industry when they graduate.
Faculty of Creative Industries

Applying for our programmes

Interested in studying one of our creative programmes? BSBI welcomes applications from students who show a genuine commitment to their academic achievement. To study in Hamburg, find out more about our procedures and admissions policies. 
Undergraduate Application