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What this article is about:
- What makes the university town of Gera stand out
- What advantages Gera offers compared to larger cities
- Who might consider Gera as a place to study
Studying in Gera: Where Nature and Culture Meet Affordable Housing
Berlin, Heidelberg, Dresden, Munich or Leipzig … The list of German university towns is a long one. But have you ever heard of Gera? With a population of around 95,000, Gera is the third-largest city in Thuringia – the green heart of Germany – after Erfurt and Jena.
Since 2017, the city on the White Elster River has been officially recognised as a ‘university town’. As well as SRH University, you can also study here at the Duale Hochschule Gera-Eisenach.
But what are the advantages of studying in Gera, what’s everyday life like here, and is Gera the right place for you to study? We’ll answer these and other questions in our blog post. ✨
Studying in Gera – Between university, Hofwiesenpark and the city centre
A university town doesn’t have to be huge to have plenty to offer students. Quite the opposite, in fact: Gera stands out for its short distances, affordable housing and plenty of nature and culture. Here, you can reach the university, the city centre or leisure activities within a few minutes’ walk. You can also reach your destination very quickly by bike.
The SRH Gera campus is situated right next to Hofwiesenpark. Not only is this a lovely place for a stroll between your lectures, but it also boasts a wide range of sports, leisure and recreational facilities, including
- Hofwiesenbad (sports and leisure pool with sauna),
- a mini-golf course and a beach volleyball court,
- an outdoor fitness area (calisthenics) and
- spacious sunbathing lawns.
In addition, various events take place in Hofwiesenpark every year, such as the Hofwiesenpark Festival or concerts on the Sparkassenbühne stage.
Just behind the park, a path leads into the Gera City Forest, which psychology student Lina Katsch also counts amongst her favourite places:
“In my spare time, I really enjoy going for walks there with my friends. It’s a place where I can enjoy nature in peace, clear my head and escape the stresses of everyday life for a while. I prefer to plan our walks so that we end up at Osterstein Castle. From there, you have a wonderful view over Gera, which I enjoy all over again every time.”
Gera town centre is also just a few minutes’ walk from the SRH Campus Gera. As well as shopping facilities such as the Gera Arcaden, you’ll find a wide range of restaurants and cultural venues here, such as
- the Metropol Cinema,
- the Culture and Congress Centre,
- the City and Regional Library, and
- museums (e.g. the City Museum, the Natural History Museum or the Museum of Applied Arts).
As you can see, Gera is by no means a boring place, even as a smaller university town. This is also confirmed by psychology student Lena Weigel, who grew up in the town and made a conscious decision to complete her bachelor’s degree in her home town:
It’s lovely to stay in familiar surroundings whilst starting something new. Gera is a cosy place to study, full of charm, with pleasant spots to relax and plenty of opportunities to get out and about.
And should you ever feel like heading elsewhere, you can quickly reach larger cities such as Jena, Erfurt or Leipzig by car or train. After all, Gera isn’t just situated right next to the motorway; it also offers exciting day-trip destinations from the main station.
Living in Gera – Affordable accommodation for your studies
What also sets Gera apart, alongside its short distances, green surroundings and numerous leisure activities, is its comparatively affordable housing. According to Immo Scout24, the average rent (as of August 2026) is 6.41 euros per square metre, which is significantly below the national average of 9.23 euros per square metre. Whether you’re living with your family, in a shared flat with fellow students or on your own – unlike in many large university towns, your chances of finding affordable accommodation for your time at university are quite good in Gera.
If you’re studying part-time in Gera and only travel there for your block weekends, you can also stay in hotels or guesthouses, as medical education student Jasmin Rolzing does:
“Personally, I don’t feel comfortable in too much of a ‘hustle and bustle’. Nevertheless, there are plenty of shopping and accommodation options for the block weekends in Gera.”
💡Did you know? As well as SRH University, Gera is also home to the SRH Wald-Klinikum, the main healthcare provider for Gera and the surrounding region.
What sets Gera apart from larger university towns?
Perhaps you already have some idea of what student life in Gera might be like. But how does it actually differ from larger university cities such as Leipzig, Stuttgart or Hamburg? We’ve summarised it for you.
| Gera | Major city | |
| Finding a flat | more manageable | often more competitive |
| Housing costs | tend to be lower | often higher |
| Commutes | short, easily manageable on foot or by bike | sometimes long journey times by bus or train |
| Leisure | a smaller but nevertheless varied range of activities | a very wide range of activities |
| Nature | easily accessible | mostly longer distances |
| City life | quieter | more densely populated and livelier |
Whilst large cities generally have more to offer in terms of leisure and culture, and city life can be considerably livelier, smaller university towns such as Gera have their own appeal in many areas, particularly because they are on a manageable scale.
Who would benefit from studying in Gera?
Now that you’ve learnt about the differences compared to larger university towns, you’re probably wondering whether you should start your degree in Gera.
In short, studying in Gera might be right for you if you
- appreciate being close to everything,
- are looking for a friendly, personal atmosphere,
- value affordable accommodation,
- want to combine your studies and leisure time without any hassle, and
- prefer to live in a manageable-sized town rather than a metropolis.
Student Lena Weigel also appreciates these points:
Living in a smaller town has a number of advantages: the cost of living is significantly lower, whether it’s rent, leisure activities or everyday expenses. At the same time, life is much more relaxed. We don’t have overcrowded lecture theatres or long journeys.
If, on the other hand, you’re primarily looking for a particularly wide range of cultural activities, nightlife or events, you’ll be better off studying in a larger city.
Conclusion: Studying in Gera
Even if Gera hasn’t exactly been at the top of your list of preferred places to study so far, the town does offer many advantages over larger university towns. Short distances not only save time on your journey to university, but also allow you to make more effective use of your free time. The options here – whilst perhaps more limited than in a big city – are varied, ranging from visits to museums, the cinema and theatre to sporting activities and relaxing in the countryside. Another plus: affordable rents are easy on your wallet.
Does this sound like the sort of place for you? Then Gera is the town that can offer you exactly this kind of relaxed student life. Student Lina Katsch is convinced:
I think Gera is often underestimated as a place to study, even though the town has a lot to offer – you just have to get to know it.
FAQ: Studying in Gera
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