Finding accommodation in the short term

Favourable hostels

Hostels and youth hostels offer affordable accommodation for a short period of time. We can't list all the options, but we have put together a small selection here:

Dortmund

Hotels near the campus

There are many hotels in Dortmund and at the FH Südwestfalen campuses where you can stay overnight at short notice - unfortunately we cannot list them all here. Please use the online booking portals (e.g. Booking.com) and their various search criteria to find a suitable offer.

Finding long-term living space

Private halls of residence for students

There are more and more private halls of residence for students. Unlike the Studierendenwerk, these providers aim to make a profit. Rents are therefore often significantly more expensive than those charged by the Studierendenwerk. In return, the room size and facilities (e.g. fitness room) are above the standard. Important: Be sure to ask whether there are any additional costs on top of the rent!

Dortmund

Soest

Meschede

Online property exchanges and newspapers

Most private flats are published on the Internet. We list a selection of the best-known online portals here.

The following daily newspapers regularly publish adverts in the property market in Dortmund and the region:

  • Stadtanzeiger (free newspaper)
  • Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung (WAZ)
  • Ruhr Nachrichten (RN)
  • Westfälische Rundschau (WR)
  • Soester Anzeiger
  • Iserlohner Kreisanzeiger
Housing co-operatives

Housing cooperatives have the overriding aim of offering affordable housing. There are different requirements for renting. For example, you may have to become a member of a co-operative. Some co-operatives offer special deals for students.

Dortmund

Soest

Iserlohn

Hagen

Meschede

Further tips for finding accommodation

  • Search in the region!
    If you have not found a suitable flat at your place of study, it is also worth looking in neighbouring cities. Thanks to the good transport connections in the Ruhr region, you can easily commute from anywhere. With the Deutschland-Semesterticket, which you automatically receive from the university, you can use public transport throughout Germany.
  • Search on the notice board
    Some accommodation offers are posted on the information boards (notice boards) in the universities and in the foyer of the Mensa building. It's worth taking a look here!

Finding accommodation from abroad

Unlike in many other countries, in Germany a place in a hall of residence is not reserved when you are accepted onto a degree programme. You must organise your own accommodation. You can choose between the Studierendenwerk's halls of residence or the accommodation providers listed here. Further advice on finding accommodation from abroad can be found here: