Skip to main content


Accommodation when starting your studies at Ostfalia: 5 tips for finding a place to live

News , , By: Mandy Fleer

A hall of residence, a shared flat or your own flat? These 5 tips will help you find accommodation at the start of the semester at Ostfalia University of Applie

Two students are sitting in their shared flat, studying together
A short walk to the university and campus life right on your doorstep: many students look for accommodation close to campus when they start their studies. Foto: Pixel-Shot/Adobe Stock 

Starting university also marks the beginning of a new chapter in your life. Before you begin your studies at Ostfalia, you’re bound to be asking yourself: should I live near campus or commute? If you live close to your university, you’ll benefit from the short distances and can experience campus life to the full, with lectures, study groups and leisure activities.

The region between the Harz Mountains and the heathland, with towns and cities such as Braunschweig, Wolfsburg, Salzgitter, Wolfenbüttel and Suderburg, has plenty to offer! Whether it’s a student hall of residence, a shared flat or your own flat – there are suitable options for every situation.

However, it’s important to note that affordable accommodation is in high demand in many places. If you start your search early, you’ll have the best chance of finding suitable accommodation.

1. Start your search early

The closer the semester gets, the harder it becomes to find vacant accommodation. That’s why it’s worth looking for accommodation early and submitting applications for halls of residence and flats.

2. Make use of student halls of residence

A good place to start when looking for accommodation is the halls of residence run by the Studierendenwerk Südost-Niedersachsen (external link, opens in a new window). Places are available in halls of residence at the Ostfalia campuses in Wolfenbüttel, Wolfsburg and Suderburg. Demand is often high, so it is important to apply well in advance.

Please note: Applications for places for the 2026/27 winter semester must be submitted now!

3. Forming shared flats

For many students, living in a shared flat is an integral part of student life. A shared flat is often cheaper than having your own flat and offers the chance to make new friends quickly. This can be particularly appealing for students moving from another town. Those interested can find suitable accommodation via online platforms such as wg-gesucht (external link, opens in a new window).

4. Check online portals regularly

Traditional rental flats are also mainly advertised online. Platforms such as immobilienScout24 (external link, opens in a new window), immowelt (external link, opens in a new window) or immo38 (external link, opens in a new window) help you find suitable properties in the region. You can also find flats advertised in the classifieds (external link, opens in a new window). On all platforms, it’s worth saving your search queries and regularly checking for new listings.

5. Use your personal networks

Flat and shared flat rooms are often found through personal contacts. It’s best to ask family, friends and acquaintances if they’ve heard of any suitable vacancies.