Esslingen am Neckar: Top study programs (2026/27)

Esslingen am Neckar offers international students a distinctive educational experience at its University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule Esslingen), renowned for excellence in engineering, automotive technology, business, and social work—fields where the university's extensive industry connections with regional powerhouses like Mercedes-Benz, Bosch, and Festo translate directly into internships, collaborative projects, and career pathways in one of Europe's most innovative manufacturing regions. This picturesque medieval town provides quality education with a strong practical focus in a setting of extraordinary beauty: half-timbered houses spanning six centuries, ancient towers, and winding cobblestone streets along the Neckar River create one of Germany's best-preserved old towns, a backdrop that makes even routine walks to class feel special. The intimate campus atmosphere fosters close relationships with professors, while the university's international orientation ensures dedicated support for foreign students, including English-taught programmes and a welcoming community that helps newcomers settle in quickly. Students enjoy the rare balance of historic charm and modern opportunity—Stuttgart's comprehensive amenities, international airport, and cultural offerings sit just 15 minutes away by S-Bahn, while Esslingen itself maintains lower living costs, a more relaxed pace, and the authenticity that larger cities often lack.