Living: in Cottbus and Senftenberg
Finding a new place to live can be challenging, especially in a new environment. Your admission letter does not automatically guarantee you a place in a student residence – you have to apply for it separately. To increase your chances of getting a room, we recommend applying to several dormitories. You should also look for an apartment or room on the private housing market.
In general, applications will be processed in the order they are received. It is therefore advisable to apply for student accommodation as soon as possible. Please note that the university and the student dormitories are independent institutions and that the application process is handled by the housing providers themselves.
Student dormitories in Cottbus and Senftenberg:
- Cottbus/Senftenberg: The Studierendenwerk Ost:Brandenburg offers rooms in four student halls of residence in Cottbus and one in Senftenberg. You can find the locations and FAQs here.
Online Application Form - Cottbus: The private dormitory T1 Campus Cottbus (address: Jamlitzer Straße 9/10, 03046 Cottbus) offers single and double rooms. Further information can be found here.
Online Application Form - Cottbus: The private guest house Gästehaus der Uni-Service GmbH (address: Papitzer Straße 4, 03046 Cottbus) offers rooms in shared flats. Further information can be found here.
Online Application Form - Cottbus: The private student residence Prima Campus (address: Karl-Marx-Straße 13, 03044 Cottbus) offers rooms in shared flats, as well as one- and two-room options. Further information can be found here.
In Germany, it is also common for students to live alone or with friends. When two or more people share an apartment, it is called a "WG" (Wohngemeinschaft) in Germany. If you are looking for a room in a WG, the best place to look is wg-gesucht.
Mostly, people are looking for a new flatmate. They would like to get to know you a bit before inviting you to a WG-Casting. Tell them about your hobbies, interests, and customs. Being invited to view the flat does not guarantee that you will get the room. Therefore, contact several WGs!
If you are asked for a SCHUFA (German proof of ability to pay for rent), inform them of other ways to demonstrate your financial responsibility (e.g. a blocked account, a third-party declaration, proof of income).
Municipal housing companies
In general, flats which are provided by municipal housing companies are usually unfurnished. Also, it is a possibility to rent a flat with other students or people. Get in contact with fellow students and look together for housing. Please note, to get a new apartment might take some time.
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Offers on the private housing market
This collection of links generally includes references to external private portals offering services from various providers. The university has not reviewed these links and has no contractual relationship with the providers. The selection of links is made without preference or warranty. It is up to users to independently review the offers.
- ImmoScout24
- immonet
- immowelt
- Wohnungsboerse
- Kleinanzeigen
- Mein Monteurzimmer
- wg-gesucht (not just shared flats, but also flats)
The following homepage provides useful tips on how to successfully find an apartment or room in Germany: https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/living-in-germany/housing-mobility/housing-registration.
There are additional housing options in the immediate vicinity of Cottbus. You can reach the following nearby cities by public transport in a maximum of 30 minutes – the journey by bus or train is included in the semester ticket.
The following overview lists housing companies that offer affordable accommodation:
- Peitz (14 km away from Cottbus, around 30 minutes by bus): You can find current offers and the contact details of the WBVG Peitz here.
- Spremberg (22 km away from Cottbus, around 18 minutes by bus): You can find current offers and the application form of the Gesellschaft für Wohnungsbau mbH - GeWoBa here.
- Forst (25 km away from Cottbus, around 20 minutes by train): You can find current offers and the contact details of the Forster Wohnungsbaugesellschaft mbH here.
- Lübbenau (32 km away from Cottbus, around 20 minutes by train): You can find current offers and the application form of the WIS Wohnungsbaugesellschaft im Spreewald mbH here.
- Lübben (41 km away from Cottbus, around 30 minutes by train): You can find current offers and the application form of the Genossenschaftliche Wohngemeinschaft Lübben eG here.
You can also find offers on the free housing market in the vicinity of Cottbus via the above-mentioned portals: Link.
Try to plan your arrival in Cottbus or Senftenberg so that you do not arrive late in the evening, on Sundays, or on public holidays, as many stores in Germany close early (many around 8 PM). On Sundays and public holidays, stores and authorities are also closed.
If you arrive at BTU a day early or do not yet have a room, the following overnight options are available to you:
| In Cottbus | In Senftenberg |
| Jugendherberge Cottbus | Apartments am Schlosspark |
| Gästehaus Papitzer Straße | Aparthotel zum Löwen |
| Spreezeit Hotel Connect |
The university, along with other stakeholders and institutions in the city and region, is striving to support international students in their search as best as possible. We are collecting current support offers here:
- WhatsApp group channel founded and managed by the Quasimono student club. They post current accommodation offers. To stay updated, follow the channel Accommodation for new students in Cottbus on WhatsApp: Link.