From the day-care centre to the lecture theatre

Family-friendly universities From the day-care centre to the lecture theatre

What looks like a mini-conga takes shape outside “Super C”, the central services complex at RWTH Aachen University. Leading the way: a child’s toy cart. Everyone’s gibbering away excitedly – and the fact that none of them have learnt to talk properly yet doesn’t seem to worry any of them.

College & kids

RWTH Aachen University, Aachen University of Applied Sciences and the Catholic University of Applied Sciences are all holders of certification by the “Family-friendly University Audit”
This quality mark was awarded after audits by the German National Families Ministry (among others) which examined its family-friendly offerings, services and objectives
Aachen Student Service was the first of Germany’s 58 Student Services to gain certification by the “Work & Family Audit”
Students can avail themselves of a large range of childcare possibilities

The “Magic Castle” day-care centre (Kita Zauberschloss) is getting ready for its trip to Aachen’s Euregiozoo, and “tomorrow’s students” can’t wait. So what’s it like to take the kids to the Magic Castle in the morning and bundle yourself off to the lecture theatre without another thought? Not a problem in Aachen, because the childcare is every bit as warm and caring as its name suggests. And opening hours are just as flexible as the curriculum.

The colleges, the “Studentenwerk” (student service), parent-childcare-cooperatives and Aachen City Council all work together to ensure your whole family settles in quickly without jeopardising academic success.

Living with children in Aachen

Away from university life, too, Aachen is a child-friendly, family-friendly place to be. Aachen City Council was the very first local authority to win this sought-after seal of approval. The region’s zoos and open-air animal reserves make nature fun for the little ones. Springs, rivers and woodlands are there, just asking to be played in.

Play parks, pedestrian precincts, the family shopping guide and specially-phased traffic lights all go to make a shopping trip to the city-centre a relaxing experience. And if, despite this, the kids do get a bit restless, a selection of fountains and the accessible Johannisbach stream can introduce some welcome variety, allowing them to cool off and splash around to their little hearts’ content.

Families are what make the city lively, colourful and creative. And when your kids are happy, your studies can go with flying colours too!