International students have several housing options. A student residence is a very popular choice. These offer rooms in shared apartments as well as studio apartments. The residences are managed and run by the universities' student services organizations (Studierendenwerke). Rents are low, so vacancies are in high demand. It is advisable to apply early. The same applies to private shared apartments or studios. In major cities such as Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, housing is scarce and expensive. By comparison, the housing situation in smaller university towns is less tight.
Tip
You can find lots of useful information for international students on the website of the Intercultural Competence Service Center of the Deutsches Studierendenwerk.