Which preposition to use for the phrase "to be studying at"?

Question

Which preposition should be used to communicate that "I am studying at this school"? Auf? Bei? Or something else entirely?

Related, perhaps dupe: http://german.stackexchange.com/q/9704/1224 — Em1, Apr 15 '16 at 15:38
The question makes little sense unless you specify at least which verb you want to use. — Carsten S, Apr 15 '16 at 17:36
And, related to the verb choice, whether it is about a high school or university etc. — chirlu, Apr 15 '16 at 19:54

score 3 · Answer 1 · edited Jun 17 '20 at 08:52

For primary and secondary education one would not use studieren (=study):

Ich gehe zu dieser Schule/diesem Gymnasium.

Ich gehe in diese Schule/dieses Gymnasium.

Ich gehe an diese Schule/dieses Gymnasium.

Ich gehe auf diese Schule/dieses Gymnasium.

Ich besuche diese Schule/dieses Gymnasium.

Higher education (where the word studieren applies):

Ich studiere an dieser Universität/Hochschule.

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 19 '16 at 14:17

2

As the other answer states, do not use studieren for primary and secondary education (Grundschule, Realschule, Gymnasium, Berufsschule), but do use it for higher education (Fachhochschule, Universität).

to study can be translated differently:

lernen (e.g., for a test)
eine Ausbildung machen (e.g., study at a university to get a degree)

in the first case simply use lernen an:

Ich lerne an dieser Schule.

Ich lerne an dieser Universität.

in the second case use these:

Ich gehe auf diese Schule.

Ich studiere an dieser Universität.

answered Apr 19 '16 at 14:17

sylar_5

85
2

I think that "lerne" would rarely be used in this sense. I think that "gehe auf" or "besuche" are more common. – Carsten S Apr 20 '16 at 12:47
As I said, lerne an would be used if a person is specifically learning something (like learning for a test): Ich lerne an dieser Schule für den Test – sylar_5 Apr 25 '16 at 10:02

Which preposition to use for the phrase "to be studying at"?

2 Answers2