In short
Halle (Saale) has 3 universities and colleges offering 268 degree courses (95 Bachelor's, 90 Master's), and 9% of them are taught in English or bilingually. Tuition for non-EU students: €0 — Saxony-Anhalt charges no tuition at public universities for EU or non-EU students; you pay only the semester contribution.
Halle is a lively, affordable city on the Saale river with a big student population. Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, one of Germany's older universities, covers almost every subject, and Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design is one of the country's best-known art schools. It is also home to the Leopoldina, Germany's National Academy of Sciences, and Leipzig is just a short S-Bahn ride away.
Universities in Halle (Saale)
Every university and college in Halle (Saale) in our catalogue, biggest first.
- Website of Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg (opens in a new tab)
Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg
University 232 courses
- Website of Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle (opens in a new tab)
Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle
Art & music college 31 courses
- Website of Evangelische Hochschule für Kirchenmusik (opens in a new tab)
Evangelische Hochschule für Kirchenmusik
Art & music college 5 courses
Cost of living
What studying in Halle (Saale) costs, from the latest figures we could source.
- Rent for a student flat
- No figure yetNot covered by the MLP Studentenwohnreport 2026 — check the local Studierendenwerk.
- Tuition for non-EU students
- €0 / semesterPlus the semester contribution every student pays. The rules are summed up in In short.
- Proof of funds for a visa
- €992 / monthThe proof of funds German missions currently ask of student-visa applicants (€11,904 a year) — confirm with the German embassy or consulate handling your application.
Good to know
- Rents are low, so you can often afford a room in a shared flat close to the centre or the Saale.
- Many students combine Halle's cheap rent with Leipzig's nightlife and job market — the S-Bahn takes about 25 minutes.
- Most undergraduate programmes are in German, so start language courses early.
Industries & employers
Big names that hire graduates, and offer internships and working-student jobs, in and around Halle (Saale).
DHL Hub Leipzig/Halle
Logistics
DHL's largest European air hub, at the airport between Halle and Leipzig.
Dow
Chemicals
Large chemical site in Schkopau, just south of Halle.
Leuna chemical park
Chemicals & energy
One of Germany's big chemical sites, about 20 km south, with a TotalEnergies refinery.
University Hospital Halle
Health
One of the region's largest employers.
Culture & people
George Frideric Handel was born in Halle, and the city celebrates him every year with a major festival. The Francke Foundations, a huge 18th-century school town, and the market square with its five towers shape the centre.
Halle has a creative, alternative side thanks to its art school, and students spend summer on the Peißnitz island and the Saale banks.
Events & festivals
Handel Festival
May – June
Baroque music festival in the composer's hometown.
Laternenfest
Late August
The Saale lantern festival, with a boat parade and fireworks.
Christmas market
Late Nov – Dec
Stalls on the Marktplatz below the Marktkirche.
Places to see
Marktplatz & Marktkirche
City
The market square with its five towers.
Francke Foundations
History
An 18th-century school town with what is billed as Europe's largest half-timbered building.
Moritzburg Art Museum
Museum
Modern art in a late-medieval castle.
Giebichenstein Castle
Castle
Castle ruin above the Saale, home to the art school.
Getting around
Trams and buses cover the city. S-Bahn trains reach Leipzig in about 25 minutes, and Halle is on the ICE network: Berlin is about 1 hour 10 minutes away. Leipzig/Halle Airport is about 15 minutes by train. Check your semester contribution for the included ticket; the Deutschlandticket costs €63 a month.
Student experiences
First-hand posts from students in Halle (Saale), read by our team before they appear.
Loading experiences…
Studying in Halle (Saale): FAQ
Which universities are in Halle?
Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design, and a Protestant college of church music — 268 courses in our catalogue.
Can I study in English in Halle?
Only a small share — 9% of the courses in our Halle catalogue are taught in English or bilingually, mostly Master's programmes. Most degrees require German.
Do I pay tuition fees in Halle?
No. Public universities in Saxony-Anhalt charge no tuition for EU or non-EU students; only the semester contribution applies.
How far is Halle from Leipzig?
About 25 minutes by S-Bahn, and Leipzig/Halle Airport lies between the two cities.
More guides in Saxony-Anhalt
Sources
- Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (opens in a new tab)
- Volksstimme — Laternenfest Halle 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- University and course numbers: the Where Is My Uni? catalogue, rebuilt from official university data.
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