# Study in Halle (Saale), Saxony-Anhalt

> 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.

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## Cost of living

- Rent: no figure in the 2026 rent study
- 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.
- 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

- **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.

## 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.

## Sources

- [Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg](https://www.uni-halle.de/)
- [Volksstimme — Laternenfest Halle 2026](https://www.volksstimme.de/leben/familie/laternenfest-halle-familienausflug-halle-entenrennen-halle-kinderprogramm-halle-feuerwerk-saalefest-4309344)

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Published by [Where Is My Uni?](https://whereismyuni.com) — every German university on one map. Canonical page: https://whereismyuni.com/study-in/saxony-anhalt/halle. Last updated November 2026. [How we research](https://whereismyuni.com/study-in/how-we-research).