# Study in Harz district, Saxony-Anhalt

> Harz is a rural district (Landkreis) in Saxony-Anhalt with 205,484 people (Destatis, 31 Dec 2024). It has one university: Hochschule Harz, Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften (FH) (Wernigerode). Summers average 18.2 °C and winters 2.1 °C, with about 535 mm of rain a year (DWD, 1991–2020).

Harz is a rural district in Saxony-Anhalt with university towns, historic streets and mountain landscapes.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 205,484 | Destatis, 31 Dec 2024 |
| Area | 2,110.4 km² | Destatis |
| Universities in the district | 1 | Where Is My Uni? catalogue |
| Nearest university | Hochschule Harz, Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften (FH), Wernigerode (14 km) | Where Is My Uni? catalogue |
| Typical student rent | €266 per month — Furnished single room with shared kitchen and corridor bathroom in Wohnheim 4, Wernigerode; includes utilities, internet and TV. Operator’s tariff effective 1 February 2026, checked November 2026. This is a dorm price, not a district average. | [source](https://www.studentenwerk-magdeburg.de/wohnen/wohnheime-ueberblick/wohnheime-wernigerode/) |
| Mean temperature | 9.9 °C (summer 18.2 °C, winter 2.1 °C) | DWD 1991–2020 |
| Rain | 535 mm a year | DWD 1991–2020 |
| Sunshine | 1,683 hours a year | DWD 1991–2020 |

## About Harz district

Harz district stretches from the Brocken and the northeastern Harz mountains into the northern foothills of western Saxony-Anhalt. Halberstadt is its administrative centre; Wernigerode and Quedlinburg are other important towns. The district covers only part of the wider Harz region. ([District background](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landkreis_Harz))

Its attractions range from Quedlinburg’s UNESCO-listed old town to Wernigerode Castle and the Bodetal around Thale. For students, this means historic town centres and outdoor excursions alongside university life in Wernigerode and Halberstadt. ([UNESCO](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/535), [Wernigerode Castle](https://www.schloss-wernigerode.de/), [Bodetal tourism](https://www.bodetal.de/), [University locations](https://www.halberstadt.de/de/studieren.html))

- **Wernigerode**: Home to Hochschule Harz’s business, automation and computer science departments. ([City of Halberstadt](https://www.halberstadt.de/de/studieren.html))
- **Halberstadt**: The district seat and home to Hochschule Harz’s public administration department. ([District background](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landkreis_Harz), [University locations](https://www.halberstadt.de/de/studieren.html))
- **Quedlinburg**: Its collegiate church, castle and timber-framed old town form a UNESCO World Heritage site. ([UNESCO](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/535))
- **Thale**: A base for the Bodetal, Hexentanzplatz and the Harzer Bergtheater. ([Bodetal tourism](https://www.bodetal.de/))

## Universities

Hochschule Harz has campuses in Wernigerode and Halberstadt, so choose housing around your department: business, automation and computer science are in Wernigerode, while public administration is in Halberstadt. ([University locations](https://www.halberstadt.de/de/studieren.html)) A train connection between the towns makes commuting possible, but allow additional time between each station and campus. ([Regional rail connections](https://www.wernigerode-tourismus.de/reiseinfos/anreise/bahn)) This is worth considering if you enjoy smaller-town living, student societies and outdoor weekends; the university lists music, theatre and event-organising groups as ways to meet people. ([Student initiatives](https://www.hs-harz.de/studium/studierendenservice/leben/studentisches-engagement/die-richtige-initiative-fuer-jedes-interesse))

- **Hochschule Harz, Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften (FH)** (Wernigerode) — 31 courses

## Housing

Wernigerode has dedicated student residences, including campus accommodation. The university also lists private housing providers in both campus towns; published options alone do not establish how easy it is to secure a room. ([University housing guide](https://www.hs-harz.de/studium/studierendenservice/leben/wohnen/))

**How to find a place**

- Apply through Studentenwerk Magdeburg’s digital residence application, linked from its Wernigerode residence page. ([Studentenwerk](https://www.studentenwerk-magdeburg.de/wohnen/wohnheime-ueberblick/wohnheime-wernigerode/))
- For Wernigerode, check the university’s listings for Wernigeröder Wohnungsgenossenschaft and Gebäude- und Wohnungsbaugesellschaft Wernigerode. ([University housing guide](https://www.hs-harz.de/studium/studierendenservice/leben/wohnen/))
- For Halberstadt, start with HaWoGe and Wohnungsbaugenossenschaft Halberstadt, both named by the university. ([University housing guide](https://www.hs-harz.de/studium/studierendenservice/leben/wohnen/))
- Search WG-Gesucht, Kleinanzeigen and ImmobilienScout24 for your actual campus town; these portals are also recommended in the university’s housing guidance. ([University housing guide](https://www.hs-harz.de/studium/studierendenservice/leben/wohnen/))

**Student residences**

- [Wohnheim 1, Wernigerode](https://www.studentenwerk-magdeburg.de/wohnen/wohnheime-ueberblick/wohnheime-wernigerode/) (Studentenwerk Magdeburg): Friedrichstraße 57–59; apartments and shared-flat rooms. ([Residence details](https://www.studentenwerk-magdeburg.de/wohnen/wohnheime-ueberblick/wohnheime-wernigerode/))
- [Wohnheim 2, Wernigerode](https://www.studentenwerk-magdeburg.de/wohnen/wohnheime-ueberblick/wohnheime-wernigerode/) (Studentenwerk Magdeburg): Friedrichstraße 57–59; furnished and unfurnished options. ([Residence details](https://www.studentenwerk-magdeburg.de/wohnen/wohnheime-ueberblick/wohnheime-wernigerode/))
- [Wohnheim 3, Wernigerode](https://www.studentenwerk-magdeburg.de/wohnen/wohnheime-ueberblick/wohnheime-wernigerode/) (Studentenwerk Magdeburg): Friedrichstraße 57–59; unfurnished apartments and shared-flat rooms. ([Residence details](https://www.studentenwerk-magdeburg.de/wohnen/wohnheime-ueberblick/wohnheime-wernigerode/))
- [Wohnheim 4, Wernigerode](https://www.studentenwerk-magdeburg.de/wohnen/wohnheime-ueberblick/wohnheime-wernigerode/) (Studentenwerk Magdeburg): Friedrichstraße 54; furnished rooms with shared facilities. ([Residence details](https://www.studentenwerk-magdeburg.de/wohnen/wohnheime-ueberblick/wohnheime-wernigerode/))
- [Wohnheim 5, Wernigerode](https://www.studentenwerk-magdeburg.de/wohnen/wohnheime-ueberblick/wohnheime-wernigerode/) (Studentenwerk Magdeburg): Am Finkenborn 5; furnished and unfurnished shared-flat rooms. ([Residence details](https://www.studentenwerk-magdeburg.de/wohnen/wohnheime-ueberblick/wohnheime-wernigerode/))

## Cost of living

A concrete accommodation benchmark is €266 monthly for a furnished room in Wernigerode’s Wohnheim 4, including utilities and internet. ([Studentenwerk](https://www.studentenwerk-magdeburg.de/wohnen/wohnheime-ueberblick/wohnheime-wernigerode/)) If you need regional trains, budget separately from the university’s local semester ticket, which excludes rail services. ([University transport guidance](https://www.hs-harz.de/hochschule/zielgruppen/informationen-fuer-neue-studierende/faqs/)) The regular Deutschlandticket costs €63 monthly in 2026; the announced price from January 2027 is €66.80. ([Federal government](https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/bundesregierung/bundeskanzleramt/deutschlandticket-2134074)) These provide useful starting points for a budget, but no verified like-for-like comparison with a major city supports a general savings claim.

## Jobs & employers

Healthcare, metal production and hospitality provide different routes into local work. Harzklinikum operates hospitals in Wernigerode, Quedlinburg and Blankenburg, while Ilsenburger Grobblech and TRIMET represent industrial employers. ([Harzklinikum](https://harzklinikum.com/karriere/), [Ilsenburger Grobblech](https://www.ilsenburger-grobblech.de/de), [TRIMET](https://www.trimet.eu/en/trimet/locations/site-harzgerode)) For work alongside study, Wernigerode’s Altwernigeröder Apparthotel explicitly welcomes student applicants, and Harzklinikum’s careers portal includes working-student opportunities. Check the hours and qualifications of each opening. ([Hotel careers](https://www.appart-hotel.de/job-angebote/), [Hospital careers portal](https://harzklinikum.com/jobboerse/))

- Restaurant service and kitchen assistance in Wernigerode hotels and restaurants. ([Hotel careers](https://www.appart-hotel.de/job-angebote/))
- Hotel housekeeping and room preparation. ([Hotel careers](https://www.appart-hotel.de/job-angebote/))
- Hotel reception and guest services, subject to the employer’s requirements. ([Hotel careers](https://www.appart-hotel.de/job-angebote/))
- Working-student roles in marketing and corporate communications at Harzklinikum, when advertised. ([Hospital careers portal](https://harzklinikum.com/jobboerse/))

- **Harzklinikum Dorothea Christiane Erxleben** (Healthcare): Hospital employer with sites in Wernigerode, Quedlinburg and Blankenburg; its careers pages also describe nursing placements and training. ([Harzklinikum](https://harzklinikum.com/karriere/))
- **Ilsenburger Grobblech GmbH** (Steel manufacturing): Produces heavy steel plate at its Ilsenburg site. ([Company website](https://www.ilsenburger-grobblech.de/de))
- **TRIMET Aluminium SE, Harzgerode** (Aluminium recycling): Operates a smelting and recycling plant supplying aluminium alloys in liquid and solid form. ([Harzgerode site](https://www.trimet.eu/en/trimet/locations/site-harzgerode))

## Getting around

Harzer Verkehrsbetriebe runs regional buses across the Wernigerode, Halberstadt and Quedlinburg areas. Check the timetable for the particular village or neighbourhood before choosing housing. ([HVB timetables](https://hvb-harz.de/regionalverkehr/)) Regional trains connect Wernigerode with Halberstadt, Magdeburg, Goslar and Halle; changing at Halberstadt connects with the Quedlinburg–Thale route. ([Rail connections](https://www.wernigerode-tourismus.de/reiseinfos/anreise/bahn)) Published timetable examples put Halberstadt–Wernigerode at roughly 15–20 minutes and Wernigerode–Halle at about 1½ hours, excluding onward local travel; check your departure for engineering changes. ([DB timetable](https://assets.static-bahn.de/dam/jcr:14309545-3c8e-46df-9fd7-c2b809ed5bc5/RE4_RE21_RE24_RB44_RB47%20Goslar-Halberstadt-Aschersleben-Halle.7287a516db2fbe0094f3d1b176c659d0.pdf)) Hochschule Harz’s semester ticket covers specified HVB/HVG buses and Halberstadt trams, but not trains. ([University guidance](https://www.hs-harz.de/hochschule/zielgruppen/informationen-fuer-neue-studierende/faqs/)) A separate Deutschlandticket covers ordinary local and regional public transport; on the Harzer Schmalspurbahnen, the Drei Annen Hohne–Brocken section is excluded. ([HSB ticket conditions](https://www.hsb-wr.de/Fahrplan-Tarife/Deutschlandticket/))

- Station: Halberstadt Hbf — interchange for regional routes towards Wernigerode, Magdeburg and Quedlinburg/Thale. ([Rail connections](https://www.wernigerode-tourismus.de/reiseinfos/anreise/bahn))
- Station: Wernigerode Hbf — regional services towards Goslar, Halberstadt, Magdeburg and Halle. ([Rail connections](https://www.wernigerode-tourismus.de/reiseinfos/anreise/bahn))
- Station: Quedlinburg — regional rail access on the route between Halberstadt and Thale. ([Rail connections](https://www.wernigerode-tourismus.de/reiseinfos/anreise/bahn))
- Nearest airport: Hannover Airport (HAJ) and Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ) — These are the district’s nearby international airport options; the better choice depends on your town and flight. ([District transport background](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landkreis_Harz)) Hannover Airport connects to Hannover Hbf by the S5, taking about 18 minutes; allow additional time for the journey from the Harz. ([Airport directions](https://www.hannover-airport.de/en/traffic-connection/transport-directions/))

## Weather & seasons

- Winter: 2.1 °C, 39 mm rain a month, 2.1 h sun a day
- Spring: 9.4 °C, 44 mm rain a month, 5.7 h sun a day
- Summer: 18.2 °C, 55 mm rain a month, 7 h sun a day
- Autumn: 10.1 °C, 40 mm rain a month, 3.6 h sun a day

Expect cool winters with short daylight hours, a gradually warming spring, generally mild summers and cooler autumn days. The supplied climate reference represents lower-lying Quedlinburg, so do not treat it as a forecast for every mountain outing. For the student calendar, late-April Walpurgis celebrations and Quedlinburg’s Advent weekends offer seasonal excursions. ([Schierke events](https://www.schierke-am-brocken.de/english-information/events/the-walpurgis), [Quedlinburg Advent](https://adventsstadt.quedlinburg-info.de/advent-in-den-hoefen))

## Culture & language

Witch folklore has a visible place in local celebrations: Schierke’s Walpurgis festival combines costumes, music and a medieval-themed market around the end of April. Quedlinburg’s Advent celebrations open historic courtyards for seasonal stalls. ([Walpurgis in Schierke](https://www.schierke-am-brocken.de/english-information/events/the-walpurgis), [Advent in den Höfen](https://adventsstadt.quedlinburg-info.de/advent-in-den-hoefen))

For student social life, start with campus groups. Hochschule Harz lists theatre activities, music societies, DJ workshops and student-organised parties. These are concrete ways to build a social circle; the verified sources do not support describing the district as a major clubbing destination. ([Student initiatives](https://www.hs-harz.de/studium/studierendenservice/leben/studentisches-engagement/die-richtige-initiative-fuer-jedes-interesse))

English can support an exchange semester if you select English-taught courses, but do not assume it will cover every housing or workplace interaction. Hochschule Harz specifies B2 English for its English-taught exchange courses and at least B2 German for German-taught exchange courses, with C1 preferred. It also offers incoming students German-language courses. These are exchange-study requirements; degree applicants should check their programme separately. For everyday life, building conversational German is a sensible priority. ([Exchange course guidance](https://www.hs-harz.de/en/study/exchange-students/study-options/basic-information-on-courses-for-exchange-students))

## Local food

- **Harzer Käse**: A strongly flavoured sour-milk cheese associated with the Harz region; its aroma and texture develop as it matures. ([Background](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harzer_K%C3%A4se))
- **Harzer Baumkuchen**: Layered cake baked over an open flame, with a local baking tradition in Wernigerode. ([Harzer Baumkuchen](https://www.harzer-baumkuchen.de/))

## Events

- **Walpurgis in Schierke** (Late April to early May): A recurring festival of witch folklore, medieval-themed entertainment and live music. The organiser’s 2026 programme ran from 30 April to 2 May. ([Official programme](https://www.schierke-am-brocken.de/english-information/events/the-walpurgis))
- **Advent in den Höfen, Quedlinburg** (The first three Advent weekends, in late November and December): Historic courtyards open for craft and food stalls. The published 2026 dates are 28–29 November, 5–6 December and 12–13 December. ([Official event page](https://adventsstadt.quedlinburg-info.de/advent-in-den-hoefen))

## Places to see

- **Quedlinburg old town and castle hill** (UNESCO): Explore the timber-framed streets and the collegiate church and castle ensemble recognised by UNESCO. ([World Heritage listing](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/535))
- **Wernigerode Castle** (Castle): Museum rooms introduce the lives of the Stolberg-Wernigerode family and the castle’s residential history. ([Castle museum](https://www.schloss-wernigerode.de/))
- **Halberstadt Cathedral and Cathedral Treasury** (Museum): A Gothic cathedral and collection of medieval religious art, including textiles, sculpture and goldsmiths’ work. ([City visitor information](https://www.halberstadt.de/de/domunddomschatz.html))
- **Bodetal and Hexentanzplatz, Thale** (Nature): A destination for walking and exploring the landscape around Thale, with cableways and an outdoor theatre nearby. ([Bodetal tourism](https://www.bodetal.de/))

## FAQ

### Is Harz a good place to live as a student?

Harz is worth considering if you want a university based in smaller towns and access to outdoor activities. Hochschule Harz has student societies and organised parties, while the Bodetal offers walking excursions. ([Student initiatives](https://www.hs-harz.de/studium/studierendenservice/leben/studentisches-engagement/die-richtige-initiative-fuer-jedes-interesse), [Bodetal](https://www.bodetal.de/))

### Is there a university in Harz district?

Yes. Hochschule Harz has business, automation and computer science departments in Wernigerode and a public administration department in Halberstadt. ([City of Halberstadt](https://www.halberstadt.de/de/studieren.html))

### Where should I live when studying at Hochschule Harz?

Start with the town where your department teaches: Wernigerode or Halberstadt. The university lists housing providers for both locations, so check your campus before signing a tenancy. ([University locations](https://www.halberstadt.de/de/studieren.html), [Housing guidance](https://www.hs-harz.de/studium/studierendenservice/leben/wohnen/))

### Is student accommodation in Harz expensive?

One verified option is a furnished room in Wernigerode’s Wohnheim 4 at €266 monthly, including utilities, internet and TV, under the tariff effective February 2026. This is a residence price rather than a private-market average. ([Studentenwerk](https://www.studentenwerk-magdeburg.de/wohnen/wohnheime-ueberblick/wohnheime-wernigerode/))

### Does Hochschule Harz’s semester ticket include trains?

No. The university describes coverage for specified HVB/HVG buses and Halberstadt trams, while excluding train connections; regional rail commuting therefore needs a separate valid ticket. ([University transport guidance](https://www.hs-harz.de/hochschule/zielgruppen/informationen-fuer-neue-studierende/faqs/))

### What jobs can students find in Harz?

Local examples include hotel service, kitchen assistance, housekeeping and reception work; Wernigerode’s Altwernigeröder Apparthotel explicitly welcomes student applicants. Harzklinikum also advertises working-student roles through its careers portal, with availability changing over time. ([Hotel careers](https://www.appart-hotel.de/job-angebote/), [Harzklinikum jobs](https://harzklinikum.com/jobboerse/))

## Sources

- [Harz district geography and transport background](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landkreis_Harz)
- [City of Halberstadt: university locations](https://www.halberstadt.de/de/studieren.html)
- [Hochschule Harz: housing guidance](https://www.hs-harz.de/studium/studierendenservice/leben/wohnen/)
- [Studentenwerk Magdeburg: Wernigerode residences and 2026 rents](https://www.studentenwerk-magdeburg.de/wohnen/wohnheime-ueberblick/wohnheime-wernigerode/)
- [Hochschule Harz: new-student FAQs and semester ticket](https://www.hs-harz.de/hochschule/zielgruppen/informationen-fuer-neue-studierende/faqs/)
- [Hochschule Harz: exchange course language guidance](https://www.hs-harz.de/en/study/exchange-students/study-options/basic-information-on-courses-for-exchange-students)
- [Hochschule Harz: student initiatives](https://www.hs-harz.de/studium/studierendenservice/leben/studentisches-engagement/die-richtige-initiative-fuer-jedes-interesse)
- [Harzklinikum: careers and hospital locations](https://harzklinikum.com/karriere/)
- [Harzklinikum: careers portal](https://harzklinikum.com/jobboerse/)
- [Ilsenburger Grobblech: company website](https://www.ilsenburger-grobblech.de/de)
- [TRIMET: Harzgerode recycling plant](https://www.trimet.eu/en/trimet/locations/site-harzgerode)
- [Altwernigeröder Apparthotel: student employment](https://www.appart-hotel.de/job-angebote/)
- [Harzer Verkehrsbetriebe: regional timetables](https://hvb-harz.de/regionalverkehr/)
- [Wernigerode tourism: rail connections](https://www.wernigerode-tourismus.de/reiseinfos/anreise/bahn)
- [DB: Goslar–Halberstadt–Halle regional timetable](https://assets.static-bahn.de/dam/jcr:14309545-3c8e-46df-9fd7-c2b809ed5bc5/RE4_RE21_RE24_RB44_RB47%20Goslar-Halberstadt-Aschersleben-Halle.7287a516db2fbe0094f3d1b176c659d0.pdf)
- [Harzer Schmalspurbahnen: Deutschlandticket conditions](https://www.hsb-wr.de/Fahrplan-Tarife/Deutschlandticket/)
- [Federal government: Deutschlandticket prices](https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/bundesregierung/bundeskanzleramt/deutschlandticket-2134074)
- [Hannover Airport: public transport directions](https://www.hannover-airport.de/en/traffic-connection/transport-directions/)
- [UNESCO: Quedlinburg World Heritage site](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/535)
- [Wernigerode Castle museum](https://www.schloss-wernigerode.de/)
- [City of Halberstadt: cathedral and treasury](https://www.halberstadt.de/de/domunddomschatz.html)
- [Bodetal tourism](https://www.bodetal.de/)
- [Schierke: Walpurgis festival](https://www.schierke-am-brocken.de/english-information/events/the-walpurgis)
- [Quedlinburg: Advent in den Höfen](https://adventsstadt.quedlinburg-info.de/advent-in-den-hoefen)
- [Harzer Käse background](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harzer_K%C3%A4se)
- [Harzer Baumkuchen: Wernigerode bakery](https://www.harzer-baumkuchen.de/)
- [Commons: Quedlinburg market square](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Quedlinburg_Marktplatz.jpg)
- [Commons: Wernigerode panorama](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wernigerode_Panorama_vom_Schloss_by_Stepro.jpg)
- [Commons: Bodetal landscape](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blick_ins_Bodetal_von_der_Nordseite_-_panoramio.jpg)

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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/harz-district. Last updated November 2026. [How we research](https://whereismyuni.com/study-in/how-we-research).