In short
Magdeburg has 3 universities and colleges offering 186 degree courses (77 Bachelor's, 107 Master's), and 39% of them are taught in English or bilingually. A student flat costs about €393 a month (30 m² flat incl. utilities (WG room ≈ €336), MLP Studentenwohnreport 2026). 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.
Magdeburg, the capital of Saxony-Anhalt, is a green city on the Elbe with one of Germany's lowest student rents. Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg is known for engineering, computer science and medicine, and Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences offers practical degrees. It is calm, spacious and well connected to Berlin and Hanover.
Universities in Magdeburg
Every university and college in Magdeburg in our catalogue, biggest first.
- Website of Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (opens in a new tab)
Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg
University 126 courses
- Website of Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences (opens in a new tab)
Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences
University of applied sciences 43 courses
- Website of Steinbeis Hochschule (opens in a new tab)
Steinbeis Hochschule
University of applied sciences 17 courses
Cost of living
What studying in Magdeburg costs, from the latest figures we could source.
- Rent for a student flat
- ≈ €393 / month30 m² flat incl. utilities (WG room ≈ €336), MLP Studentenwohnreport 2026
- 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
- Rent is low enough that many students can afford their own small flat — compare a WG room (about €336) with a 30 m² flat (about €393).
- Look at the university's English-taught engineering and computer-science Master's programmes, which attract many international students.
- Cycle the Elbe Cycle Route — one of Germany's most popular long-distance bike paths runs right through the city.
Industries & employers
Big names that hire graduates, and offer internships and working-student jobs, in and around Magdeburg.
University Hospital Magdeburg
Health
One of the largest employers in Saxony-Anhalt.
Saxony-Anhalt state government
Public sector
Ministries and agencies of the state capital.
GETEC
Energy
Energy-services group headquartered in Magdeburg.
Fraunhofer IFF
Applied research
Institute for factory operation and automation in Magdeburg.
Culture & people
Magdeburg was the seat of Emperor Otto the Great, and its cathedral is the oldest Gothic cathedral in Germany. Much of the city was rebuilt after the war, which gives it wide streets and many parks.
Student life is relaxed: the Elbe banks and the Rotehornpark in summer, the Hasselbachplatz bar district at night, and the colourful Green Citadel by Friedensreich Hundertwasser in the centre.
Events & festivals
Kaiser-Otto-Fest
Early October
Medieval festival around the cathedral square.
Christmas market & Lichterwelt
Late Nov – Dec
Christmas market plus a city-wide light installation.
Places to see
Magdeburg Cathedral
Church
The oldest Gothic cathedral in Germany, with Otto the Great's tomb.
Magdeburg Water Bridge
Engineering
Europe's longest navigable aqueduct, carrying a canal over the Elbe.
Green Citadel
Architecture
Hundertwasser's last building, pink with golden onion domes.
Elbauenpark
Park
Riverside park with the wooden Millennium Tower.
Getting around
Trams and buses (MVB) cover the city. Trains reach Berlin in about 1.5–2 hours and Hanover in about 1.5; Leipzig/Halle Airport and Berlin Airport (BER) are the nearest airports. Check your semester contribution for the included ticket; the Deutschlandticket costs €63 a month.
Student experiences
First-hand posts from students in Magdeburg, read by our team before they appear.
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Studying in Magdeburg: FAQ
Is Magdeburg cheap for students?
Yes — it is one of Germany's cheapest student cities. A 30 m² student flat costs about €393 a month and a shared-flat room about €336 (MLP Studentenwohnreport 2026).
Which universities are in Magdeburg?
Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences and the private Steinbeis University — 186 courses in our catalogue.
Can I study in English in Magdeburg?
Yes. 39% of the courses in our Magdeburg catalogue are taught in English or bilingually, especially engineering and computer-science Master's programmes at Otto von Guericke University.
Do I pay tuition fees in Magdeburg?
No. Public universities in Saxony-Anhalt charge no tuition for EU or non-EU students; only the semester contribution applies.
More guides in Saxony-Anhalt
Sources
- MLP Studentenwohnreport 2026 (IW / MLP) (opens in a new tab)
- Festivals in Deutschland — Kaiser-Otto-Fest Magdeburg (opens in a new tab)
- Magdeburger Weihnachtsmarkt & Lichterwelt (opens in a new tab)
- University and course numbers: the Where Is My Uni? catalogue, rebuilt from official university data.
Ready to find your course in Magdeburg?
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