In short
Nordhausen is a rural district (Landkreis) in Thuringia with 80,762 people (Destatis, 31 Dec 2024). It has one university: Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences (Nordhausen). Summers average 16.7 °C and winters 0.6 °C, with about 625 mm of rain a year (DWD, 1991–2020).
Nordhausen district in numbers
- Population
- Area
713.91 km²Destatis 2024 (opens in a new tab)
- People per km²
- Universities in the district
1Where Is My Uni? catalogue (opens in a new tab)
Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences
- Typical student rent
€222–€341 per monthSource (opens in a new tab)
Published monthly rent range for furnished single rooms in shared flats at Weinberghof 6/6a, as listed on Studierendenwerk Thüringen's undated residence page; checked November 2026. This is a residence-specific range, not a private-market average.
- Average temperature
8.5 °C a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
- Rain
625 mm a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
- Sunshine
1,500 hours a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
- Frost days
128 a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
About Nordhausen district
Nordhausen district lies in northern Thuringia, bordering Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. Nordhausen town is its administrative centre; smaller centres include Bleicherode, Ellrich, Heringen/Helme and Harztor. The district combines small-town settlements with the southern Harz landscape. (District background (opens in a new tab))
Its character combines industry and countryside: Bleicherode has a strong potash-mining heritage, while Nordhausen retains its tradition of distilling rye-based Korn spirits. The Südharz Nature Park introduces visitors to the area's distinctive gypsum-karst landscape. (Bleicherode (opens in a new tab), Traditionsbrennerei (opens in a new tab), Naturpark Südharz (opens in a new tab))
Main towns
Nordhausen
District seat and university town, with the Hochschule campus at Weinberghof. (District background (opens in a new tab), University campus (opens in a new tab))
Bleicherode
Former potash-mining town whose industrial past remains visible in its mining infrastructure and spoil heap. (Bleicherode (opens in a new tab))
Ellrich
A smaller town with regional trains connecting it to Nordhausen and the route towards Göttingen. (DB timetable (opens in a new tab))
Heringen/Helme
Home to Schloss Heringen, with exhibitions on the castle and the archaeology of the Goldene Aue. (Municipal museum (opens in a new tab))
Harztor
Its Neustadt locality houses the Südharz Nature Park administration and an interactive exhibition about the region. (Naturpark Südharz (opens in a new tab))
Universities here
Universities in Nordhausen district, biggest first.
Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences is the local study option, with its campus at Weinberghof in Nordhausen town. Living in town is the practical starting point for attending classes there. (University campus (opens in a new tab)) Other nearby university towns include Wernigerode, Clausthal-Zellerfeld and Göttingen. For Göttingen, direct regional trains take roughly 90 minutes station to station, before onward travel to campus; that makes daily commuting a substantial commitment. (DB timetable (opens in a new tab)) Consider Nordhausen if you want a smaller study base and opportunities to spend free time outdoors.
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences
University of applied sciences · Nordhausen · 30 courses
Housing
Student residences provide relatively modest published entry prices, but availability should not be assumed. The university explicitly warns that residence places are limited and recommends applying early while also searching the private market. There is insufficient evidence to describe the entire district's rental market as relaxed. (University housing advice (opens in a new tab))
The typical student rent we found, and what that figure covers, is in the key facts.
How to find a place
- Apply early for a Studierendenwerk Thüringen residence and search for alternatives at the same time. (University housing advice (opens in a new tab))
- Check WBG Südharz and SWG Nordhausen, both recommended in the university's local housing guide. (University housing guide (opens in a new tab))
- Use WG-Gesucht's Nordhausen listings for shared flats; the university also points students towards Studizentrum and Studentenhotel Nordhausen. (University housing guide (opens in a new tab))
- Before renting outside town, check the journey to Hochschule and the return service after classes. The operator publishes separate city and regional bus timetables. (Local timetables (opens in a new tab))
Student residences
Weinberghof 5/5a (opens in a new tab)
Studierendenwerk Thüringen
Furnished shared-flat rooms and individual apartments; accessible accommodation is also listed. (Residence details (opens in a new tab))
Weinberghof 6/6a (opens in a new tab)
Studierendenwerk Thüringen
Furnished single rooms in shared flats, with shared kitchens and bathrooms. (Residence details (opens in a new tab))
Weinberghof 7 (opens in a new tab)
Studierendenwerk Thüringen
Furnished shared-flat accommodation with laundry facilities and bicycle storage in the building. (Residence details (opens in a new tab))
Weinberghof 13 (opens in a new tab)
Studierendenwerk Thüringen
Furnished rooms in shared flats, with laundry facilities in a nearby residence. (Residence details (opens in a new tab))
Weinberghof 14/14a (opens in a new tab)
Studierendenwerk Thüringen
Furnished shared-flat rooms; the operator also lists a larger room that can accommodate two students. (Residence details (opens in a new tab))
Bochumer Straße 32 (opens in a new tab)
Studierendenwerk Thüringen
Furnished rooms in shared flats, with shared kitchens and bathrooms and bicycle parking. (Residence details (opens in a new tab))
Cost of living
Start your budget with an actual room offer: Weinberghof 6/6a currently lists monthly rents of €222–€341 and a €300 deposit. (Studierendenwerk (opens in a new tab)) The university's fee page, checked November 2026, lists a standard semester contribution of €326.80, or €346.80 for first-semester students, including the Deutschlandsemesterticket; confirm your enrolment invoice because the page still refers to summer semester 2026. (Semester contribution (opens in a new tab)) The ordinary Deutschlandticket costs €63 per month during 2026 for people without an included semester ticket. (Local transport operator (opens in a new tab)) Residence housing offers a useful low-cost option, but a reliable overall price comparison with larger cities was not established.
Jobs & employers
Healthcare, energy services and engineering provide concrete local employment routes. Südharz Klinikum offers placements and dual-study opportunities, while Energieversorgung Nordhausen and SOKRATHERM explicitly invite working students. These are useful starting points for relevant experience, although an employer's student programme does not guarantee an immediately available position. (Südharz Klinikum (opens in a new tab), EVN (opens in a new tab), SOKRATHERM (opens in a new tab))
Typical student jobs
- Working-student roles in business administration and IT at Energieversorgung Nordhausen. (EVN (opens in a new tab))
- Technical and engineering working-student roles in the local energy sector. (EVN (opens in a new tab))
- Energy-technology working-student projects involving combined heat and power at SOKRATHERM. (SOKRATHERM (opens in a new tab))
- Student and holiday work at vehicle and automation engineering company IGENO. (IGENO careers (opens in a new tab))
Major employers
Südharz Klinikum Nordhausen (opens in a new tab)
Healthcare
A major hospital employer in Nordhausen and an academic teaching hospital of Jena University Hospital; it offers internships, dual study and medical placements. (Careers (opens in a new tab))
Energieversorgung Nordhausen (opens in a new tab)
Energy supply
Local energy company advertising working-student opportunities in business, IT, technology and engineering, alongside dual study. (Student opportunities (opens in a new tab))
SOKRATHERM (opens in a new tab)
Combined heat and power engineering
Operates in Nordhausen and accepts enquiries for internships, working-student positions and dissertations related to energy technology. (Student opportunities (opens in a new tab))
IGENO Fahrzeug- und Automatisierungstechnik (opens in a new tab)
Manufacturing and automation
Nordhausen company working in metal and plastics processing; its careers page explicitly includes student and holiday jobs. (Careers (opens in a new tab))
Getting around
Nordhausen has trams, city buses and regional buses. Bus A links Bahnhofsplatz with the Hochschule campus; tram route 10 connects Nordhausen with Niedersachswerfen and Ilfeld. Check the operator's current timetable for diversions and village connections. (Local timetables (opens in a new tab)) Direct RB80 journeys to Göttingen take about 90 minutes in the published timetable, while Ellrich is around 15–20 minutes away. (DB timetable (opens in a new tab)) Regional services also connect Nordhausen and Erfurt. (DB Nordthüringenbahn (opens in a new tab)) The Deutschlandsemesterticket covers ordinary local buses, trams and second-class regional trains nationwide, but not ICE or IC services. (Ticket conditions (opens in a new tab))
- Main stations
- Nordhausen — the principal regional rail interchange and connection point for city transport. (University travel information (opens in a new tab))
- Ellrich — regional services on the route between Nordhausen and Göttingen. (DB timetable (opens in a new tab))
- Bleicherode Ost — served by regional trains on the Halle–Hann. Münden railway. (Bleicherode (opens in a new tab))
- Nearest airport
Erfurt-Weimar Airport
The nearest commercial airport to Nordhausen town. Compare available flights with the other airports listed by the university, including Leipzig/Halle, Hannover and Frankfurt, before choosing your arrival airport. (Nordhausen transport background (opens in a new tab), University arrival advice (opens in a new tab))
Weather & seasons
Long-term averages from the German Weather Service station Sachsa, Bad (15 km from the district centre), 1991–2020.
Winter
0.6 °C
53 mm rain a month
1.6 h sun a day
Spring
8.1 °C
46 mm rain a month
5.2 h sun a day
Summer
16.7 °C
60 mm rain a month
6.5 h sun a day
Autumn
8.6 °C
50 mm rain a month
3.1 h sun a day
Expect cold winters with frequent frost, a gradually warming spring and generally moderate summers. Bring waterproof layers for outdoor trips and warm clothing for the winter semester. Spring through autumn gives you more comfortable conditions for exploring the Südharz; the nature park also organises walks and activities in the colder months. (Nature park programme (opens in a new tab))
Culture, language & food
Nordhausen's identity includes its past as a free imperial city, Korn distilling and a longstanding theatre tradition. The theatre offers a cultural starting point, while the Rolandsfest brings a recurring public celebration into the town centre. For social life, plan around university activities, performances and individual events; a comprehensive late-night venue guide was not verified. (Nordhausen background (opens in a new tab), Distilling tradition (opens in a new tab), Event calendar (opens in a new tab))
Treat English as a starting point and plan to build German for housing, everyday administration and work. As a practical learning target, aim for B1 for greater everyday independence and B2 for more demanding workplace conversations; these are recommendations, not universal admission requirements. The university offers German-as-a-foreign-language courses for international students. (University language information (opens in a new tab)) Nordhausen's traditional dialect is North Thuringian. (Local language background (opens in a new tab))
Local food
Nordhäuser Korn
The town's characteristic rye-based spirit. The Traditionsbrennerei explains its production and offers visits and tastings. (Traditionsbrennerei (opens in a new tab))
Thüringer Bratwurst
A regional sausage speciality also made locally: Brennecke's smokehouse in Harztor lists it among its products. (Brennecke (opens in a new tab))
Nordhäuser Knackwurst
A local sausage option; Brennecke lists a garlic-seasoned Nordhausen version alongside other traditionally smoked meats. (Brennecke (opens in a new tab))
Places & events
Places to see
Naturpark Südharz
Nature
Explore the southern Harz landscape and learn about its gypsum karst at the park's interactive exhibition in Neustadt. (Nature park (opens in a new tab))
Schloss Heringen
Castle and museum
A castle museum covering local aristocratic history and archaeological discoveries from the Goldene Aue. (Municipal museum (opens in a new tab))
KZ-Gedenkstätte Mittelbau-Dora
Memorial
A place of remembrance and historical learning at the former concentration camp near Nordhausen. Its exhibitions address the camp system and forced labour; the underground tunnels are accessible only on a guided visit. (Exhibitions (opens in a new tab), Visitor information (opens in a new tab))
Echter Nordhäuser Traditionsbrennerei
Industrial heritage
A working introduction to Nordhausen's Korn-distilling tradition, with museum visits and guided experiences. (Official visitor information (opens in a new tab))
Events
Nordhäuser Rolandsfest (opens in a new tab)
June
The town's annual civic festival; the 2026 calendar lists it for 12–14 June. Future editions should be checked individually. (Nordhausen background (opens in a new tab), 2026 event calendar (opens in a new tab))
Nordhäuser Weihnachtsmarkt (opens in a new tab)
Late November–December
The Christmas market provides a seasonal outing in Nordhausen. The published 2026 dates are 27 November–20 December. (2026 event calendar (opens in a new tab))
Courtyard and well within the Hohnstein castle ruins near Neustadt
View from the tower of Hohnstein castle ruins near Neustadt in the Harz
Student experiences
First-hand posts from students in Nordhausen district, read by our team before they appear.
Loading experiences…
Studying in Nordhausen district: FAQ
Is Nordhausen a good place to live as a student?
Consider Nordhausen if you want to study locally and value access to countryside: the university is based in town, and the Südharz Nature Park offers nearby outdoor activities. Your choice should also account for housing availability and the journey from your address to campus. (University campus (opens in a new tab), Nature park (opens in a new tab))
Is there a university in Nordhausen district?
Yes. Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences is located at Weinberghof in Nordhausen town. (University campus (opens in a new tab))
How long does the train from Nordhausen to Göttingen take?
Direct RB80 journeys take approximately 90 minutes in the published timetable. Allow additional time for travel between the stations and your home or university building, and check for timetable changes before travelling. (DB timetable (opens in a new tab))
How much is student accommodation in Nordhausen?
Weinberghof 6/6a lists furnished shared-flat rooms at €222–€341 per month, checked November 2026. This is a specific residence's published range, not the average rent across Nordhausen. (Studierendenwerk Thüringen (opens in a new tab))
What jobs can students find in Nordhausen?
Verified routes include working-student roles in business, IT and engineering at Energieversorgung Nordhausen, energy-technology projects at SOKRATHERM, and student or holiday jobs at IGENO. Check the employer's current opportunities and requirements before applying. (EVN (opens in a new tab), SOKRATHERM (opens in a new tab), IGENO (opens in a new tab))
Can I study in Nordhausen without a car?
A car-free routine is practical to investigate in Nordhausen town: bus A connects Bahnhofsplatz with the Hochschule campus, and the town has tram services. For accommodation elsewhere in the district, check the specific regional route and your return journey before signing a lease. (Local timetables (opens in a new tab))
More guides
Sources & photo credits
Last updated November 2026. Population and area: Destatis. Weather: Deutscher Wetterdienst. Universities and courses: our catalogue. Everything else was researched from the sources below and checked — how we research these guides.
Sources
- Nordhausen district background (opens in a new tab)
- Nordhausen town: culture, language and transport (opens in a new tab)
- Bleicherode: industrial heritage and railway (opens in a new tab)
- University campus and arrival information (opens in a new tab)
- University housing and international student guidance (opens in a new tab)
- University semester contribution (opens in a new tab)
- Residence Weinberghof 5/5a (opens in a new tab)
- Residence Weinberghof 6/6a and rent (opens in a new tab)
- Residence Weinberghof 7 (opens in a new tab)
- Residence Weinberghof 13 (opens in a new tab)
- Residence Weinberghof 14/14a (opens in a new tab)
- Residence Bochumer Straße 32 (opens in a new tab)
- Südharz Klinikum careers (opens in a new tab)
- Energieversorgung Nordhausen student opportunities (opens in a new tab)
- SOKRATHERM student opportunities (opens in a new tab)
- IGENO careers (opens in a new tab)
- Nordhausen bus and tram timetables (opens in a new tab)
- Nordhausen operator: Deutschlandticket (opens in a new tab)
- Deutschlandsemesterticket coverage (opens in a new tab)
- DB regional timetable: Nordhausen–Göttingen (opens in a new tab)
- DB Nordthüringenbahn (opens in a new tab)
- Naturpark Südharz (opens in a new tab)
- Schloss Heringen municipal museum (opens in a new tab)
- Mittelbau-Dora exhibitions (opens in a new tab)
- Mittelbau-Dora visitor information (opens in a new tab)
- Echter Nordhäuser Traditionsbrennerei (opens in a new tab)
- Brennecke regional sausage specialities (opens in a new tab)
- IHK Erfurt: 2026 local event calendar (opens in a new tab)
- Commons: Nordhausen Stadthaus photograph (opens in a new tab)
- Commons: Hohnstein castle courtyard photograph (opens in a new tab)
- Commons: view from Hohnstein castle (opens in a new tab)
Photo credits
- The Stadthaus in central Nordhausen — Vincent Eisfeld (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Courtyard and well within the Hohnstein castle ruins near Neustadt — Greedragon (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 3.0
- View from the tower of Hohnstein castle ruins near Neustadt in the Harz — Eduardo Manchon (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 3.0
Ready to find your course in Nordhausen district?
Open the map on Nordhausen district: every university, every course, filtered by degree, subject, language and cost — free.