City & Housing
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What is Magdeburg like?
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How is the climate in Magdeburg?
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Is there any travel preparation advice?
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Flight directions and arrival in Magdeburg
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Living expenses in Magdeburg?
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Private housing market in Magdeburg
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Where can I find second-hand/ affordable furniture?
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Does every student automatically receive a student dorm/apartment on campus?
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What is Studentenwerk/ Student Union?
Magdeburg is a medium-sized university city with approximately 230,000 inhabitants. It is the capital city of Saxony-Anhalt - one of the 16 German federal states. Magdeburg is situated on the banks of the Elbe river, right in the middle of Germany and about 150 km west of the country's capital city Berlin. It has a convenient public transport infrastructure and is well suited for biking. Magdeburg has many green spaces and parks. For more information, please refer to the Magdeburg homepage or to the city map.
Typically, we have a moderate climate in Magdeburg. The difference among the seasons is a very nice aspect of life in Germany. Gray sky periods are usually in November/December and March/April. Please expect periods of cold weather from the middle of November through beginning of March. Day temperatures during this time period are around 0 to 5 C, but can fall to -15 C in very cold winters. Summer temperatures vary between 25 and 35 degrees C in June, July, and August. The humidity is usually low. For current temperatures, take a look online at the weather forecast for Magdeburg. Different weather conditions because of the current climate change applies.
The preparation process can be overwhelming. Luckily, the DAAD, the German service organization for the international academic exchange, provides international students with an assortment of information regarding their arrival into the country. To learn more about the first steps after your arrival, visit: https://www.study-in.de/en/
There are four airports which we recommend for your trip to Magdeburg.
Berlin-Schönefeld ("Berlin-Brandenburg International"):
Located as near to Magdeburg, From the BER airport, you proceed with the S-Bahn to the station Berlin-Hauptbahnhof and proceed to Magdeburg by the regular train of Deutsche Bahn.
Leipzig-Halle:
A new and aspiring international hub, 120 km from Magdeburg and situated 18 km north-west of the city of Leipzig. Regular, hourly intercity trains run to and from Magdeburg (travel time: 1 hour). The airport railway station is located on the premises of the airport.
Hanover:
From the Hanover airport, there is a direct bus and an S-Bahn going to Hanover Hauptbahnhof. It takes about 20-30 minutes. Most connections are direct, while a few require a transfer in Braunschweig or Stendal. The travel time is about 90 minutes.
Destinations such as Munich, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, or Frankfurt are also possible, but farther away from Magdeburg.
We recommend to order the Deutschlandticket, currently 49,00€ monthly for regional trains (Berlin track: RE1 included ). Observe, that this is a yearly membership and you have to cancel it before the new month starts.Otherwise they will take the oney from your account. Starting from October 2024 this ticket is included in your student enrollment fee, but you need to proof your studentn ID to the staff of DB. The studentn ID card is available only in person on campus upon your arrival and city registration.
Living in Magdeburg is pleasant and financially affordable. It is just the right place for students to adapt to the study life in Germany and to have some fun. Apartments are available all year around. Even Germans like the real estate market in Magdeburg, because prices are typically low and there is a wide selection. Try to find accommodations with heating, electricity, internet ect. included. These costs are usually quite high in Germany. However, be informed that it is not easy to find already furnished apartments. To find furniture, there are many second hand shops around the campus.
Below you find a brief overview of potential living expenses in Magdeburg.
August 2024 | cost €/month | cost €/year |
University tuition |
0.00 subsidized by German government |
0.00 |
(including free local public transport in Magdeburg, discount on student meals, |
277, 50 each semester |
550,50 |
Health/ medical insurance |
ca. 130,00 |
1560,00 |
Housing |
ca. 350,00 - 400,00 |
ca. 4.800,00 |
Food* |
ca. 500,00 |
ca 5.000,00 |
TV fee (GEZ) by law |
18.50 |
ca 226,00 |
Personal expenses (party, cinema, theatre, sport etc.) |
ca 400.00 |
ca 4,000 |
Books / study supplies |
ca 150 per semester |
ca 300,00 |
*A one-course meal in the university canteen is approx. 3,50 €. Drinks are not included.
We recommend arriving in the middle of September to make sure that you find proper accommodation. Booking a hostel or youth hotel during your first days in Magdeburg may be necessary while you search for permanent accommodations. Please contact the SIMP-SON team. They will assist you on a voluntary basis.
There are many housing associations (Wohnungsbaugesellschaften, or Wohnungsgenossenschaften, WG) in Magdeburg with a number of available apartments.
Please be informed that in Germany the apartments are not furnished normally.furnished apartments request a higher lease.
Name | Website |
Wohnungsbau-Gesellschaft Magdeburg mbH (!) | www.wobau-magdeburg.de |
MWG Wohnungsgenossenschaft e.G | www.mwgeg.de |
WBG "Otto-von-Guericke" eG | www.guericke.de |
WBG Magdeburg 1995 eG | www.wgm1995.de |
WBG "Post und Energie" eG | www.postundenergie.de |
WBG Stadt Magdeburg von 1954 eG | www.wbg1954.de |
GRUNDTEC GmbH (!) (private dormitory-rooms right on Campus) |
http://grundtec-portal.de/ |
Some of these associations require a membership. Please ask for details.
* Ebay Kleinanzeigen
Apartment-sharing community (Wohngemeinschaft/WG)
https://www.wg-gesucht.de/
https://www.studenten-wg.de/
www.lorenzquartier.de (Check for prizes. Includes furnishing, water, garbagge, electricity,..)
Once you have accomodations, you may want something to sit on, sleep in, or turn on for lighting. If your apartment/room isn't furnished already (very common in Germany), please check out shops and newspaper advertisements. There are many possibilities in Magdeburg to purchase cheap furniture. We recommend bringing an inflatable air mattress to make sure that you have a place to sleep for the first week.
Second hand stores, where you can find inexpensive furnishings:
Name | Address | Office Hours | Homepage |
Help 2000 | Lüneburger Straße | Mo-Fr | |
Ebay, Fleah Markets |
No, the number of apartments is limited and they are provided to the applicants on a first come, first serve basis. Therefore, make sure that you arrive in Germany well before the beginning of the winter semester (e.g. middle of September ).
Your partner in everything all around studies! The Studentenwerk Magdeburg will guide you through life on campus and at the study sites of Magdeburg. Whether it is dining in our canteens and cafeterias, a home in our student halls, advice & forms for financing your studies, help with stress and problems, promotion of student cultural projects or taking care of your children . the Studentenwerk is there for you.
Service: Dormitories, Counseling, Canteen, Cafeteria, Art Workshops, Day Care for families, Student Events, Bafög
On-campus accommodations are available from the Student Union upon application, but only a limited number of dorms are available. Students who wish to live in one of the university's residence halls shall apply online on the website. Rooms in the on-campus residence halls - some furnished, some unfurnished - have a size of 11 to 15 square meters. Shared versus private bathrooms and kitchens vary from dorm to dorm. Pillows, blankets, and sheets are typically not provided and are the responsibility of the tenant.