Faculty of Economics and Management

International Study Program

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. Rainy periods are usually in November and 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.

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-Tegel:

This is the closest of the large international airports, about 140 km and 1.5 hour train ride from Magdeburg.

Berlin-Schönefeld ("Berlin-Brandenburg International"):

Located as near to Magdeburg as the Tegel airport, Schönefeld is not served by as many airlines as Tegel. From the airport foyer exit, you proceed with the Terminal Shuttle to the Schönefeld train station. From there, you can reach the station Berlin-Ostbahnhof within 20 minutes by commuter trains. From Ostbahnhof, you 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 memebership and you have to cancel it before the new month starts.Otherwise they will take the oney from your account.

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.

*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.

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,..)

https://www.immobilienscout24.de/

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:

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 ).