Magdeburg: In the heart of Germany

Located in the heart of Germany, just 1 ½ hours from Berlin, Magdeburg is a university town situated on the river Elbe. Numerous parks make it an attractive place to live and the historic nature of the 1,200-year-old city means that it has plenty of character.

Magdeburg at a glance

Magdeburger Dom, Foto: WikiCommons/Prinz Willi

Magdeburg, with 230,000 citizens, is the second-largest city in Saxony-Anhalt and its political capital. Besides, the city has a colourful past and a great historical significance. Above all it’s famous as the home and burial place of Otto I, the first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation. It was Otto I who founded the Archdiocese of Magdeburg in 968 and today the city is both Catholic and Protestant episcopal see. The city’s rich history is visible everywhere, just stroll around the city and you will find many historical buildings including the 11th century Monastery of Our Lady, that hosts a museum of fine arts today, or the famous Cathedral of Magdeburg, the oldest gothic church of Germany, where Otto I is buried.
Today Magdeburg is a modern town which economy tilts toward services and nearly 20,000 students attending its two internationally oriented universities. The city is also home to an array of research centres and scores with its proximity to Berlin, Hamburg and Leipzig.

Universities overview

Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg

Uni Magdeburg, Foto: WikiCommons/Gregor Rom

Magdeburg, unlike other cities in Germany, does not have a long university tradition. That, however, does not have to be a disadvantage - on the contrary: Founded in 1993, the Otto-von-Guericke University is one of the most modern institutions for higher learning in Germany. The University is named after one of Magdeburg's most famous sons, whose pioneering research into the vacuum (Magdeburg hemispheres) made him well-known beyond Germany. No wonder that it focuses on natural sciences and engineering but you can study social sciences, economics, management and medicine as well. The university's hospital is prominent in the region, with several cutting-edge research and treatment programmes. And the Technology-Transfer-Centre (TTZ) provides active exchange between research and economy.

Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences
If you want to attend a truly international university, then the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences is your school of choice. The university cultivate contacts with over 100 universities worldwide, offers an international degree and has over 60 exchange programmes. Moreover, it currently oversees and runs Germany's largest education export project: the German-Jordanian University (GJU). Located in Jordan's capital, Amman, the GJU mimics the concept of a German university of applied sciences, providing practice-oriented education to prepare its students for the working world. At its two campuses in Magdeburg and nearby Stendal, its roughly 6,400 students can choose from 30 programs leading to a bachelor's or master's degree.

Recreation in Magdeburg

Grüne Zitadelle, Foto: Magdeburg-Tourist/Werner Klapper

Magdeburg has an active bar and club scene, no wonder that the famous young rockers from the band Tokio Hotel come from here. Magdeburg has also a quiet side with several beautiful parks to offer and you can take a relaxing stroll next to the Elbe River.
The city centre is lovely for anyone but especially if you are a fan of architecture. There are many medieval churches. The most impressive one is the Protestant Cathedral of Saints Catherine and Maurice or Magdeburg Cathedral for short, which at 104 meters is eastern Germany's tallest church. Besides there are several neo-classicist buildings from the Communist era, and modern-day buildings like the Green Citadel, the last project the famous artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser has worked on.
Besides the nightlife, Magdeburg is a city of sports. The traditional club SC Magdeburg is the home of one of Germany's most successful handball teams that became the first German team to win the EHF Champions League. Besides the handball champions there are a lot of internationally known athletes who call Magdeburg their home.