Lüneburg: Study on the Heathland

Lüneburg is located on low-lying heathland. There are no hills in this region not to mention mountains but a great university. Thanks to its excellent and innovative teaching and organisational structures, at Leuphana university you get a clear and comprehensive view of your area of study.

by Christoph Berger

Lüneburg at a glance

"Am Sande" Square, Photo: Lüneburg Marketing GmbH

At the edge of the Lüneburg Heath, between Hamburg and Hanover the city of Lüneburg rises from the flat plains. Just over 73,000 people live in the city, which only centuries ago, had been an economic powerhouse thanks to its salt deposits. Today, Lüneburg is steadily becoming a major service providing centre. This is due in large part to the expansion and growing importance of its university. The handicraft sector and small and medium-sized companies also play a significant role in the city’s business life.
The historic downtown of Lüneburg is full of beautiful brickstone houses. Many of them have been errected way back in the middle ages. At Ochsenmarkt you'll find a very special building: The house of Heinrich Heine. Although it was named after the famous German writer, he himself has never lived here but his parents only. A while ago the register office moved in on the ground floor, marrying lots of happy couples. Meanwhile the Literaturbüro settled in on the first foor.
The three city churches – St. John’s am Sande, St. Michael’s and St. Nikolai’s – are especially impressive. As landmarks, they have strongly shaped the city’s image, and because of their height, also serve as points of orientation for inhabitants and visitors throughout Lüneburg.

Universities Overview

Leuphana University of Lüneburg

Logo of Leuphana University, Photo: Leuphana

The campus of Leuphana University is located on a former military complex. Fortunately, very little exists of the military drills which used to be held there. Perhaps the only vestige of its past is the orderly and austere arrangement of the buildings. But even this has been loosened up by new buildings, flooded with natural light, and highly modern facilities, which beg to be used for research and instruction. One can say without hesitation that this university is positioned on the pulse of our times and offers all the amenities and support services you need for a successful academic career.
About 7,000 students are enrolled at the university. Lectures and seminars are given by 170 professors, 400 academic staff members and 320 guest lecturers. The university is organised into four faculties (Education, Culture, Sustainability and Economy), five research centres, a “Center for Methods” and three interfaculty centres.

Recreation in Lüneburg

Lüneburg Stint market, Photo: Lüneburg Marketing GmbH

Every Friday there’s a big campus party at the university. Because lots of students leave the city at the weekend, Wednesday is also regarded as “party day”. Especially Schröderstraße is very popular among students. There you’ll find one café and bar after another. Another place where many students go is "Am Stintmarkt", the historic quarter at the harbour directly across from the Alten Kran.
There are a lot of places in the historic city centre where you can go out with friends. And not only that, but the entire downtown district is one big pedestrian zone lined with hundreds of shops and stores. That’s where you can shop till you drop!
If you’re interested in soaking up some culture, you might want to attend a show at the Theater Lüneburg or visit one of the city’s many museums. Jazz evenings are held at the Kulturforum. And movie fans will discover a wide selection of films at three different cinemas. The Salon Hansen organises poetry slams, readings and concerts. And the Literaturbüro Lüneburg hosts interesting events for literature lovers on a regular basis.
The only little problem is the public transportation situation. The last bus leaves around 8 pm. Of course, you can easily bike to most places in the city. There are also a number of shared taxis available in the middle of the night, so you won’t get stuck without a ride.
Although there’s so much going on, students in Lüneburg like making plans on their own and often meet with friends at home. They like inviting each other to dinner or small get-togethers or just spending an evening enjoying good conversation. If you really want to party with the best of them and Lüneburg doesn’t do it for you, you can take a 30-minute train ride to Hamburg with its 1.8 million inhabitants.

Heath with half-timber house, Photo: Presse

If you’re the kind of person who needs nature and exercise to wind down after a stressful day at the university, then you’ll find it all at the doorstep to the city. The paths through the beautiful heath, woods and moors of the Lüneburg Heath National Park provide cyclers and hikers ample opportunity to have fun and enjoy nature. If you still have room in your head for more information after studying the whole day, you can learn some interesting facts on guided tours through this unique landscape.
Finding good accommodation in Lüneburg is easy. Large one-room flats (over 20 m²) with a bathroom and kitchen are available right around the corner from the university starting at only 270 euros a month. Of course, you can also take a room at one of the student halls of residence. Depending on the size and type of room, rental prices range from 117 to 700 euros per month. For 700 euros, you can rent a four-room family-sized apartment.

Interview with Selin Sener from Turkey

Selin Sener, 26 years old, is a fourth-semester student at Leuphana University and is majoring in Business Administration and minoring in E-Business.

Selin, Photo: Berger/DAAD

You come from Turkey. What brought you to Lüneburg?
When I was studying German Studies in Turkey, it became exceedingly clear that literature was definitely not my thing! My goal had always been Business Administration, but because of the structure of the university system in my home country, I was forced to take German Studies. In the winter of 2009, I went to visit my boyfriend in Hamburg, who was also studying at Leuphana. A short trip to Lüneburg was all it took to convince me to study at Leuphana.

How do you like the university?
I study at Leuphana because of the diverse opportunities which its interdisciplinary programme offers. The students are very friendly and open. I find it extremely easy to get into contact with other students and the professors. And on the main campus, you can take care of errands between your lectures. For example, right near campus there are places to go shopping, there’s a book store, a copy shop, a hair salon and a bank.

How do you like Lüneburg?
I feel quite at home here. The town is really beautiful in the spring and summertime. I’ve also come to appreciate the location of the city, the proximity to Hamburg, and the unique charm of a campus-style university.

What is your student life like?
When I’m not taking classes or studying, I’m always working to earn money. Whatever time I have left, I spend with friends and we enjoy our free time together. The great thing about this city and the university is that everything is always well organised and you can always find something that interests you.

What are your plans for the near future?
I’ve haven’t made up my mind whether I’ll try to get my master’s or not. I’ll probably make that decision in my fifth semester. But as for staying in Germany after graduation – that’s certain!

Do you have any favourite places in Lüneburg?
Yes, that would definitely be the Stint, the bike route along the Ilmenau and the Kurpark. Those three places are simply made for relaxing.

What else have you discovered about the city?
Lüneburg is very small. The timetables for public transportation are extremely well planned, that is, except on Sundays. On Sundays, the busses start running around 1 pm. But most places are in walking distance anyway.