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Tiergarten bridge over the Mulde River with the Dessau city centre in the background
©iStock.com/Animaflora

Studying in Dessau

Dessau offers you 4 degree programmes in English at 1 higher education institution.

Dessau-Rosslau is a small town, but world-famous for its UNESCO world heritage sites Bauhausgebäude and Meisterhäuser. Architecture lovers from all around the world visit this town and the local higher education institution offers renowned, international degree programmes in architecture and design. And if you are in the mood for a more metropolitan feeling: Leipzig and Berlin can be reached within less than an hour.

Dessau-Rosslau hosts around 1,800 students at its one higher education institution. The University of Applied Sciences Anhalt has three different locations, including Bernburg and Köthen, but the one in Dessau is where design and architecture-related courses take place. This is the main reason students come to study in Dessau-Rosslau. This town has gained worldwide recognition for its iconic Bauhaus architecture. These buildings were groundbreaking in the mid-1920s. If you want to explore the Bauhaus buildings on your first days in town, simply follow the dedicated cycle route or just take one of the public buses.

With a population of over 79,000, Dessau-Rosslau is not a big city. If you want that atmosphere, then you won’t have to travel far. As previously mentioned, Leipzig and Berlin can be reached easily. What Dessau-Rosslau can offer you is a calm and relaxing place to study. Partially surrounded by two rivers, Elbe and Mulde, nature is abundant. Rest after class at one of the numerous parks that are located between Dessau-Rosslau and the town of Wörlitz – you’ll have quite the regal backdrop, there are multiple castles and palaces. In the summer, you can take a swim in one of the lakes that are nearby.

Life in Dessau

79,000 residents

  • High-speed train connections

    Leipzig train station in 55 km distance

  • International airport

    Leipzig/Halle airport in 46 km distance

  • Coast

    Baltic Sea in 250 km distance

  • Mountain range

    Harz in 100 km distance

  • Other countries

    Czech Republic in 155 km distance

  • Attractions within 100 km

    • Lake Großer Goitzschesee in 26 km distance

    • Ferropolis museum in 17 km distance

    • Dessau Palace in close vicinity

1 higher education institution in Dessau

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Subject groups of degree programmes in Dessau

There is a wide range of degree programmes in Dessau. Here you can see the main subject groups. Currently, degree programmes in Dessau are mainly offered in the subject group Engineering Sciences, followed by Art, Music, Design and Mathematics, Natural Sciences. Find out more information here about the subject groups and degree programmes offered in Germany.
  • 0

    Agricultural and Forest Sciences

  • 0

    Humanities and Social Sciences

  • 2

    Mathematics, Natural Sciences

  • 3

    Art, Music, Design

  • 0

    Language and Cultural Studies

  • 0

    Medicine, Health Sciences

  • 0

    Economic Sciences, Law

  • 12

    Engineering Sciences

  • 0

    Teaching Degrees

The Bauhaus building in Dessau at dusk
©Stiftung Bauhaus Dessau / Foto: Meyer, Thomas, 2019 / OSTKREUZ

Attention all architecture and design students! Here you can experience Bauhaus live.

The Mausoleum zu Dessau, originally a burial site for the Dukes of Anhalt, now serves as the location of the Dessau Zoo.

Partying options might not be as ample as in bigger cities but don’t worry, there will be plenty of private parties in the student residences or private apartments. The fact that there are fewer students in the city and fewer young people overall should not only be seen as a drawback. On the contrary: you’ll get to know your fellow classmates a lot quicker and closer. Dessau-Rosslau doesn’t just rely on its unique architecture to wow you. The town puts on quite a calendar of events. Shows at the Anhaltisches Theater and the theaterBurg Rosslau include classic plays, concerts and readings. Festivals and other events are also a way to get to know the town and have some fun after spending all day in the classroom. At the Dessau market square, there are weekly “Open Stage” concerts over the summer where new bands showcase their skills. “Stadtparksommer” stages various events that take place in the green parks of the cities, including dancing, open-air yoga, or cinema.

The Kurt Weill Festival, honoring the renowned American composer who was born locally, extends over a duration of 10 days and features a diverse array of events, comprising exhibitions, lectures, and musical performances that include opera, classical, and contemporary music. And, of course, Dessau-Rosslau has a festive Christmas market in the winter. Here, you can warm up with some mulled wine, nibble on Christmas delicacies, take a turn on the ice-skating rink, and let the festive atmosphere put you in the mood for the holidays.

While Dessau-Rosslau has many international students one must still be aware of the current political climate in the city. Discrimination is not frequent but can happen, nonetheless, you should always look to your higher education institution and your friends for support.

This town has a lot more to offer than people might expect so take your time in getting to know it and its surroundings. Enjoy the short distances and the close-knit community.

A young woman walks through the city
A young woman walks through the cityJan von Allwörden / DAAD

You can find more information at study-in-germany.de

For more information on living and studying in Dessau, visit the city portraits at study-in-germany.de