My GUIDE - The gateway to your german university

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View across the Lahn River to the town of Marburg, with Marburg Castle in the background
©iStock.com/Nikada

Studying in Marburg

Marburg offers you 16 degree programmes in English at 4 higher education institutions.

"Other towns have a university; Marburg is a university”. This saying perfectly describes the town. More than a quarter of the inhabitants are students, the institutes are all across town, and the place with its half-timbered houses and the medieval steep alleys is full of life. Even some big city kids fall in love with the small town and do not want to leave after their studies. Maybe this will happen to you too?

Marburg is straight out of a fairy tale book: the castle on the hill above the town, the picturesque half-timbered houses and the narrow streets and cobblestones dominate everyone’s first impression. When you take a closer look, you will also discover the figures and installations in Marburg's old town, which are supposed to remind you of the most famous fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm. But the lush nature in the city also contributes to the enchanted fairytale image: The Lahn River flows right through the city, and the many trees and green spaces often add fresh forest scent to the air.

Especially on the banks of the Lahn, you can decompress from the stress of everyday life in the best possible way: You can relax in a café, do sports or simply have a good time with friends. On warm days, you will meet many students sitting unhurried on the riverbank until the evening hours. If you like, you can even go out on the river in pedal boats or canoes. And if you want to stretch your legs for a while longer, you can explore the numerous hiking and cycling routes in the green hills surrounding Marburg.

Life in Marburg

78,000 residents

  • High-speed train connections

    In close vicinity

  • International airport

    Frankfurt airport in 87 km distance

  • Coast

    North Sea in 330 km distance

  • Mountain range

    West Hesse Highlands in close vicinity

  • Other countries

    Belgium in 180 km distance

  • Attractions within 100 km

    • Lake Niederweimar in 6 km distance

    • Kaiser Wilhelm Tower in 2 km distance

    • Old bridge crossing the Lahn river at Sichertshausen in 14 km distance

    • Friedelhausen Castle in 14 km distance

4 higher education institutions in Marburg

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Subject groups of degree programmes in Marburg

There is a wide range of degree programmes in Marburg. Here you can see the main subject groups. Currently, degree programmes in Marburg are mainly offered in the subject group Language and Cultural Studies, followed by Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Humanities and Social Sciences. Find out more information here about the subject groups and degree programmes offered in Germany.
  • 0

    Agricultural and Forest Sciences

  • 42

    Humanities and Social Sciences

  • 46

    Mathematics, Natural Sciences

  • 9

    Art, Music, Design

  • 91

    Language and Cultural Studies

  • 8

    Medicine, Health Sciences

  • 28

    Economic Sciences, Law

  • 4

    Engineering Sciences

  • 19

    Teaching Degrees

Historic half-timbered houses on a cobbled alley with steps
©iStock.com/querbeet

Medieval charm and narrow alleyways: explore Marburg, the fairytale city.

Elevators can take you up to the picturesque old town.

Marburg is a real student city – about 22,000 of the almost 80,000 inhabitants are enrolled at higher education institutions. Due to the high number of students, there is always something going on here: In Marburg's lively cultural scene, there is something for every taste, from poetry slams to theatre productions and exhibitions to concerts and various open-air events. Numerous themed, semester or shared flat parties as well as the proprietary schnapps creations of some bars and pubs are also part of the city’s nightlife.

Marburg’s festivals are just as colourful and international as the city itself. Here you can, for example, buy handicrafts at the "Marburger Frühling", dance at the Flussbühne at the harbour or city festival in summer and taste regional cuisine at the "Marburger Elisabethmarkt" in autumn. International events, such as the short film festival "OpenEyes", also pay an annual visit to the city.

For a city that is simply made for students, Marburg is also very affordable. In addition to the tolerable prices, there are numerous daily offers in cafes, restaurants or shops – just keep your eyes open and you can save a lot! Only the search for accommodation can be difficult. Since Marburg is very popular among students, you should plan a little more time for it. With a little patience, you will also find accommodation in your price range.

One of the higher education institutions in Marburg is among the oldest in Germany. In this city, you will study not only inside authentic period buildings but also in innovative and progressive facilities. Among other things, the proximity to research and the numerous research institutions makes up the success of the Marburg higher education institutions.

By the way, one higher education institution in Marburg also offers the Studium Generale, a lecture series that is open to the general public. The aim is to stimulate the transfer of knowledge into society and the discussion of different topics from different perspectives. The approach is not surprising when you consider that the whole city is a university!

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 Marburg, visit the city portraits at study-in-germany.de