DISCOVER MARBURG

FIND YOUR STUDY PROGRAM IN MARBURG

MARBURG AT A GLANCE

Marburg spreads across the valley of the Lahn River in the state of Hesse, situated in west-central Germany. The beauty of the town is partially owed to the fact that it survived the bombings during the Second World War and thus was able to preserve its medieval architecture with half-timbered houses. One of the main landmarks here is Marburger Schloss, a beautiful romantic castle on the top of the Schlossberg hill. Under its shadow lies the old town with beautiful Gothic churches and cobblestone streets. Another distinctive trait about Marburg’s architecture are the many steps and steep alleys. Furthermore, this is another city that is part of the famous Fairytale Route as it was home to brothers Grimm while they studied here in the early 19th century. The climate here is rather moderate, with warm but not too hot summers with average rainfall throughout the year. The wettest months in Marburg are May and August when more rainy days might occur. Winters on the other hand are cold with temperatures dropping below 0 ᵒC. Traveling within and outside of the city is very easy and quite inexpensive for students since they get to benefit of free or low-cost travels when obtaining a semester ticket, which is usually valid for six months. Buses circulate regularly throughout Marburg, allowing people to reach all districts of the city. Also, many locals prefer to move around with their bikes, although cycling in the old town area might be a bit harder because of the steep alleyways.

Academic Year

Summer Semester: April –September / Winter Semester: October – March

Official Language

German

Higher Education Institutions

Population

76226

Living Costs

750 – 800 EUR

STUDYING IN MARBURG

‘’Other towns have universities; Marburg is a university!’’ – a local saying goes confirming the unique experiences new students will face when choosing to study in Marburg. The universities here are undoubtedly shaping much of the life and economy of the city. More than 26,000 students are studying here and the Philipps University of Marburg is also one of the biggest employers in the city. The latter is also the main traditional higher learning institute here with 16 departments offering various degree courses in such fields as natural sciences and liberal arts. Furthermore, there are two other universities: Protestant University of Applied Sciences Tabor Marburg, a small private institute with around 200 students enrolled for the past year, and a branch of the FHDW- University of Applied Sciences offering dual studies in the business administration field. International students coming on an exchange program or for the full duration of their studies can sign up for any of the three institutes but might be subject of course to certain requirements in terms of high school grades or knowledge of the German language. As it is understandable how difficult it might be for a foreigner to cope with a new environment and the student life altogether, all campuses offer additional support and guidance for everyone who struggling with the language, finding a part-time job or a proper accommodation. Speaking of housing, finding one in Marburg might be somewhat challenging as the availability of rooms especially in the student residence halls might be very limited towards the beginning of the semester; it is therefore strongly recommended to start with the apartment or room hunting as early as possible.

MARBURG LIFESTYLE

It is impossible to get bored in Marburg as a student because of the vibrant cultural life strongly influenced by the dominating young part of the inhabitants here. Artistic performances are significantly appreciated here, with several free theatre groups acting in the Marburg Theatre. Moreover, regular live music performances take place in the clubs and bars or even on the streets. Marburg may be smaller in size compared to other Hessian cities like Frankfurt am Main, but its nightlife is pretty diverse too. Several clubs and bars host all sorts of parties with a great atmosphere and guaranteed entertainment until late night. Sports enthusiasts and members of the Philipps-University can sign up for the Center for Sports and participate in more than 130 training programs across different facilities located in Marburg. Other alternatives are the public swimming pool or the lake located nearby and easily reachable by a short train ride. As the city is located between hills and thus surrounded by forests and green landscapes, outdoor activities such as cycling or hiking are ideal ways of spending a relaxing day in the summertime. Students can also go the one of the two cinemas or play bowling or billiard with friends after a long day at university.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN MARBURG

Although living in Marburg is relatively cheaper compared to other university cities across the country, some students might still be looking for a job as a financial support during their student life. In Germany students are only allowed to be employed on a part-time position and work up to 15-20 hours per week during their lecture periods. Furthermore, some international students might be also subject to work permits that must be issued before they find a job for themselves. There are many job opportunities as students can find work on the university campus or outside of it as long as it is not intervening too much with their studies. Graduates can seek for career opportunities within or outside of the country, as usually German diplomas are recognized worldwide opening many doors for young and ambitious individuals. Finding the right career path can be often confusing, especially when such decision comes with other major responsibilities. Therefore, students who feel they need help or advice regarding their choice or even the application process can always turn to the Career Centers in their university campuses where they will receive guidance. Those centers also organize numerous career events and workshops where everyone can participate and improve their work-related skills. Students who would like to research the local labor market or those of other cities can simply go to the “Career” section on universitaet.com and view the detailed information provided in regards to the current job offers.