First Steps in Halle and at the University

For our international freshmen, starting the new semester means plunging into an unknown city, into a different academic environment and teaching and learning culture.  

Formalities have to be carried out, schedules have to be drawn up and many more tasks have to be accomplished to make sure that things run smoothly. But do not worry – our welcome pages allow you to keep track. We have compiled a list of the first steps you need to take after your arrival in Halle.

The pick up of enrolment documents will be in person only.

Winter semester 2025/2026

Personal enrollment can take place during the office hours of the Enrollment Office and after prior confirmation.

Place: Infothek, Löwengebäude at the main campus

The lecture halls and buildings of Martin Luther Universität are located all over the city. Here you can find a map of the main campus locations. You can also get this map in the university shop at the market square (tourist-information).

Winter semester 2025/2026
(1 October 2025 - 31 March 2026) 

At MLU, the academic year is divided into two terms: "Wintersemester" and "Sommersemester". The winter term begins officially on 1 October and ends on 31 March. The summer term begins on 1 April and ends on 30 September. However, the lecture period only runs from mid-October until mid-February and from mid-April until the end of July. The remaining time, the so-called "vorlesungsfreie Zeit", is intended for writing papers, preparing exams or for internships, etc. Dorms are open throughout the whole year.

In Germany, the rating of study achievements is usually done with grades from "1" to "5" with one decimal place.

The following table shows information on the living expenses students in Halle have to cover during one semester.

Please note that these figures are approximate values and are only valid as references, since expenses for copies, books, and food, e.g., may differ from student to student and costs for accommodation may vary.

*Information on the Semester Fee:

At Martin-Luther-Universität, we do not charge any tuition fees. However, every student enrolled at the university has to pay the Semester Fee. This fee is a contribution to the services the Student Services Organization Halle (Studentenwerk Halle) provides for our students. It is also the fee for the so-called Semester-Ticket for public transportation.
With the Germany-wide semester ticket ('Deutschland-Semesterticket') you can use local public transport in all of Germany.

Anyone making part of their studies or even the entire study at a university abroad, must organize much and be prepared for a lot of new and unknown factors. In a foreign country with an unfamiliar teaching and learning culture one will find it is often not easy and is - in addition to the requirements of the course - a big challenge.

Our buddy program aims to facilitate the international students to start life in Halle and the University.
Our buddies are local students who help their international fellow students across organizational and cultural borders and sometimes technical support over the hurdles in the first weeks in Halle.

Currently, all international exchange students get a local buddy. Our international students have timely contact with their buddies, so that contact can be made even before the arrival in Halle.

If you have any further questions about the buddy-programme, please do not hesitate to contact us.