Study Media Informatics at Harz University of Applied Sciences (2026/27)

Founded in 1991, Harz University of Applied Sciences is a public university with 3,300 students across two campuses in Wernigerode and Halberstadt, both located in the Harz Mountains of Saxony-Anhalt. This regional university offers bachelor's and master's programs in automation engineering, computer science, business administration, public administration, tourism management, business psychology, and media informatics. It has a distinctive orientation semester that allows undecided students to sample different fields before choosing their major, which is unusual in the German system that requires early specialization. The university is located in small historic towns near the Brocken peak and Harz National Park. It is approximately 90 minutes from Hannover and two hours from Berlin. The mountain setting provides outdoor recreation opportunities, but it has limited urban amenities and cultural offerings, which are typical of larger university cities. The institution primarily serves regional students, offering programs tailored to the local government and tourism sectors, given the Harz region's dependence on tourism and public administration. However, this regional focus may limit career mobility to other parts of Germany. Living costs average €500–650 per month in these small eastern German towns, which are among the lowest in Germany. However, the remote location necessitates owning a car for flexibility, as public transportation connections remain limited. Programs primarily operate in German, requiring B2-C1 proficiency, and there are few English-taught options. Small enrollment enables class sizes of 20–30 students and close professor contact, but it limits program diversity and research opportunities. This university is ideal for students seeking an affordable education in scenic surroundings, who are comfortable with small-town life, and who are interested in fields such as tourism management or public administration with regional career prospects. It is not ideal for students seeking metropolitan experiences or internationally oriented programs.