Halle

One of the birthplaces of modern education methods

The capital of Saxony-Anhalt, Halle has a centuries-old commitment to education. In fact, August Hermann Francke set up one of the first modern-style school systems in the city in 1698. After that, the role of Pietism (which required mass literacy) meant that Halle became a major university city - a role that it has never abandoned. In fact, it remains a hotbed of innovation for the old East German region.

Halle is a bustling city that is at the core of a budding start-up culture. Out of around 239,000 locals, 23,000 are students at Martin Luther University - one of Germany's most famous educational establishments. And history is everywhere, especially in the beautiful city center.

Studying and Working in Halle

Martin Luther University dominates the higher education scene in Halle, and is a national hub for medicine, natural sciences, botanical research, and agriculture. Specialist research institutes lead the way in protein folding, sustainable agriculture, and many more cutting edge areas. The university is heavily research-based (but with strong links to regional and global businesses). And it's also very international, with 2,100 students from outside Germany, and many English language courses.

Halle itself is also extremely appealing, with its annual Handel Festival, an ATP Tour Event, and a hugely popular Christmas Market. And the job market is vibrant, with standout sectors including solar power, banking, and tech development.