In short
Biberach is a rural district (Landkreis) in Baden-Württemberg with 207,415 people (Destatis, 31 Dec 2024). It has 2 universities: Biberach University of Applied Sciences (Biberach an der Riß), SRH Distance Learning University (Riedlingen). Summers average 17.2 °C and winters 0.2 °C, with about 858 mm of rain a year (DWD, 1991–2020).
Biberach district in numbers
- Population
- Area
1,409.52 km²Destatis 2024 (opens in a new tab)
- People per km²
- Universities in the district
2Where Is My Uni? catalogue (opens in a new tab)
Biberach University of Applied Sciences and SRH Distance Learning University
- Typical student rent
€371/monthSource (opens in a new tab)
Monthly rent including all utilities for a furnished room in a shared flat at Wohnhaus Kapuzinerstraße, Biberach; the operator's undated listing, checked November 2026. This is a residence price, not a district-wide market average.
- Average temperature
8.5 °C a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
- Rain
858 mm a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
- Sunshine
1,739 hours a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
- Frost days
105 a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
About Biberach district
Biberach district lies in Upper Swabia, with the Iller forming its eastern boundary with Bavaria. Biberach an der Riß is the district seat; Laupheim, Riedlingen, Ochsenhausen and Bad Buchau offer distinct alternatives to living in the main town (district overview (opens in a new tab)).
This is a countryside setting with substantial industry: Boehringer Ingelheim conducts pharmaceutical research and biopharmaceutical production in Biberach, while Uhlmann makes pharmaceutical packaging systems in Laupheim (Boehringer Ingelheim (opens in a new tab), Uhlmann (opens in a new tab)). Away from work and study, the Federsee wetlands and Ochsenhausen monastery are two characteristic local destinations (Bad Buchau (opens in a new tab), Kloster Ochsenhausen (opens in a new tab)).
Main towns
Biberach an der Riß
The district seat and the main location for campus-based student life at Hochschule Biberach (district overview (opens in a new tab), HBC (opens in a new tab)).
Laupheim
An industrial town with Uhlmann's pharmaceutical packaging business and opportunities for working students (Uhlmann (opens in a new tab)).
Riedlingen
Its historic centre includes half-timbered buildings, towers and surviving sections of town wall (Museum Riedlingen (opens in a new tab)).
Ochsenhausen
Known for its monastery complex, including a baroque church interior and historic observatory (Kloster Ochsenhausen (opens in a new tab)).
Bad Buchau
The starting point for the Federseesteg boardwalk through the wetlands to the Federsee (town visitor information (opens in a new tab)).
Universities here
Universities in Biberach district, biggest first.
Biberach University of Applied Sciences provides the district's campus-based university experience, with an International Office, German courses and activities for incoming students (HBC (opens in a new tab)). Riedlingen also hosts SRH Distance Learning University, whose online study model does not require moving there for everyday classes (SRH (opens in a new tab)). Nearby university options include Ulm, Neu-Ulm and Weingarten. For commuting, distinguish the train journey from the full journey to your campus: selected regional express services take roughly 25 minutes between Biberach station and Ulm Hauptbahnhof, but onward travel adds time (DB timetable (opens in a new tab)). Consider the district if you prefer a smaller study setting and access to countryside; choose your address around your actual timetable.
- Website (opens in a new tab)
Biberach University of Applied Sciences
University of applied sciences · Biberach an der Riß · 24 courses
- Website (opens in a new tab)
SRH Distance Learning University
University of applied sciences · Riedlingen · 0 courses
Housing
Start your search early: HBC says residence places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis (HBC housing advice (opens in a new tab)). Kapuzinerstraße offers furnished rooms in shared flats near the market square, giving students a concrete alternative to the private rental market (Studierendenwerk Ulm (opens in a new tab)).
The typical student rent we found, and what that figure covers, is in the key facts.
How to find a place
- Apply online for Kapuzinerstraße early; HBC says you do not need to attach your enrolment certificate when applying (HBC housing advice (opens in a new tab)).
- Check the Studierendenwerk's dedicated Biberach private-room list; its private accommodation matching service is free (Studierendenwerk Ulm (opens in a new tab)).
- Search WG-Gesucht, Kleinanzeigen and ImmobilienScout24 for Biberach; HBC specifically recommends these portals to incoming students (HBC exchange information (opens in a new tab)).
- Ask HBC's International Office for accommodation guidance if you are an incoming international student (HBC (opens in a new tab)).
- Before accepting a village address, check weekday and evening journeys to your campus using DING's local bus and rail timetables (DING (opens in a new tab)).
Student residences
Wohnhaus Kapuzinerstraße (opens in a new tab)
Studierendenwerk Ulm
Furnished rooms in shared flats near Biberach's market square, with internet access and shared laundry facilities (operator (opens in a new tab)).
Cost of living
A useful starting budget item is the €371 monthly residence rent including utilities; the operator also lists a €600 deposit and a €20 contract-processing fee, checked November 2026 (Studierendenwerk Ulm (opens in a new tab)). The standard Deutschlandticket costs €63 per month in 2026 (Deutsche Bahn (opens in a new tab)). For inexpensive leisure, Museum Biberach offers free Saturday admission (museum (opens in a new tab)). Add food, insurance, study charges and personal spending separately. A residence place makes housing costs predictable, but there is insufficient verified evidence here to promise that private renting or total living costs will be lower than in a larger city.
Jobs & employers
Pharmaceuticals and engineering are particularly relevant sectors to investigate. Boehringer Ingelheim's Biberach site combines research, development and biopharmaceutical manufacturing, while Uhlmann in Laupheim offers working-student positions, internships and thesis projects (Boehringer Ingelheim (opens in a new tab), Uhlmann (opens in a new tab)). Uhlmann currently advertises €16–18 per hour for working students on its general student careers page, checked November 2026; this is one employer's published range, not a local wage average (Uhlmann (opens in a new tab)).
Typical student jobs
- Working-student support for operational tasks and projects at Uhlmann (student careers (opens in a new tab)).
- Engineering, automation and computing internships at Uhlmann; these are practical-semester placements rather than casual evening jobs (student careers (opens in a new tab)).
- Pharmaceutical research and degree-project placements at Boehringer Ingelheim's Biberach site (site profile (opens in a new tab)).
Major employers
Boehringer Ingelheim (opens in a new tab)
Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology
Biberach houses pharmaceutical research and development alongside biopharmaceutical production (official site profile (opens in a new tab)).
Liebherr-Werk Biberach GmbH (opens in a new tab)
Construction machinery
Develops and manufactures tower cranes and mobile construction cranes in Biberach (official site profile (opens in a new tab)).
Uhlmann Pac-Systeme (opens in a new tab)
Pharmaceutical packaging machinery
Laupheim-based packaging machinery business with working-student, internship and thesis opportunities (employer profile (opens in a new tab)).
Getting around
DING publishes the district's local bus timetables and rail connections. Biberach and Laupheim lie on the Südbahn towards Ulm and Friedrichshafen; Riedlingen uses the separate Donaubahn corridor (DING timetables (opens in a new tab), Donaubahn timetable (opens in a new tab)). Selected regional express trains cover Biberach–Ulm in about 25 minutes, while stopping services can take around 50 minutes (DB timetable (opens in a new tab)). The X250 bus connects Biberach, Ochsenhausen and Memmingen (DING Regiobus (opens in a new tab)). The Deutschlandticket covers ordinary local buses and regional trains, but generally excludes ICE, IC and EC services (DB (opens in a new tab)). Check connections before choosing accommodation, especially for evening returns. At the November 2026 check, DING reported replacement buses on part of the Donaubahn through 9 November (construction information (opens in a new tab)).
- Main stations
- Biberach (Riß): regional services towards Ulm and the Lake Constance corridor (DING Südbahn timetable (opens in a new tab)).
- Laupheim West and Laupheim Stadt: separate stations, so check which your train serves (DING Südbahn timetable (opens in a new tab)).
- Riedlingen: Donaubahn connections towards Ulm and Sigmaringen, subject to construction changes (DING timetable (opens in a new tab), service changes (opens in a new tab)).
- Nearest airport
Memmingen Airport (Allgäu Airport)
Biberach's tourism office lists Memmingen Airport approximately 43 km from the town; Friedrichshafen is another nearby airport. The most convenient choice depends on where in the district you live (official arrival information (opens in a new tab)).
Weather & seasons
Long-term averages from the German Weather Service station Warthausen-Birkenhard (2 km from the district centre), 1991–2020.
Winter
0.2 °C
48 mm rain a month
2.3 h sun a day
Spring
8.3 °C
68 mm rain a month
5.7 h sun a day
Summer
17.2 °C
108 mm rain a month
7.3 h sun a day
Autumn
8.5 °C
63 mm rain a month
3.7 h sun a day
Expect cold, frequently frosty winters and relatively mild summers, with rain worth planning for even in the warmer months. Bring warm layers and waterproof footwear if walking or cycling is part of your commute. Spring and summer suit trips to the Federsee boardwalk; the town recommends mosquito repellent in summer (Bad Buchau (opens in a new tab)). Autumn brings the film festival, while the Christmas market provides an outdoor meeting place as winter begins (Filmfestspiele (opens in a new tab), Christmas market (opens in a new tab)).
Culture, language & food
Local traditions are visible in Biberach's Schützenfest, with historical processions, theatre and community celebrations (festival organiser (opens in a new tab)). There is also a contemporary film audience: the Biberacher Filmfestspiele focuses on German-language productions and meetings between filmmakers and viewers (festival (opens in a new tab)).
For student evenings, HBC identifies the student-run Hechtkeller pub on campus as a gathering place for parties and socialising (HBC (opens in a new tab)). Think in terms of campus events, pub evenings and the local festival calendar when deciding whether the social setting suits you.
HBC provides English-language information for incoming students and offers German courses at different levels (International Office (opens in a new tab)). Use that support, but plan to develop German for housing searches, everyday administration and a wider choice of jobs. B1 is a useful practical target for daily independence, not a statement of programme admission requirements. Swabian is part of the local linguistic identity (Biberach tourism (opens in a new tab)); learning standard German remains the sensible starting point.
Local food
Seele
A long bread roll commonly topped with salt and caraway, associated with an Upper Swabian Vesper, or simple bread-based meal (Biberach tourism (opens in a new tab)).
Knauzen
A crusty spelt roll highlighted as a regional speciality by the local tourism office (Biberach tourism (opens in a new tab)).
Dinnete
Upper Swabian savoury topped bread, described locally as the region's answer to pizza (Biberach tourism (opens in a new tab)).
Kässpätzle and Maultaschen
Cheese noodles and filled pasta pockets are Swabian classics included in Biberach's regional food guide (Biberach tourism (opens in a new tab)).
Places & events
Places to see
Federsee and Federseesteg, Bad Buchau
Nature
Follow the boardwalk through wet meadows and reeds to a viewing platform over the lake, with opportunities to watch waterbirds (Bad Buchau (opens in a new tab)).
Kloster Ochsenhausen
Monastery
Explore the monastery's architecture, baroque church interior and historic observatory; check the official visiting arrangements before travelling (State Palaces and Gardens (opens in a new tab)).
Riedlingen old town
Old town
A walkable historic centre with half-timbered houses, towers and remnants of the town wall; the local museum organises guided walks (Museum Riedlingen (opens in a new tab)).
Museum Biberach
Museum
An accessible indoor option for a study break: the museum lists reduced admission for students and free admission on Saturdays (visitor information (opens in a new tab)).
Events
Biberacher Schützenfest (opens in a new tab)
July
The annual community festival includes historical processions and theatre. The organiser lists 16–25 July for the 2027 edition (festival information (opens in a new tab)).
Biberacher Filmfestspiele (opens in a new tab)
Late October / early November
A festival dedicated to German-language film, with screenings and conversations with filmmakers; the 2026 edition ran from 28 October to 1 November (organiser (opens in a new tab)).
Biberacher Christkindles-Markt (opens in a new tab)
Late November / December
A Christmas market in the historic town centre, with crafts and regional food. The published 2026 dates are 28 November–13 December (Biberach tourism (opens in a new tab)).

Federsee nature reserve photographed from the boardwalk near Bad Buchau

Ochsenhausen monastery viewed from the southeast
Student experiences
First-hand posts from students in Biberach district, read by our team before they appear.
Loading experiences…
Studying in Biberach district: FAQ
Is Biberach district a good place to live as a student?
It is worth considering if you want a smaller university setting with organised international-student support and countryside nearby. HBC offers social activities and German courses, while the Federsee provides a local nature destination (HBC (opens in a new tab), Bad Buchau (opens in a new tab)).
Is there a university in Biberach district?
Yes: Biberach University of Applied Sciences is in Biberach an der Riß, and SRH Distance Learning University is in Riedlingen. SRH specialises in online study, so enrolment does not itself require living in Riedlingen (HBC (opens in a new tab), SRH (opens in a new tab)).
How long does the train from Biberach to Ulm take?
Selected regional express trains take about 25 minutes from Biberach (Riß) to Ulm Hauptbahnhof; stopping services can take around 50 minutes. Add travel from Ulm station to your university and check the specific departure (DB timetable (opens in a new tab)).
How much does student accommodation in Biberach cost?
Studierendenwerk Ulm lists a furnished shared-flat room at Kapuzinerstraße for €371 per month including utilities, checked November 2026. This is a specific residence price, not the average private rent in Biberach (operator (opens in a new tab)).
What student jobs are available in Biberach district?
Uhlmann in Laupheim offers working-student positions, internships and thesis work, while Boehringer Ingelheim's Biberach site hosts student research and degree projects. These are useful starting points for engineering, computing, business and life-science students (Uhlmann (opens in a new tab), Boehringer Ingelheim (opens in a new tab)).
Can I use the Deutschlandticket in Biberach?
Yes, the Deutschlandticket covers ordinary local buses and regional trains, including journeys on the regional network around Biberach. It costs €63 per month in 2026 and generally does not cover ICE, IC or EC trains (Deutsche Bahn (opens in a new tab)).
More guides
Sources & photo credits
Last updated November 2026. Population and area: Destatis. Weather: Deutscher Wetterdienst. Universities and courses: our catalogue. Everything else was researched from the sources below and checked — how we research these guides.
Sources
- District geography and towns (opens in a new tab)
- HBC international student support (opens in a new tab)
- SRH online study model (opens in a new tab)
- HBC housing advice (opens in a new tab)
- Studierendenwerk residence facilities and rents (opens in a new tab)
- Studierendenwerk applications and private-room service (opens in a new tab)
- HBC exchange information and housing portals (opens in a new tab)
- Boehringer Ingelheim Biberach site (opens in a new tab)
- Boehringer Biberach research and student projects (opens in a new tab)
- Liebherr-Werk Biberach site (opens in a new tab)
- Uhlmann employer profile (opens in a new tab)
- Uhlmann student careers (opens in a new tab)
- DING local bus and rail timetables (opens in a new tab)
- DING Südbahn timetable (opens in a new tab)
- DING Donaubahn timetable (opens in a new tab)
- DB departures showing Biberach–Ulm journey times (opens in a new tab)
- DING Regiobus connections (opens in a new tab)
- Donaubahn construction changes (opens in a new tab)
- Deutschlandticket price and validity (opens in a new tab)
- Biberach arrival information and nearby airports (opens in a new tab)
- Biberach tourism and local identity (opens in a new tab)
- HBC Hechtkeller student pub (opens in a new tab)
- Regional food specialities (opens in a new tab)
- Schützenfest programme traditions (opens in a new tab)
- Schützenfest annual dates (opens in a new tab)
- Biberacher Filmfestspiele (opens in a new tab)
- Biberacher Christmas market (opens in a new tab)
- Federseesteg visitor information (opens in a new tab)
- Ochsenhausen monastery (opens in a new tab)
- Riedlingen old town and guided walks (opens in a new tab)
- Museum Biberach admission (opens in a new tab)
- Commons: Biberach market square photo (opens in a new tab)
- Commons: Federsee photo (opens in a new tab)
- Commons: Ochsenhausen monastery photo (opens in a new tab)
Photo credits
- Wide view of the market square in Biberach an der Riß — Helmlechner (opens in a new tab), CC0
- Federsee nature reserve photographed from the boardwalk near Bad Buchau — FishermansFriend17 (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ochsenhausen monastery viewed from the southeast — Flodur63 (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 4.0
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