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Study in Reutlingen district

Reutlingen district combines university life and industry with smaller towns, castles and the landscapes of the Swabian Alb.

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Schloss Lichtenstein above the wooded Swabian Alb landscape
Photo: -donald- (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

In short

Reutlingen is a rural district (Landkreis) in Baden-Württemberg with 293,483 people (Destatis, 31 Dec 2024). It has 2 universities: Reutlingen University (Reutlingen), Theologische Hochschule Reutlingen - staatlich anerkannte Fachhochschule der Evangelisch-methodistischen Kirche (Reutlingen). Summers average 16.1 °C and winters 0.1 °C, with about 925 mm of rain a year (DWD, 1991–2020).

Reutlingen district in numbers

Population

293,483Destatis 2024 (opens in a new tab)

Area

1,092.48 km²Destatis 2024 (opens in a new tab)

People per km²

269Destatis 2024 (opens in a new tab)

Universities in the district

2Where Is My Uni? catalogue (opens in a new tab)

Reutlingen University and Theologische Hochschule Reutlingen - staatlich anerkannte Fachhochschule der Evangelisch-methodistischen Kirche

Typical student rent

€363 per monthSource (opens in a new tab)

Published rent for a furnished single room in a six-person shared flat at Pestalozzistraße 67, listed by Studierendenwerk Tübingen-Hohenheim on its undated residence page; checked November 2026. This is a residence example, not a district-wide average.

Average temperature

7.9 °C a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)

Rain

925 mm a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)

Sunshine

1,771 hours a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)

Frost days

116 a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)

About Reutlingen district

Reutlingen district extends across the Swabian Alb and its foothills in Baden-Württemberg. Reutlingen is the district’s main city and administrative centre; choosing a home here means a different daily routine from living farther into the Alb countryside. (District background (opens in a new tab), Reutlingen (opens in a new tab))

The district combines industry and shopping with outdoor destinations: Bosch develops and manufactures electronics in Reutlingen, Metzingen has Outletcity, and Bad Urach offers walks to its waterfall. These are useful starting points when weighing employment, transport and weekend activities. (Bosch (opens in a new tab), Outletcity (opens in a new tab), Bad Urach Tourism (opens in a new tab))

Main towns

Universities here

Universities in Reutlingen district, biggest first.

Reutlingen University and Theologische Hochschule Reutlingen are both in Reutlingen; nearby study options include Tübingen and Nürtingen. For Reutlingen University students, accommodation beside the campus is a practical starting point, while commuters should compare the complete journey to their teaching building: a short train ride does not include the bus or walk at either end. The district is worth considering if you want campus life alongside access to the Alb countryside. (Campus accommodation (opens in a new tab), Regional rail timetable (opens in a new tab))

  • Reutlingen University

    University of applied sciences · Reutlingen · 55 courses

    Website (opens in a new tab)

  • Theologische Hochschule Reutlingen - staatlich anerkannte Fachhochschule der Evangelisch-methodistischen Kirche

    University of applied sciences · Reutlingen · 4 courses

    Website (opens in a new tab)
Find a course in Reutlingen

Housing

Apply early, but check current availability rather than assuming every residence is full. Reutlingen University describes residence places as highly sought after; when checked in November 2026, the Studierendenwerk still advertised shared-flat rooms for winter semester 2026/27, although no single apartments remained. This does not establish how competitive the wider private rental market is. (University housing advice (opens in a new tab), Studierendenwerk availability (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

Student residences

Cost of living

Useful budget anchors are the €363 monthly shared-flat room and €600 deposit published for Pestalozzistraße 67, checked in November 2026. (Studierendenwerk (opens in a new tab)) The regular Deutschlandticket costs €63 per month under naldo’s tariff effective January 2026. (naldo (opens in a new tab)) Allow separately for food, health insurance, study charges and personal expenses. The university presents residence accommodation as a lower-cost alternative to private flats, but the checked sources do not support a precise overall saving compared with Stuttgart. (University housing advice (opens in a new tab))

Jobs & employers

Electronics, automotive supply, fashion and retail provide distinct directions for a job search. Bosch has semiconductor and electronics operations in Reutlingen, ElringKlinger has its headquarters and plants in Dettingen an der Erms, and HUGO BOSS is headquartered in Metzingen. (Bosch (opens in a new tab), ElringKlinger locations (opens in a new tab), HUGO BOSS (opens in a new tab)) ElringKlinger explicitly offers working-student roles and internships; filter vacancies by location and check language requirements individually. (Student careers (opens in a new tab))

Typical student jobs

Major employers

Getting around

Local buses belong to the naldo network; Reutlingen’s city-bus service also covers neighbouring places including Pfullingen and Eningen. (City transport guide (opens in a new tab)) The published rail timetable includes Reutlingen–Tübingen journeys of approximately 10–20 minutes, Reutlingen–Nürtingen journeys around 16 minutes, and Reutlingen–Stuttgart journeys around 45–55 minutes, depending on the service. These are station-to-station examples; check your actual date for engineering work and connections. (DB timetable (opens in a new tab)) Bad Urach and Metzingen are also on the Erms–Ammertal regional rail corridor. (DB route guide (opens in a new tab)) The Deutschlandticket covers ordinary local buses and regional trains, including these services; it generally excludes ICE, IC and EC trains. (naldo ticket conditions (opens in a new tab))

Main stations
Nearest airport

Stuttgart Airport

The eXpresso X3 provides a direct bus connection from Pfullingen via Reutlingen to the airport and trade fair. Airport journeys on this service are integrated into the naldo tariff. (naldo airport connections (opens in a new tab))

Weather & seasons

Long-term averages from the German Weather Service station Eningen (9 km from the district centre), 1991–2020.

Winter

0.1 °C

64 mm rain a month

2.5 h sun a day

Spring

7.4 °C

76 mm rain a month

5.6 h sun a day

Summer

16.1 °C

100 mm rain a month

7.2 h sun a day

Autumn

8 °C

68 mm rain a month

4 h sun a day

Expect cold winters with frequent frost, a gradual spring warm-up and generally mild summers. Rain remains relevant in summer, so carry a waterproof layer for walks and bike journeys. The supplied climate record comes from an elevated station near Eningen; use it as a guide to the Alb setting rather than an exact description of every lower-lying town. For student life, plan warm clothes for winter travel and flexible outdoor plans throughout the year.

Culture, language & food

Reutlingen’s former imperial-city identity remains visible in the annual Schwörtag, when the mayor publicly renews an oath to serve the city fairly and impartially. It is a living civic tradition rather than simply a historical display. (City of Reutlingen (opens in a new tab))

For evenings out, franz.K provides a concrete starting point for live music, parties and stage events. Check its programme when choosing where to live, and check the journey home: Reutlingen’s night buses operate on weekend nights and before public holidays. (franz.K (opens in a new tab), City night-bus information (opens in a new tab))

Use English with international university services, but plan to build German for housing enquiries, everyday administration and a wider job search. As a practical target, B1–B2 German can make independent daily life easier; this is advice, not a universal admission or employment requirement. Reutlingen University offers German courses for international students, including beginners. (University language courses (opens in a new tab)) The local dialect is Swabian; standard German is the sensible starting point for learners. (Local background (opens in a new tab))

Local food

Places & events

Places to see

  • Schloss Lichtenstein

    Castle

    A Romantic-era castle inspired by Wilhelm Hauff’s novel Lichtenstein, with walking routes into the surrounding Alb landscape. (Municipality of Lichtenstein (opens in a new tab))

  • Uracher Wasserfall

    Nature

    A waterfall reached through the Maisental near Bad Urach. Its limestone deposits and mosses are protected: stay on the paths and avoid stepping onto the fragile waterfall formations. (Bad Urach Tourism (opens in a new tab))

  • Biosphärenzentrum Schwäbische Alb

    Nature centre

    The visitor centre in Münsingen-Auingen introduces the biosphere area and the relationship between its landscape and human activity. (Official visitor information (opens in a new tab))

  • Bad Urach historic centre

    Old town

    An option for a town visit alongside the area’s walking routes and thermal baths. The local tourist office provides information on the old town and guided walks. (Bad Urach Tourism (opens in a new tab))

Events

  • Reutlingen’s central market square

    Reutlingen’s central market square

  • Uracher Wasserfall near Bad Urach

    Uracher Wasserfall near Bad Urach

Student experiences

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Studying in Reutlingen district: FAQ

Is Reutlingen district a good place to live as a student?

It is worth considering if you want university life with access to the Swabian Alb. Reutlingen University students can apply for accommodation beside campus, while Bad Urach provides nearby walking destinations. (Student housing (opens in a new tab), Bad Urach walks (opens in a new tab))

Is there a university in Reutlingen district?

Yes. Reutlingen University and Theologische Hochschule Reutlingen are both in Reutlingen. Nearby university towns also include Tübingen and Nürtingen.

Can I commute from Reutlingen to Tübingen?

Yes. The published rail timetable includes direct journeys from Reutlingen Hbf to Tübingen Hbf taking approximately 10–20 minutes; add the journey between each station and your home or teaching building. (DB timetable (opens in a new tab))

How much does student housing in Reutlingen cost?

One published example is €363 per month for a furnished room in a six-person shared flat at Pestalozzistraße 67, checked in November 2026. The listed deposit is €600; these figures describe that residence, not the private rental market. (Studierendenwerk prices (opens in a new tab))

What jobs can students look for in Reutlingen district?

Useful search areas include technical and office-based working-student roles at ElringKlinger and retail work in Metzingen’s Outletcity stores. Check the employer’s current openings for the precise location, hours and German-language requirements. (ElringKlinger student careers (opens in a new tab), Outletcity store careers (opens in a new tab))

Can I live in Reutlingen without a car?

A home with a suitable campus bus or railway connection makes this a realistic option. Reutlingen has local buses and regional trains; before signing a lease elsewhere in the district, check evening and weekend journeys for that exact address. (City bus information (opens in a new tab), DB timetable (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

Photo credits

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