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Study in Groß-Gerau district

Groß-Gerau is a Rhine-Main district combining university life in Rüsselsheim, industrial towns and riverside countryside.

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Green riverside landscape in Kühkopf-Knoblochsaue
Photo: Maflokati (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

In short

Groß-Gerau is a rural district (Landkreis) in Hesse with 268,310 people (Destatis, 31 Dec 2024). It has one university: RheinMain University of Applied Sciences (Rüsselsheim). Summers average 19.2 °C and winters 2.7 °C, with about 544 mm of rain a year (DWD, 1991–2020).

Groß-Gerau district in numbers

Population

268,310Destatis 2024 (opens in a new tab)

Area

453.03 km²Destatis 2024 (opens in a new tab)

People per km²

592Destatis 2024 (opens in a new tab)

Universities in the district

1Where Is My Uni? catalogue (opens in a new tab)

RheinMain University of Applied Sciences

Typical student rent

€255–321 per monthSource (opens in a new tab)

Published monthly total rent for furnished single rooms of 10 or 20 m² at An der Feuerwache 7, Rüsselsheim, including operating costs and internet. These are residence prices, not a private-market average; the operator's page is undated, checked November 2026.

Average temperature

10.8 °C a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)

Rain

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

Sunshine

1,691 hours a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)

Frost days

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

About Groß-Gerau district

Groß-Gerau lies in southern Hesse, with the Main along its northern edge and the Rhine to the west. Much of the district belongs to the Hessisches Ried lowlands; Groß-Gerau is also the name of its administrative town. (District background (opens in a new tab))

Its character combines industrial heritage, working towns and countryside. Rüsselsheim explores local industrial history in its fortress museum, while Kühkopf-Knoblochsaue offers floodplain woodland and walking and cycling routes. (Rüsselsheim fortress (opens in a new tab), District leisure guide (opens in a new tab))

Main towns

Universities here

Universities in Groß-Gerau district, biggest first.

RheinMain University of Applied Sciences has its local campus in Rüsselsheim; Darmstadt offers further nearby university options. Rüsselsheim is the natural starting point for a local campus-based routine, although HSRM advises allowing a walk or bus connection from the railway station. (HSRM student FAQ (opens in a new tab)) For study in Darmstadt, consider accommodation along the RB75 corridor through Groß-Gerau and Klein-Gerau, then check the onward journey to your actual campus. (RMV RB75 timetable (opens in a new tab)) This district is worth considering if you value access to several towns and outdoor space and are comfortable planning your commute.

Find a course in Groß-Gerau

Housing

Treat housing as competitive. HSRM warns that affordable accommodation in the Rhine-Main area is challenging to find and that residence waiting lists can take several months. Start early and pursue private rooms alongside residence applications. (HSRM housing advice (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

A residence place can keep accommodation costs down: Elisabethenstraße lists furnished single apartments at €322–436 per month including operating costs and internet, checked November 2026. (Studierendenwerk Frankfurt (opens in a new tab)) HSRM's winter 2026/27 semester contribution is €396.91, including its student Deutschlandticket contribution. (HSRM semester contribution (opens in a new tab)) For someone without an included student ticket, the ordinary Deutschlandticket costs €63 monthly in 2026. (RMV (opens in a new tab)) Compare actual housing offers rather than assuming that this district will automatically be cheaper than Frankfurt.

Jobs & employers

Automotive engineering is a useful starting point for career searches: Rüsselsheim hosts Hyundai's European technical centre, and Opel advertises student placements and working-student opportunities. (HMETC (opens in a new tab), Opel student careers (opens in a new tab)) Nearby Frankfurt Airport adds another employment route, with Fraport offering internships, working-student positions and thesis projects. These are opportunities to investigate, not a guarantee of a current vacancy. (Fraport students (opens in a new tab))

Typical student jobs

  • Technical and IT working-student roles or placements through Opel's student recruitment programme. (Opel (opens in a new tab))
  • Commercial student placements in areas such as marketing, HR and finance at Opel; check whether each opening is part-time or an internship. (Opel (opens in a new tab))
  • Airport-related working-student roles and university internships with Fraport. (Fraport (opens in a new tab))

Major employers

Getting around

Choose your town around the relevant rail corridor. The S8/S9 link Rüsselsheim with Frankfurt Airport and Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof; the published timetable gives roughly half an hour from Rüsselsheim to Frankfurt Hbf. (RMV S8/S9 (opens in a new tab)) The RB75 connects Groß-Gerau station directly with Darmstadt Hbf in about 15 minutes; Groß Gerau-Dornberg is a separate station on the Frankfurt–Riedstadt corridor. (RMV RB75 (opens in a new tab), RMV district timetables (opens in a new tab)) Local buses provide connections between towns. Check your travel date for engineering works and allow additional time from the arrival station to campus. The Deutschlandticket covers local and regional transport, rather than ordinary ICE/IC journeys. (RMV ticket information (opens in a new tab))

Main stations
Nearest airport

Frankfurt Airport (FRA)

Direct S8/S9 services connect Rüsselsheim to the airport regional station in roughly 15 minutes. (RMV timetable (opens in a new tab)) The regional station is at Terminal 1; allow extra transfer time for another terminal. (Frankfurt Airport (opens in a new tab))

Weather & seasons

Long-term averages from the German Weather Service station Darmstadt (A) (13 km from the district centre), 1991–2020.

Winter

2.7 °C

39 mm rain a month

1.7 h sun a day

Spring

10.7 °C

41 mm rain a month

5.8 h sun a day

Summer

19.2 °C

56 mm rain a month

7.5 h sun a day

Autumn

10.5 °C

45 mm rain a month

3.4 h sun a day

Expect cool winters with limited daylight and occasional frost, followed by warmer, brighter spring weather. Summers are warm, with some hot days: plan outdoor trips with water and shade in mind. Autumn brings cooler days and shorter evenings. A local marker of spring is the asparagus season and its associated Spargeltage programme. (District asparagus guide (opens in a new tab))

Culture, language & food

Local traditions include the Gerer Kerb, with its ceremonial tree-raising and dance, and Gernsheim's fishing festival. These provide opportunities to meet people beyond university. (Gerer Kerweborsch (opens in a new tab), Rheinisches Fischerfest (opens in a new tab))

For evenings out, look at specific venues and programmes: Rüsselsheim's Das Rind hosts live music and other events, while the fortress hosts concerts, exhibitions and readings. Plan around the event calendar rather than expecting a concentrated student nightlife quarter. (Das Rind (opens in a new tab), Rüsselsheim fortress (opens in a new tab))

English-language university guidance is available, and HSRM offers English-taught master's options; check the teaching language and admission requirements of your specific programme. (HSRM international guidance (opens in a new tab)) For everyday life, aim towards B1–B2 German as a practical personal goal for housing enquiries, local services and job applications, rather than treating it as a universal admission requirement. Do not assume every landlord or employer can handle arrangements in English.

Local food

Places & events

Places to see

  • Kühkopf-Knoblochsaue

    Nature

    Floodplain woodland, old Rhine channels and birdlife, with walking and cycling routes and the Schatzinsel environmental education centre. (District leisure guide (opens in a new tab))

  • Festung Rüsselsheim

    Museum

    Explore the historic fortress and its Stadt- und Industriemuseum for an introduction to the town's social and industrial history. (City of Rüsselsheim (opens in a new tab))

  • BüchnerHaus, Riedstadt-Goddelau

    Literature

    Georg Büchner's birthplace houses an exhibition about his life as a writer, republican and scientist. Admission for individual visitors is free. (BüchnerHaus (opens in a new tab))

  • Groß-Gerau old town hall

    Old town

    The historic timber-framed Rathaus is a landmark in the district town's centre. (Town background (opens in a new tab))

Events

  • The timber-framed old town hall in Groß-Gerau

    The timber-framed old town hall in Groß-Gerau

  • Courtyard and museum buildings inside Rüsselsheim fortress

    Courtyard and museum buildings inside Rüsselsheim fortress

Student experiences

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Studying in Groß-Gerau district: FAQ

Is Groß-Gerau a good place to live as a student?

It can suit students who want to study in Rüsselsheim or commute to Darmstadt. Choose the town around your campus: Rüsselsheim has local student accommodation, while Groß-Gerau station has a direct RB75 connection to Darmstadt. (HSRM housing (opens in a new tab), RMV RB75 (opens in a new tab))

Is there a university in Groß-Gerau district?

Yes. RheinMain University of Applied Sciences has its engineering campus in Rüsselsheim am Main, within the district; distinguish this from the separate town of Groß-Gerau. (HSRM (opens in a new tab))

How do I travel from Groß-Gerau to Darmstadt?

Take the RB75 from Groß-Gerau station to Darmstadt Hauptbahnhof; the published timetable gives a journey of about 15 minutes. Check onward transport to your campus, and do not confuse Groß-Gerau station with Groß Gerau-Dornberg. (RMV RB75 (opens in a new tab), RMV district timetables (opens in a new tab))

Is Groß-Gerau district expensive for students?

Affordable housing can be difficult to secure, according to HSRM. An der Feuerwache in Rüsselsheim lists rooms at €255–321 monthly including operating costs and internet, checked November 2026, but those residence prices are not a private-market average. (HSRM (opens in a new tab), Studierendenwerk Frankfurt (opens in a new tab))

What student jobs can I look for in Groß-Gerau district?

Look for technical, IT and commercial student opportunities through Opel, and airport-related working-student positions with nearby Fraport. Both publish dedicated student entry routes; availability depends on current recruitment. (Opel (opens in a new tab), Fraport (opens in a new tab))

Can I live in Groß-Gerau district without a car?

A home near your relevant rail line is worth prioritising: Rüsselsheim has S8/S9 services, and Groß-Gerau has the RB75 towards Darmstadt. For addresses farther from stations, check the connecting bus and your evening return journey before committing to housing. (RMV district timetables (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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