# Study in Landkreis Rostock district, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

> Landkreis Rostock is a rural district (Landkreis) in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania with 218,721 people (Destatis, 31 Dec 2024). It has one university: Fachhochschule für öffentliche Verwaltung, Polizei und Rechtspflege des Landes Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Güstrow). Summers average 17.2 °C and winters 1.5 °C, with about 595 mm of rain a year (DWD, 1991–2020).

Landkreis Rostock combines Baltic beaches and rural towns.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,721 | Destatis, 31 Dec 2024 |
| Area | 3,431.06 km² | Destatis |
| Universities in the district | 1 | Where Is My Uni? catalogue |
| Nearest university | Fachhochschule für öffentliche Verwaltung, Polizei und Rechtspflege des Landes Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Güstrow (13 km) | Where Is My Uni? catalogue |
| Mean temperature | 9.1 °C (summer 17.2 °C, winter 1.5 °C) | DWD 1991–2020 |
| Rain | 595 mm a year | DWD 1991–2020 |
| Sunshine | 1,714 hours a year | DWD 1991–2020 |

## About Landkreis Rostock district

Landkreis Rostock surrounds the separate city of Rostock, combining Baltic seaside resorts with inland countryside. Güstrow is the district capital; Rostock itself is outside the district ([district economic development agency](https://www.w-lr.de/tourismus/), [district background](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landkreis_Rostock)).

The coast includes Kühlungsborn, Heiligendamm and Graal-Müritz. Inland, the landscape shifts to lakes, the Warnow and Recknitz valleys, and the hills around Teterow. Historic town centres, manor houses and former monasteries give the district plenty to explore beyond the beach ([Landkreis Rostock](https://www.landkreis-rostock.de/de/tourismus.html)).

- **Güstrow**: The district capital and an inland base for administration and services ([district background](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landkreis_Rostock)).
- **Bad Doberan**: Known for its brick Gothic minster and the Molli steam railway to Heiligendamm and Kühlungsborn ([Doberaner Münster](https://www.muenster-doberan.de/de/kalender/oeffnungszeiten)).
- **Kühlungsborn**: A Baltic seaside town with a beach, promenade and pier ([Kühlungsborn tourism](https://www.kuehlungsborn.de/kuehlungsborn/strand-promenade/)).
- **Teterow**: An inland town associated with the Mecklenburgische Schweiz landscape and the Bergring motor-racing tradition ([Landkreis Rostock](https://www.landkreis-rostock.de/de/tourismus.html)).

## Universities

Güstrow has the state's specialist Fachhochschule für öffentliche Verwaltung, Polizei und Rechtspflege. Its public-administration degree follows a dual-study recruitment route; the state currently lists German or another EU citizenship among that programme's eligibility conditions ([state careers portal](https://karriere-in-mv.de/alv)). The University of Rostock and Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock are in nearby Rostock city. Güstrow can suit students who prefer a smaller town: the S2 takes about 30 minutes to Rostock Hauptbahnhof, before the onward journey to campus ([DB timetable](https://www.bahnhof.de/downloads/schedule/Regeltafel_2432.pdf)). Choose accommodation around your actual teaching location and evening return connections.

- **Fachhochschule für öffentliche Verwaltung, Polizei und Rechtspflege des Landes Mecklenburg-Vorpommern** (Güstrow) — 6 courses

## Housing

Start with town-specific housing searches. In Güstrow, AWG offers furnished one-room flats near the Fachhochschule for students, trainees and other young people ([AWG Güstrow](https://awg-guestrow.de/junges-wohnen/)). The college also has campus accommodation for eligible participants ([state careers portal](https://karriere-in-mv.de/alv)). These options do not establish that the wider district's housing market is relaxed, and no reliable current district-wide student-rent benchmark was verified.

**How to find a place**

- Ask AWG Güstrow about its furnished flats at Ringstraße 93–94; request the complete monthly cost and current availability ([AWG young housing](https://awg-guestrow.de/junges-wohnen/)).
- Search Wohnungsgesellschaft Güstrow's rental portal or submit its housing-request form ([WGG Güstrow](https://www.wgg-guestrow.de/)).
- If entering the Fachhochschule's public-administration programme, ask about campus accommodation during recruitment ([state careers portal](https://karriere-in-mv.de/alv)).
- Before signing in Güstrow, test your full commute rather than just the station-to-station journey; the S2 and S3 follow different routes to Rostock ([DB timetable](https://www.bahnhof.de/downloads/schedule/Regeltafel_2432.pdf)).

**Student residences**

- [Campus accommodation at Fachhochschule Güstrow](https://karriere-in-mv.de/alv) (Fachhochschule für öffentliche Verwaltung, Polizei und Rechtspflege des Landes Mecklenburg-Vorpommern): The state confirms that public-administration students living far away can apply for a campus residence place; access for students of other universities was not verified ([state careers portal](https://karriere-in-mv.de/alv)).

## Cost of living

Useful transport benchmarks are €63 per month for a standard Deutschlandticket subscription, as listed in November 2026, and €2.30 for a single journey within the Güstrow or Bützow town networks under the tariff effective from December 2025 ([VVW Deutschlandticket](https://www.verkehrsverbund-warnow.de/deutschlandticket.html), [VVW fares](https://www.verkehrsverbund-warnow.de/aktuelles/verbundtarif.html)). Check whether your university already provides a semester ticket before buying a separate subscription. Furnished accommodation can reduce initial furniture spending ([AWG Güstrow](https://awg-guestrow.de/junges-wohnen/)). A reliable rent comparison with major German cities was not verified, so compare the full housing and commuting cost rather than assuming a rural address is cheaper.

## Jobs & employers

Tourism is an important district employer, while healthcare and chemical production provide other career routes ([district economic development agency](https://www.w-lr.de/tourismus/), [KMG Güstrow](https://kmg-kliniken.de/karriere/standorte/arbeiten-in-guestrow), [Poppendorf municipality](https://www.gemeinde-poppendorf.de/wirtschaft.php)). Karls' recruitment pages provide concrete examples of seasonal and part-time work in Rövershagen. Hospital and industrial roles should be checked individually for qualifications, working hours and compatibility with study ([Karls recruitment](https://scheunentor.karls.de/jobs)).

- Visitor-attraction and ride-operation work in Rövershagen, including seasonal roles ([Karls recruitment](https://scheunentor.karls.de/jobs)).
- Retail and farm-shop work, including part-time positions in Rövershagen ([Karls recruitment](https://scheunentor.karls.de/jobs)).
- Seasonal strawberry harvesting and sales; check the precise work location ([Karls seasonal work](https://karls.de/jobs-bei-karls/)).
- Food-service work at visitor attractions; check whether the advertised hours fit your timetable ([Karls recruitment](https://scheunentor.karls.de/jobs)).

- **KMG Klinikum Güstrow** (Healthcare): Operates the Güstrow hospital, a teaching hospital of Universitätsmedizin Rostock, alongside local care and healthcare-training facilities ([KMG](https://kmg-kliniken.de/karriere/standorte/arbeiten-in-guestrow)).
- **Yara Rostock** (Fertilisers and chemicals): The plant branded Yara Rostock is in Poppendorf and manufactures mineral fertilisers ([Poppendorf municipality](https://www.gemeinde-poppendorf.de/wirtschaft.php)).
- **Karls** (Visitor attractions, retail, food service and agriculture): Its Rövershagen operation recruits for hospitality, farm-shop, production and seasonal attraction roles ([Karls recruitment](https://scheunentor.karls.de/jobs)).

## Getting around

The Verkehrsverbund Warnow covers Rostock city and the surrounding district ([VVW](https://www.verkehrsverbund-warnow.de/urlaub-freizeit/sehenswuerdigkeiten-ausflugsziele.html)). From Güstrow, allow approximately 30 minutes to Rostock Hauptbahnhof on the S2 via Schwaan or 43 minutes on the S3 via Laage, based on DB's published regular timetable; check engineering changes before travelling ([DB timetable](https://www.bahnhof.de/downloads/schedule/Regeltafel_2432.pdf)). Bad Doberan lies on the regional railway between Wismar and Rostock and connects with the Molli railway ([station background](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahnhof_Bad_Doberan)). The Deutschlandticket covers ordinary local and regional transport; the Molli requires an additional payment, and long-distance services have separate rules and limited exceptions ([VVW ticket conditions](https://www.verkehrsverbund-warnow.de/deutschlandticket.html)).

- Station: Güstrow — regional trains and S-Bahn services towards Rostock ([DB timetable](https://www.bahnhof.de/downloads/schedule/Regeltafel_2432.pdf)).
- Station: Bützow — served by regional trains from Güstrow ([DB timetable](https://www.bahnhof.de/downloads/schedule/Regeltafel_2432.pdf)).
- Station: Bad Doberan — regional railway and Molli interchange ([station background](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahnhof_Bad_Doberan)).
- Nearest airport: Rostock–Laage Airport — The local airport is reached via the A19 Laage exit. Its current access guidance points public-transport passengers to the pre-booked rubi demand-responsive service; confirm the connection for your flight ([airport access](https://www.rostock-airport.de/anreise-parken)).

## Weather & seasons

- Winter: 1.5 °C, 44 mm rain a month, 1.7 h sun a day
- Spring: 8.2 °C, 40 mm rain a month, 6.1 h sun a day
- Summer: 17.2 °C, 66 mm rain a month, 7.4 h sun a day
- Autumn: 9.5 °C, 48 mm rain a month, 3.5 h sun a day

Expect cool winters with limited sunshine, a brighter spring and generally mild summers rather than prolonged heat. Bring waterproof layers and plan winter journeys around daylight. Spring brings the rhododendron flowering season in Graal-Müritz, while summer is a good time to plan beach days and coastal events ([Graal-Müritz tourism](https://www.graal-mueritz.de/rhododendronpark/), [Kühlungsborn tourism](https://www.kuehlungsborn.de/hafenfest/)).

## Culture & language

Local cultural life includes Ernst Barlach's sculpture in Güstrow, brick Gothic architecture in Bad Doberan and seasonal events in the coastal resorts ([Barlach museums](https://barlach-museen.de/dauerausstellung-gertrudenkapelle/), [Doberaner Münster](https://www.muenster-doberan.de/de/kalender/oeffnungszeiten), [Kühlungsborn harbour festival](https://www.kuehlungsborn.de/hafenfest/)). Think of the district as a base for museums, outdoor time and planned evenings out; check individual venues and return transport before choosing it for nightlife.

Plattdeutsch, or Low German, is part of Mecklenburg's regional cultural heritage and is actively supported in the state ([Mecklenburg-Vorpommern government](https://www.mecklenburg-vorpommern.de/seite/niederdeutsche-sprache)).

Some cultural attractions accommodate English: the Barlach museums offer English tours on request, and Doberaner Münster also organises English-language guided visits ([Barlach museums](https://barlach-museen.de/besuch/), [Doberaner Münster](https://www.muenster-doberan.de/de/kalender/oeffnungszeiten)). Do not assume that this extends to every landlord, employer or administrative appointment. As a practical preparation target, aim for B1–B2 German for independent daily life; this is not a stated admission requirement. Plattdeutsch belongs to the regional heritage, but prioritise standard German in your studies ([state government](https://www.mecklenburg-vorpommern.de/seite/niederdeutsche-sprache)).

## Local food

- **Baltic fish and smoked fish**: Fish dishes, smoked fish and fish soup are established parts of the coastal food offering in Kühlungsborn ([local tourism board](https://www.kuehlungsborn.de/kuehlungsborn/essen-trinken)).
- **Sanddorn products**: Sea buckthorn appears in sweets, liqueurs and other coastal food products ([Kühlungsborn tourism](https://www.kuehlungsborn.de/kuehlungsborn/essen-trinken)).
- **Mecklenburg-style hearty cooking**: Regional cooking makes use of potatoes, dried fruit, kale, turnips and beans; look for these ingredients alongside fish and game dishes ([Kühlungsborn tourism](https://www.kuehlungsborn.de/kuehlungsborn/essen-trinken)).

## Events

- **Rhododendronparkfest, Graal-Müritz** (May): An annual park festival during the rhododendron season, with live music, crafts and regional stalls ([Graal-Müritz tourism](https://www.graal-mueritz.de/rhododendronpark/)).
- **Kühlungsborner Hafenfest** (Late August): A recurring harbour festival with live music, food and family activities. The official page announces the next edition for 27–29 August 2027 ([Kühlungsborn tourism](https://www.kuehlungsborn.de/hafenfest/)).

## Places to see

- **Doberaner Münster** (Architecture): A brick Gothic former monastery church with historic altars, carved furnishings and guided visits ([Doberaner Münster](https://www.muenster-doberan.de/de/kalender/oeffnungszeiten)).
- **Gertrudenkapelle, Güstrow** (Museum): A Gothic chapel displaying Ernst Barlach's sculpture, with a surrounding park containing further sculptures ([Barlach museums](https://barlach-museen.de/dauerausstellung-gertrudenkapelle/)).
- **Kühlungsborn beach and promenade** (Coast): A seaside walking and beach destination with a promenade and pier ([Kühlungsborn tourism](https://www.kuehlungsborn.de/kuehlungsborn/strand-promenade/)).
- **Rhododendronpark, Graal-Müritz** (Nature): A park behind the dunes, particularly colourful during the May–June flowering season; ordinary park admission is free ([Graal-Müritz tourism](https://www.graal-mueritz.de/rhododendronpark/)).

## FAQ

### Is Landkreis Rostock a good place to live as a student?

It can suit students who want a smaller-town base and are comfortable commuting. Güstrow has a direct S2 journey of about 30 minutes to Rostock Hauptbahnhof; add the journey from your home to the station and from the station to campus ([DB timetable](https://www.bahnhof.de/downloads/schedule/Regeltafel_2432.pdf)).

### Is there a university in Landkreis Rostock?

Yes: Güstrow has the Fachhochschule für öffentliche Verwaltung, Polizei und Rechtspflege. Its public-administration degree uses a dual-study recruitment route with specific eligibility conditions, so international applicants should check the programme before applying ([state careers portal](https://karriere-in-mv.de/alv)).

### Is Rostock city part of Landkreis Rostock?

No. Rostock is a separate city surrounded by the district; the district capital is Güstrow ([district background](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landkreis_Rostock)).

### Is Landkreis Rostock inexpensive for students?

A reliable current student-rent benchmark for the district was not verified. Güstrow does have furnished housing aimed at students and trainees, but compare the full rent and commuting cost before deciding ([AWG Güstrow](https://awg-guestrow.de/junges-wohnen/)).

### What part-time jobs can students find in Landkreis Rostock?

Verified examples include retail, food-service and seasonal visitor-attraction work at Karls in Rövershagen. Availability and working hours vary, so check the employer's current recruitment portal ([Karls](https://scheunentor.karls.de/jobs)).

### Can I use the Deutschlandticket around Landkreis Rostock?

Yes, on ordinary regional trains, S-Bahn and local buses. The Molli railway requires an additional payment, while long-distance trains follow separate rules with limited exceptions ([VVW](https://www.verkehrsverbund-warnow.de/deutschlandticket.html)).

## Sources

- [Landkreis Rostock: tourism and landscapes](https://www.landkreis-rostock.de/de/tourismus.html)
- [District economic development agency: tourism](https://www.w-lr.de/tourismus/)
- [Wikipedia: Landkreis Rostock geography and administration](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landkreis_Rostock)
- [State careers portal: public-administration study and campus housing](https://karriere-in-mv.de/alv)
- [AWG Güstrow: housing for young people](https://awg-guestrow.de/junges-wohnen/)
- [WGG Güstrow: rental housing](https://www.wgg-guestrow.de/)
- [DB: Güstrow regular departure timetable](https://www.bahnhof.de/downloads/schedule/Regeltafel_2432.pdf)
- [VVW: Deutschlandticket prices and conditions](https://www.verkehrsverbund-warnow.de/deutschlandticket.html)
- [VVW: fares effective December 2025](https://www.verkehrsverbund-warnow.de/aktuelles/verbundtarif.html)
- [VVW: regional transport and excursions](https://www.verkehrsverbund-warnow.de/urlaub-freizeit/sehenswuerdigkeiten-ausflugsziele.html)
- [Wikipedia: Bad Doberan railway station](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahnhof_Bad_Doberan)
- [Rostock Airport: access and pre-booked transport](https://www.rostock-airport.de/anreise-parken)
- [KMG: Güstrow employment location](https://kmg-kliniken.de/karriere/standorte/arbeiten-in-guestrow)
- [Poppendorf municipality: local employers and Yara](https://www.gemeinde-poppendorf.de/wirtschaft.php)
- [Karls: recruitment portal](https://scheunentor.karls.de/jobs)
- [Karls: seasonal employment](https://karls.de/jobs-bei-karls/)
- [Doberaner Münster: visits, architecture and tours](https://www.muenster-doberan.de/de/kalender/oeffnungszeiten)
- [Ernst Barlach museums: Gertrudenkapelle](https://barlach-museen.de/dauerausstellung-gertrudenkapelle/)
- [Ernst Barlach museums: visitor information](https://barlach-museen.de/besuch/)
- [Kühlungsborn tourism: food and regional specialities](https://www.kuehlungsborn.de/kuehlungsborn/essen-trinken)
- [Kühlungsborn tourism: beach and promenade](https://www.kuehlungsborn.de/kuehlungsborn/strand-promenade/)
- [Kühlungsborn tourism: harbour festival](https://www.kuehlungsborn.de/hafenfest/)
- [Graal-Müritz tourism: rhododendron park and annual festival](https://www.graal-mueritz.de/rhododendronpark/)
- [Mecklenburg-Vorpommern government: Low German](https://www.mecklenburg-vorpommern.de/seite/niederdeutsche-sprache)
- [Wikimedia Commons: Kühlungsborn pier photograph](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:K%C3%BChlungsborn,_Pier_--_2024_--_5216.jpg)
- [Wikimedia Commons: Güstrow palace photograph](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Guestrow_Renaissanceschloss.jpg)
- [Wikimedia Commons: Doberaner Münster photograph](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bad_Doberan,_Doberaner_M%C3%BCnster_--_2024_--_5099.jpg)

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Published by [Where Is My Uni?](https://whereismyuni.com) — every German university on one map. Canonical page: https://whereismyuni.com/study-in/mecklenburg-western-pomerania/landkreis-rostock-district. Last updated November 2026. [How we research](https://whereismyuni.com/study-in/how-we-research).