In short
Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis is a rural district (Landkreis) in North Rhine-Westphalia with 284,273 people (Destatis, 31 Dec 2024). There is no university in Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis district itself; the nearest is ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln in Köln, about 14 km away. Summers average 17.8 °C and winters 3.1 °C, with about 1,223 mm of rain a year (DWD, 1991–2020).
Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis district in numbers
- Population
- Area
437.32 km²Destatis 2024 (opens in a new tab)
- People per km²
- Universities in the district
- Nearest university
ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln, KölnWhere Is My Uni? catalogue (opens in a new tab)
About 14 km away in a straight line
- Average temperature
10.3 °C a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
- Rain
1,223 mm a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
- Sunshine
1,572 hours a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
- Frost days
33 a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
About Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis district
Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis lies east of Cologne, where the metropolitan area meets the Bergisches Land. Bergisch Gladbach is its administrative centre; the district also includes smaller towns and rural communities such as Wermelskirchen, Overath, Rösrath and Odenthal. District background (opens in a new tab)
Its character combines industrial history with countryside: the Alte Dombach museum explores Bergisch Gladbach’s papermaking heritage, while Altenberger Dom preserves the history of a former Cistercian abbey. These are useful starting points for understanding the area beyond its role as a place to commute from. LVR museum (opens in a new tab), Altenberger Dom-Verein (opens in a new tab)
Main towns
Bergisch Gladbach
The district’s administrative centre, with an S11 connection to Cologne. District background (opens in a new tab), S11 timetable (opens in a new tab)
Wermelskirchen
A local employment location where OBI offers headquarters apprenticeships and dual study opportunities. OBI (opens in a new tab)
Rösrath
A town on the RB25 corridor; check current disruption notices before planning a regular commute. RBK Mobil (opens in a new tab)
Overath
Another RB25 railway town, with connecting buses including the route to Bensberg. RBK Mobil (opens in a new tab)
Odenthal
The municipality containing Altenberg and its landmark former abbey church, Altenberger Dom. Altenberger Dom (opens in a new tab)
Nearest universities
No university in Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis district itself — these are the nearest (straight-line distance).
There is no university listed within the district in Where Is My Uni?’s current catalogue; nearby options are in Cologne, including TH Köln, ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln, Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln and katho. Treat this as a potential commuting base: Bergisch Gladbach has the S11, while Bensberg and Refrath have Stadtbahn line 1 towards Cologne, including Deutz. Check the journey to your actual campus before choosing accommodation. S11 timetable (opens in a new tab), KVB line 1 (opens in a new tab) It may suit students who prefer countryside access and are comfortable organising their social life around commuting. Local dual study opportunities also exist, including OBI programmes in Wermelskirchen. OBI (opens in a new tab)
ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln
Köln · 14 km away · 3 courses
Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln
Köln · 18 km away · 54 courses
Katholische Hochschule Nordrhein-Westfalen - Catholic University of Applied Sciences
Köln · 18 km away · 22 courses
Kolping Hochschule
Köln · 18 km away · 13 courses
Technische Hochschule Köln - University of Applied Sciences
Köln · 18 km away · 102 courses
Housing
Approach the district as a private-rental search rather than assuming a ready supply of student accommodation. A reliable district-wide measure of student-room availability was not established. Bergisch Gladbach publishes a 2026 Mietspiegel for assessing comparable rents, but its underlying survey excludes furnished accommodation, so it should not be treated as a furnished student-room price guide. City housing information (opens in a new tab), Mietspiegel methodology (opens in a new tab)
How to find a place
- Search WG-Gesucht, ImmoScout24 and Immowelt using individual town names, rather than only Cologne. TH Köln recommends these portals and considering well-connected surrounding towns. TH Köln housing advice (opens in a new tab)
- Compare addresses near Bergisch Gladbach station with those near line 1 in Refrath or Bensberg; test the full journey to your campus before arranging viewings. S11 timetable (opens in a new tab), KVB line 1 (opens in a new tab)
- Use the city’s free Mietspiegel to assess an ordinary apartment offer, and ask separately what heating, utilities and internet will cost. Bergisch Gladbach Mietspiegel (opens in a new tab)
- If you are also considering living near your Cologne campus, check Kölner Studierendenwerk eligibility and apply early. It accepts students from institutions including TH Köln, HfMT Köln and katho, but warns that residence places are limited. Kölner Studierendenwerk (opens in a new tab)
Cost of living
Do not budget on the assumption that living outside Cologne automatically means a cheaper room: a comparable local student-rent figure was not verified. For transport, the standard Deutschlandticket costs €63 per calendar month in 2026 and covers second-class local and regional transport; it excludes ordinary IC, EC and ICE journeys. Check your university’s semester-ticket arrangements before buying a separate subscription. VRS Deutschlandticket (opens in a new tab) Compare accommodation using the total monthly cost, including utilities and any additional travel needed to reach the station.
Jobs & employers
Verified local employers span biomedical technology, food manufacturing and retail headquarters functions. Miltenyi Biotec has its headquarters campus in Bergisch Gladbach and describes student jobs, internships and thesis opportunities; KRÜGER has food and beverage operations in the same town. OBI offers apprenticeships and dual study in Wermelskirchen. These are useful employers to monitor, although an established student programme does not guarantee a suitable vacancy at every location. Miltenyi location (opens in a new tab), Miltenyi student opportunities (opens in a new tab), KRÜGER locations (opens in a new tab), OBI (opens in a new tab)
Typical student jobs
- Temporary production work: Miltenyi includes production among its student-job departments; filter openings by location. Miltenyi (opens in a new tab)
- Research and development student work, internships and degree projects for relevant science or engineering students. Miltenyi (opens in a new tab)
- Purchasing and human-resources student support roles, also identified in Miltenyi’s student opportunities. Miltenyi (opens in a new tab)
Major employers
Miltenyi Biotec (opens in a new tab)
Biotechnology and biomedical technology
Its headquarters campus is in Bergisch Gladbach. The company develops solutions for biomedical research and cell and gene therapy. Headquarters (opens in a new tab), Company careers (opens in a new tab)
KRÜGER GROUP (opens in a new tab)
Food and beverage manufacturing
Lists Krüger GmbH & Co. KG and several other group businesses at Senefelderstraße in Bergisch Gladbach. Its local careers listings include technical and logistics apprenticeships. Locations (opens in a new tab), Careers portal (opens in a new tab)
OBI (opens in a new tab)
Home-improvement retail and headquarters services
Its headquarters training programme includes Wermelskirchen opportunities in office administration, IT and dual study. These are structured training routes, rather than casual student jobs. OBI training and study (opens in a new tab)
Getting around
The S11 connects Bergisch Gladbach with Köln Hbf in approximately 20 minutes on the published timetable; allow additional time between home, station and campus. S11 timetable (opens in a new tab) Stadtbahn line 1 connects Bensberg and Refrath with Cologne, including Deutz and Neumarkt. KVB (opens in a new tab) Rösrath and Overath use the RB25 corridor, but, checked in November 2026, the district transport site reports restrictions and cancellations continuing until 12 December 2026. Check live journeys before committing to a commute. RBK Mobil (opens in a new tab) The Deutschlandticket covers local buses, Stadtbahn, S-Bahn and regional trains in second class. VRS (opens in a new tab)
- Main stations
- Bergisch Gladbach — S11 terminus and connection towards Cologne. Timetable (opens in a new tab)
- Rösrath — RB25 corridor; check current restrictions. RBK Mobil (opens in a new tab)
- Overath — RB25 and connecting buses; check current restrictions. RBK Mobil (opens in a new tab)
- Nearest airport
Cologne Bonn Airport
The nearby airport connection includes bus 423 from the Bensberg corridor towards Köln/Bonn Flughafen in the published 2026 stop timetable. Check the current itinerary before travelling. VRS route information (opens in a new tab)
Weather & seasons
Long-term averages from the German Weather Service station Solingen-Hohenscheid (15 km from the district centre), 1991–2020.
Winter
3.1 °C
123 mm rain a month
1.8 h sun a day
Spring
10 °C
80 mm rain a month
5.4 h sun a day
Summer
17.8 °C
99 mm rain a month
6.6 h sun a day
Autumn
10.3 °C
106 mm rain a month
3.4 h sun a day
Expect rain throughout the year, cool and often grey winters, and generally mild summers with occasional hot days. Waterproof layers are useful for walking to stations and spending time outdoors. Spring and summer give you longer evenings for exploring; autumn brings wetter paths and shorter days. The nearby weather station is a regional guide rather than a forecast for every town or hillside.
Culture, language & food
Local social life has a strong association and festival element: Bergisch Gladbach’s Stadt- und Kulturfest brings together local organisations, music and dance groups. Carnival also reaches individual neighbourhoods, with separate processions in Bensberg, Refrath and central Gladbach. City festival (opens in a new tab), Local carnival coverage (opens in a new tab)
For a student, joining a local club or attending these events is a practical way to meet people beyond campus. If frequent late-night university socialising is a priority, check your return connections carefully before choosing a home outside Cologne.
Plan to use German for housing enquiries, everyday administration and local social activities; do not assume that English will be available everywhere. As a practical learning goal, aim for B1 for everyday independence and continue towards B2 for more demanding workplace communication—this is advice, not a universal admission or employment requirement. VHS Bergisch Gladbach offers German courses at several levels. VHS German courses (opens in a new tab) Local carnival language also includes dialect expressions, but newcomers should prioritise standard German. Carnival coverage (opens in a new tab)
Local food
Bergische Kaffeetafel
A substantial regional spread combining coffee, breads, sweet toppings and savoury accompaniments, traditionally served with a Dröppelmina coffee pot. It is more of a shared meal than a quick coffee break. Das Bergische (opens in a new tab)
Bergische Waffeln
Regional waffles traditionally served with hot cherries and cream, or rice pudding with cinnamon and sugar. Das Bergische (opens in a new tab)
Hefeblatz
A yeast loaf that forms part of the traditional Bergische Kaffeetafel alongside darker breads and toppings. Das Bergische (opens in a new tab)
Places & events
Places to see
Altenberger Dom
Historic church
The Gothic former abbey church in Odenthal-Altenberg is a major local landmark. Despite its name, it was not a bishop’s cathedral. Altenberger Dom (opens in a new tab)
Papiermühle Alte Dombach
Museum
This LVR industrial museum in Bergisch Gladbach explains handmade and industrial papermaking in a former paper mill beside the Strunde. LVR (opens in a new tab)
Schloss Bensberg
Palace
A Baroque former hunting palace in Bergisch Gladbach’s Bensberg district, now used as a grand hotel. Treat it as an architectural landmark rather than assuming it operates as a public palace museum. Schloss Bensberg (opens in a new tab)
Große Dhünntalsperre
Nature
A drinking-water reservoir with designated walking routes through the surrounding landscape. Stay on authorised paths: entering the water and leaving the paths in the protected zone are prohibited. aqualon visitor guidance (opens in a new tab)
Events
Bergisch Gladbach Stadt- und Kulturfest (opens in a new tab)
September; the verified 2026 edition ran from 11–13 September.
An annual town-centre festival with live music, local organisations, markets and the StadtLauf running event. City programme (opens in a new tab)
Altenberger Adventsmarkt (opens in a new tab)
Advent; the published 2026 dates are 4–6 December.
A recurring Christmas market beside Altenberger Dom and Haus Altenberg, featuring crafts and musical performances. Das Bergische (opens in a new tab)
Altenberger Dom viewed from the northwest
Aerial view of Große Dhünntalsperre and the surrounding wooded landscape
Student experiences
First-hand posts from students in Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis district, read by our team before they appear.
Loading experiences…
Studying in Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis district: FAQ
Is Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis a good place to live as a student?
It can suit students who want countryside access and are comfortable commuting to Cologne. Start by checking homes near Bergisch Gladbach’s S11 or the line 1 stops in Bensberg and Refrath against your actual campus journey. S11 timetable (opens in a new tab), KVB line 1 (opens in a new tab)
Is there a university in Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis?
Where Is My Uni?’s current catalogue lists no university within the district. Its nearby options are in Cologne, including TH Köln, ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln, Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln, katho and Kolping Hochschule.
How do I get from Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis to Cologne?
From Bergisch Gladbach, the S11 takes approximately 20 minutes to Köln Hbf on the published timetable; Bensberg and Refrath have Stadtbahn line 1. Rösrath and Overath are on the RB25 corridor, where restrictions are reported through 12 December 2026. S11 (opens in a new tab), KVB (opens in a new tab), RB25 updates (opens in a new tab)
Is Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis cheaper than Cologne?
A reliable like-for-like student-room comparison was not verified, so savings should not be assumed. Use Bergisch Gladbach’s Mietspiegel as an apartment-rent reference and compare actual offers including utilities and travel. City Mietspiegel (opens in a new tab)
What student jobs can I look for in Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis?
Miltenyi Biotec is a local employer to check for student opportunities in production, research, purchasing and human resources. Its student programme also includes internships and degree projects; check each vacancy’s location and requirements. Student opportunities (opens in a new tab), Bergisch Gladbach headquarters (opens in a new tab)
Are there student residences in Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis?
No student residence within the district was confirmed for this guide. Students attending eligible Cologne institutions can also investigate Kölner Studierendenwerk accommodation outside the district, but places are limited. Residence directory (opens in a new tab), Eligibility and applications (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
- Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis — geographical background (opens in a new tab)
- Bergisch Gladbach — Mietspiegel information (opens in a new tab)
- Bergisch Gladbach 2026 Mietspiegel methodology (opens in a new tab)
- TH Köln — housing advice (opens in a new tab)
- Kölner Studierendenwerk — housing eligibility and applications (opens in a new tab)
- Kölner Studierendenwerk — residence directory (opens in a new tab)
- VRR — S11 timetable 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- KVB — line 1 stops (opens in a new tab)
- RBK Mobil — RB25 disruption updates (opens in a new tab)
- VRS — Deutschlandticket price and validity (opens in a new tab)
- VRS — Bensberg corridor airport bus timetable (opens in a new tab)
- Miltenyi Biotec — headquarters and HR contact (opens in a new tab)
- Miltenyi Biotec — careers and business activities (opens in a new tab)
- Miltenyi Biotec — student jobs, internships and theses (opens in a new tab)
- KRÜGER GROUP — locations (opens in a new tab)
- KRÜGER GROUP — careers portal (opens in a new tab)
- OBI — headquarters apprenticeships and dual study (opens in a new tab)
- LVR — Papiermühle Alte Dombach (opens in a new tab)
- Altenberger Dom-Verein (opens in a new tab)
- Altenberger Dom — location and history (opens in a new tab)
- Schloss Bensberg — history and present use (opens in a new tab)
- aqualon — reservoir recreation and water protection (opens in a new tab)
- Das Bergische — regional Kaffeetafel and food (opens in a new tab)
- Bergisch Gladbach — Stadt- und Kulturfest 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- Das Bergische — Altenberger Adventsmarkt 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- Bürgerportal Bergisch Gladbach — carnival 2025/2026 archive (opens in a new tab)
- VHS Bergisch Gladbach — German courses (opens in a new tab)
- Wikimedia Commons — Schloss Bensberg photograph (opens in a new tab)
- Wikimedia Commons — Altenberger Dom photograph (opens in a new tab)
- Wikimedia Commons — Große Dhünntalsperre photograph (opens in a new tab)
Photo credits
- Landscape view of Schloss Bensberg in Bergisch Gladbach — Raimond Spekking (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Altenberger Dom viewed from the northwest — Karlunun (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Aerial view of Große Dhünntalsperre and the surrounding wooded landscape — Arne Müseler (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 3.0 de
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