Bielefeld

The perfect blend of natural sites and city life

Bielefeld

The perfect blend of natural sites and city life

Bielefeld is the 8th largest city in the West German region of North Rhine-Westphalia. Bielefeld’s reputation as an everyday German city is compounded by the satirical Bielefeld Conspiracy which claims the city does not even exist. However, there’s more than meets the eye in Bielefeld. Today it is a city of two halves, the historic side located to the north of the Teutoburg Forest and the newer side to the south. The city’s 13th-century Sparrenburg Castle dominates the city skyline.

More about Bielefeld

1214

Founding Year

334,000

Population

27,000

Students

Universities

Bielefeld has a population of 334,000. Approximately 27,000 of those attend one of the city’s 2 universities. The city was founded in 1214.

Studying and Working in Bielefeld

The University of Bielefeld is the largest university in the city. It is a modern, reform university well-known for its highly ranking Faculty of Sociology. The city is also home to the Technical Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences which specializes in design, photography and fashion. Students in Bielefeld enjoy both the vibrant arts scene of the city center and easy access to natural sites including mountains and forests.

Bielefeld was a Hanseatic ‘City of Linen’ and today cloth manufacturing continues alongside appliance, heavy machinery, food and plastics manufacturing. Major employers include Dr. Oetker’s, Schüco and DMG Mori Aktiengesellschaft. The city also has excellent transport links to neighboring cities where commuting residents can find employment, such as Hannover, Munster and Dortmund.