???aural:Bildanfang??????Großansicht des Bildes???© Lichtenscheidt/DAAD???aural:Bildende???

Germany is home to almost 400 universities which offer the entire range of disciplines. The educational system is characterised by a close link between instruction and research. German universities do not see themselves as “schools” for undergraduates and doctoral candidates, but as centres where “research and teaching are united”. This principle has a long tradition and was coined by Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767–1835), the philosopher and founder of Humboldt University in Berlin.

Approximately 245,000 international students are enrolled at German universities. Currently, 18,000 international doctoral students are enrolled and 26,000 foreign academics work in German higher education. That makes Germany one of the world’s most attractive research and higher education nations – after the USA and the UK.

The German States (“Länder”) and the Federal Government have set up the Excellence Initiative which supports research activities in various diciplines at German universities. From 2006–2017 a total of 4.6 billion euros will be invested to promote top-level research and to improve the international competitiveness of German higher education and research.

Facts and Figures

???aural:Bildanfang??????aural:Bildende???

more than 370 universities
(including approx. 200 universities of applied sciences)

???aural:Bildanfang??????aural:Bildende???

573,000 staff in total, 300,000 scientists;
2.12 million students in total, 245,000 foreign students (12%)

???aural:Bildanfang??????aural:Bildende???

Gross Domestic Expenditure on R&D at institutions of higher education:
11.1 billion euros (2008)

German University System

There are more than 370 universities in Germany, approx. 200 of which are universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen). They offer students a more practice-oriented education based on scientific research.

The German Rectors' Conference – Hochschulrektorenkonferenz (HRK) as the association of state and nationally accredited universities in Germany is the political and public voice of the German universities and the forum for the higher education institutions' joint opinion-forming process. It currently has 264 member institutions at which more than 96% of all students in Germany are registered.

Research Activities

Universities offer a broad spectrum of research activities, including basic research, applied research and development. 28% of researchers work in the natural sciences, 25% in medical science, 23% in the humanities and social sciences, 20% in engineering sciences and 4% in agricultural sciences.

Research Budget

???aural:Bildanfang??????Großansicht des Bildes???Budget of universities???aural:Bildende???

The Gross Domestic Expenditure on R&D at institutions of higher education totals approx. 11.1 billion euros (2008) and is borne by the public (82%), industry (14%) and international funding (4%).