Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen (JLU) was founded in 1607 by Landgrave Louis V of Hesse-Darmstadt as a Lutheran university, and it was originally known as the Ludoviciana. During the Thirty Years’ War, teaching was moved to Marburg in 1624/25, and it resumed in Gießen in 1650 after the Peace of Westphalia.
The present name honours Justus von Liebig, who became professor of chemistry at Gießen in 1824. Physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen is also named among the university’s notable professors. These two figures show the long weight of the natural sciences in the university’s history.
Today the university covers subjects from law and economics to human and veterinary medicine, agriculture and environmental science. Its own profile emphasises the life sciences. About 25,000 students are enrolled according to the university’s official presentation, with Wikipedia giving 24,961. Information on courses and application is published on the university website.
Domains taught:
Aerospace, Agriculture, AI and Machine Learning, Astroscience, Automation, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Computer Vision, Data Analytics, Ecology and Sustainability, Electrical and Electronics, Engineering, Fluid Dynamics, Food Science, Geotechnics, Industrial Design, Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Materials, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Microbiology and Genetics, Nanotechnologies, Optics, Physics, Process Control, Robotics, Signal Processing, Software Engineering, Statistics, Structural Engineering, Telecommunications, Thermodynamics, Transportations
Diplomas*:
Bachelor, Doctor, Master
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
Strong in agricultural and environmental sciences, and life sciences. Collaborations with Max Planck Institutes.
Research:
Sustainable agriculture and food security, Climate change and environmental research, Materials science and nanotechnology, Infection biology and immunology.
Famous Alumnis:
Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen (taught), Justus von Liebig
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
3500
Current students***:
26000
Foreign students***:
10%
Cumulative former students***:
N/A
Pros
Historic university with strong agricultural and life science programs, good research in specific areas.
Cons
More focused on life and agricultural sciences than broad engineering.
Best For
Research university strong in agricultural, environmental, and life sciences, with solid chemistry and physics.
Philipps-Universität Marburg, public and in the same federal state of Hesse, lists chemistry and materials science, physics and life sciences, a close match to Gießen's natural science base.
Universität Hohenheim is a public university in Stuttgart with agricultural sciences, food science and environmental science as its focus areas.
Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg is a public university with biosciences, materials science and agricultural and nutritional sciences.
Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn is a public university covering mathematics, physics, life sciences and geosciences and agriculture.
Most Similar Schools Abroad
Norwegian University of Life Sciences is a public university in Norway concentrating on life sciences, environmental sciences and veterinary medicine.
University of Reading in the United Kingdom is public, with agriculture and meteorology among its listed strengths.
In Australia, University of Adelaide is a public university listing agriculture and wine science alongside health and engineering.
Canada's University of Manitoba is a public institution with health sciences and agriculture and food sciences among its main fields.
University of Helsinki in Finland is a public university noted in the directory for life sciences, atmospheric science and computer science.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
What is the history of Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen?
The university was founded in 1607 by Louis V of Hesse-Darmstadt and was first called the Ludoviciana. Teaching relocated to Marburg from 1624/25 during the Thirty Years' War and returned to Gießen in 1650.
Who was Justus Liebig and why does the university carry his name?
Liebig was a chemist who became professor at Gießen in 1824. The university bears his name in recognition of his work there.
Which subjects does JLU offer?
Programmes range from law and economics to human medicine, veterinary medicine, agriculture and environmental science. The university describes life sciences as a particular focus.
How big is JLU?
The university speaks of about 25,000 students, and Wikipedia lists 24,961. Exact figures vary by semester.
Did any famous scientists work in Gießen?
Besides Liebig, physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen is listed among the notable professors of the university. Both are mentioned in the university's own historical overview and on Wikipedia.
Why did the university move to Marburg in the 17th century?
Teaching was suspended during the Thirty Years' War and relocated to Marburg in 1624/25. It resumed in Gießen once the Peace of Westphalia allowed it in 1650.
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
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