Ulm University was founded in 1967 and began as the Medizinisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Hochschule Ulm, a name that reflected its origin in medicine and the natural sciences. The foundation ceremony took place on 25 February 1967, after a working group had been formed in 1960 following the Wissenschaftsrat’s call for new universities. It is a public university in Ulm, in the state of Baden-Württemberg.
The main campus is on the Oberer Eselsberg, a hill north of the city, surrounded by clinics, companies and research institutes. This setting is part of Science City Ulm, in which the university cooperates with hospitals, technology companies and research institutions. Teaching is organised in faculties of medicine, natural sciences, mathematics and economics, and engineering, computer science and psychology.
The university has roughly 10,000 students. Its research profile includes quantum science and technology, and it also offers several master’s programmes taught in English, for example in communication technology, molecular medicine and finance. Applicants can find current degree programmes, admission rules and language requirements on the official site.
Domains taught:
AI and Machine Learning, Automation, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Chemistry, Computer Vision, Data Analytics, Ecology and Sustainability, Electrical and Electronics, Engineering, Fluid Dynamics, 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
Diplomas*:
Bachelor, Doctor, Master
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
Located in a science city (Wissenschaftsstadt Ulm). Collaborations with industry (e.g., automotive, medical technology).
Research:
Quantum technology and sensorics, Energy storage and conversion, AI and autonomous systems, Financial mathematics and actuarial science, Biomedical engineering.
Famous Alumnis:
N/A
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
1500
Current students***:
10000
Foreign students***:
10%
Cumulative former students***:
N/A
Pros
Strong research in quantum science and energy storage, good interdisciplinary programs, modern campus.
Cons
Younger university, more focused on specific research areas.
Best For
Research university focused on physics, computer science, electrical engineering, and quantum science.
Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg is a public university with physics and astronomy and life sciences and biomedicine among its main fields, close to Ulm's natural science and medical mix.
Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen is public, also in Baden-Württemberg, and lists neuroscience, machine learning and life and earth sciences as main fields.
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen is a public university with physics and chemistry, molecular biosciences, and mathematics and computer science as main fields.
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg is public and combines materials science, chemical and bioengineering, and electrical and information engineering.
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie is a public institution in Baden-Württemberg with computer science, mechanical engineering and physics as main fields.
Most Similar Schools Abroad
Universität Basel in Switzerland is a public university with life sciences, nanoscience, physics and chemistry as main fields, a near match to Ulm's science base.
University of Innsbruck in Austria is public and lists physics, mathematics, chemistry and biology among its main fields.
Université libre de Bruxelles in Belgium has physics, engineering and computer science among its main fields.
Tampere University in Finland is public and focuses on signal processing, photonics and automation.
Technische Universiteit Eindhoven in the Netherlands is public with data science, automotive technology and photonics as main fields.
*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
When was Ulm University founded?
It was founded in 1967, with a ceremony on 25 February 1967. It started as a medical and natural science institution.
What was the original name of the university?
It was first named the Medizinisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Hochschule Ulm. The name pointed to the focus on medicine and the natural sciences.
Where is the campus?
The main campus is on the Oberer Eselsberg, a hill north of the city of Ulm, with additional university hospital sites in the city. Companies and research institutes are located next to the campus.
What is Science City Ulm?
It is the cooperation between the university, hospitals, technology companies and research institutions around the campus. The university presents itself as its centre.
Which faculties does the university have?
The faculties cover medicine, natural sciences, mathematics and economics, and engineering, computer science and psychology. The structure is described on the official website.
Are there programmes in English?
Yes, several master's programmes are taught in English, among them communication technology, molecular medicine and finance. Entry requirements differ by programme, so check the programme page.
How many students attend?
The university has roughly 10,000 students according to recent reports. The figure changes each semester.
*: 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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