Kiel University



Kiel University - Northern excellence with global appeal

Kiel University is Schleswig-Holstein's largest university and the only one offering the full range of academic disciplines. Over 26,000 students and more than 2,000 scientists across eight faculties create a highly stimulating inter-disciplinary environment, which is reflected in the University's integrative teaching profile and research agenda.

 

The establishment of four cross-faculty priority research areas – Kiel Life Sciences, Kiel Marine Sciences, Kiel Nano, Surface and Interface Science as well as Societal, Environmental and Cultural Change – have significantly enhanced Kiel's excellent international reputation in science and research over the past decade. This has resulted in repeated success in the German Excellence Initiative: the priority areas form the academic basis for the Clusters of Excellence "The Future Ocean" and "Inflammation at Interfaces", as well as the Graduate School "Human Development in Landscapes". In addition, Kiel University has recorded a boost in DFG Collaborative Research Centres and in European Research Council Grants.

We also pride ourselves on adhering to the highest standards of good scientific practice. To this end, the Gustav Radbruch Network for Environmental Philosophy and Ethics provides a unique reference point for all members of the University. The network supports our researchers and students with respect to teaching, discussing and safeguarding ethical principles across all disciplines.

Our state-of-the art research infrastructure includes Europe's largest academic Next-Generation Sequencing Platform as well as a cleanroom, a lab for analyzing ancient DNA or a platform for molecular in vivo imaging. These ensure Kiel University's continued success in international research. These ensure Kiel University's continued success in international research.

Studying and Teaching at Kiel University
190 different degrees present students with a wide range of possibilities to choose from. They extend from more general to specialised programmes, from single to interdisciplinary degrees and from basic to applied fields of study. Kiel University strives to offer students of all backgrounds a vibrant and stimulating learning environment allowing them to thrive both academically and personally. We encourage all our students to embrace diversity, challenge disciplinary boundaries and engage in an extended dialogue with society.

Research-oriented teaching plays a key role at Kiel University. Research results are quickly integrated into programme curricula and our academic staff is trained in state-of-the-art teaching methods. We encourage and facilitate research-based learning. Teacher training has a high priority at Kiel University. Our latest research on education and learning feeds directly into the teacher training courses. Supporting prospective teachers to meet the challenge of preparing future citizens, including students, researchers and teachers, for a diverse and complex society is one of our major goals.
Credit: Bevis Nickel

Engaging with Society
The general public is always welcome at Kiel University where they can benefit from our excellent knowledge infrastructure. The local community can access the extensive collections of the University library, they can participate in certified courses at the Continuing Professional Development Centre or receive advice and support on business start-ups at the Centre for Entrepreneurship.

Regular exhibitions at the University museums, collections and gardens, public lecture series as well as interactive workshops at Kieler Woche or our unique Schools' Science Lab represent just a small selection of our popular outreach activities.

Various musical and choral ensembles ranging from weekly lunchtime matinees to the great semester concert enrich Kiel's cultural landscape while sport enthusiasts can enjoy one of Germany's top sailing facilities or simply enrol in one of over 100 classes at the University Sports Centre.

More information on the University can be accessed here.