The German Universities of Excellence are a group of universities in Germany that have been recognized for their outstanding research contributions and academic excellence. The Excellence Initiative was launched by the German federal and state governments in 2005 to promote top-level research and enhance the international competitiveness of German universities. The initiative went through different phases, and the Excellence Strategy replaced it in 2019.
Furthermore, 57 Clusters of Excellence are conducting exceptional research across 34 university locations. Read this blog to learn more about the German Universities of Excellence.
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About the German Universities of Excellence
Under the Excellence Initiative and the Excellence Strategy, certain universities were awarded the title of “University of Excellence” or “Cluster of Excellence.” These institutions receive additional funding to strengthen their research capabilities and promote innovation.
From 2019 to 2026, ten individual universities and one university consortium in Germany will hold the prestigious designation of University of Excellence. The Federal Government and the German states implemented the Excellence Strategy to choose these institutions, aiming to foster cutting-edge university research. Universities of Excellence, granted substantial additional funding in the millions of euros, boast exceptional international connections.
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Name of the German Universities of Excellence
Below are the names of the universities that fall into the German Universities of Excellence.
University Name | Average Tuition Fees | QS World Ranking 2024 |
RWTH Aachen University | No tuition fees, students are supposed to submit a social contribution fee to the student body | 106 |
Berlin University Alliance (Freie Universität, Humboldt-Universität, Technische Universität and Charité – Universitätsmedizin) | Varies from 4,750 EUR to 9,000 per semester | – |
University of Bonn | No tuition fees, students are supposed to submit a social contribution fee to the student body | 239 |
Technische Universität Dresden | No tuition fees, students are supposed to submit a social contribution fee to the student body | 246 |
Universität Hamburg | No tuition fees, students are supposed to submit a social contribution fees to the student body | 205 |
Heidelberg University | 151.05 EUR per semester | 87 |
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) | 7,165 EUR per semester | 119 |
University of Konstanz | 1.679 EUR per semester | 478 |
LMU Munich | 1000 EUR per semester | 54 |
Technical University of Munich | 2,000-3,000 EUR per semester | 37 |
University of Tübingen | 1,500 EUR per semester | 213 |
Selection Criteria for the Universities of Excellence
A university qualified for consideration only if it could showcase a minimum of two Clusters of Excellence. The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and the pivotal German Council of Science and Humanities, the country’s foremost research policy advisory body, strictly oversaw the selection process, adhering to academic criteria.
Assistance Provided to the Universities of Excellence
From November 2019 to 2026, the universities will receive annual funding ranging from 10 to 15 million euros, intended for research-related endeavors. The goal is to reinforce the institutional frameworks of the universities and facilitate, for instance, innovative approaches to internationalization.
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Rationale Behind Germany’s Investment in Universities of Excellence
The primary goal is to enhance cutting-edge research within the country. Moreover, the Excellence Strategy seeks to bolster the international competitiveness of universities. The assessment of the Excellence Initiative has already demonstrated that the positive influence of exceptional higher education institutions extends across the entire German university landscape. Consequently, the Excellence Strategy not only reinforces Germany’s standing as a hub for higher education and research but also expands its support to further solidify this position.
FAQs
Ans: German Universities of Excellence achieve recognition for their exceptional research contributions and academic excellence. They receive additional funding to strengthen research capabilities and enhance international competitiveness.
Ans. The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and the German Council of Science and Humanities strictly base the selection process for considering a university on academic criteria. The university must present at least two Clusters of Excellence.
Ans: The main objective is to fortify cutting-edge research and improve the international competitiveness of German universities. The Excellence Strategy aims to strengthen Germany’s position as a centre for higher education and research.
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