About the University of Bonn
Basic information and contact details for the University of Bonn
The University of Bonn has a long and fascinating history. Its full name is The Rhenish Friedrich Wilhelm University of Bonn, named after Friedrich Wilhelm III, the Prussian king who established it in 1818.
Back then, Europe was going through the Age of Enlightenment—a time when people valued reason, science, and freedom of thought. The university was built on these ideas, and because of that, it quickly became a major center for learning. Some of the brightest minds in Germany came here to teach and study.
But dark times came in the 1930s when the Nazi regime forced many Jewish professors and students to leave. Then, during World War II, the city of Bonn was heavily bombed in 1944, and much of the university was destroyed. After the war ended, the university was slowly rebuilt. Students returned, professors went back to their work, and step by step, the university regained its reputation as a top place for education and research.
Today, the University of Bonn is known worldwide for its strong research programs. It has more than 35,000 students and 4,500 academic staff, and it works closely with 70 other universities around the world. About 12.5% of its students come from outside Germany, which is higher than the average for German universities. Every year, around 800 students earn their PhDs here.
Some of its best subjects include Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy, Economics, Biosciences, and Philosophy. The university has produced two Nobel Prize winners: Wolfgang Paul (Physics, 1989) and Reinhard Selten (Economics, 1994). It’s also connected to eight winners of the Leibniz Prize, one of Germany’s top academic honors. Famous former students include Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzsche, and the composer Robert Schumann.
The university offers more than 90 different degree programs, and its buildings are spread across 371 locations in Bonn. The city itself is beautiful and historic, sitting right on the Rhine River, and it’s also the birthplace of the famous composer Ludwig van Beethoven.
Rankings
The University of Bonn performs well in many international rankings. Here’s how it stands in different categories:
- World University Rankings 2025 – 89th
- Arts and Humanities 2025 – 151-175th
- Business and Economics 2025 – 69th
- Medical and Health 2025 – 151-175th
- Computer Science 2025 – 95th
- Law 2025 – Tied at 95th
- Life Sciences 2025 – 95th
- Physical Sciences 2025 – 46th
- Psychology 2025 – 301-400th
- Social Sciences 2025 – 176-200th
A closer look at the 2025 World University Rankings:
- Overall Score: 67.6
- Teaching: 51.8
- Research Environment: 57.4
- Research Quality: 89.2
- International Outlook: 72.4
- Industry Connections: 86.2
(A graph shows how the university’s ranking has changed from 2016 to 2025.)
Impact Rankings
These rankings show how the university contributes to solving global problems:
- Zero Hunger (2024) – 101-200th
- Good Health and Wellbeing (2023) – 401-600th
- Clean Water and Sanitation (2023) – 101-200th
- Decent Work and Economic Growth (2024) – 301-400th
- Sustainable Cities and Communities (2024) – 89th
- Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (2024) – 101-200th
Discover Similar Universities
If you’re interested in the University of Bonn, you might also want to check out these other schools:
- Heidelberg University – The oldest university in Germany, founded in 1386.
- Paderborn University – Located in North Rhine-Westphalia, established in 1972.
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena – Has a rich history since 1558.
- Constructor University – A modern university in Bremen, Germany.
- Technical University of Munich – Originally called the Royal Bavarian Polytechnic School, founded in 1868.
Key Student Statistics
Here’s a quick look at student life at Bonn:
- Gender Ratio: 57% female, 43% male
- International Students: 15% (higher than the German average)
- Students per Staff Member: 38.5
- Total Number of Students: 25,027
(These numbers come from the World University Rankings 2025.)
Jobs You Might Be Interested In
If you’re looking for work in education, here are some job openings at other universities:
- Faculty Assistant – Georgetown University (Washington, USA) – Competitive salary
- Lecturer in Archaeology – University of Southampton (UK) – £39,355 to £44,128 per year
- Organisational Assistant – University of Vienna (Austria) – €2,699.20 per month
- Admissions Officer – University of Greenwich (UK) – £27,644 to £30,805 per year
- Change Management Consultant – Maynooth University (Ireland) – €58,634 to €83,657 per year
Subjects Taught at the University of Bonn
The university offers a wide range of subjects, with some ranking especially high:
- Computer Science (95th in the world)
- Medicine & Dentistry (151-175th)
- Business & Economics (69th)
- Arts & Humanities (151-175th)
- Psychology (301-400th)
- Life Sciences (95th)
- Physical Sciences (46th)
- Law (Tied at 95th)
- Social Sciences (176-200th)