The University of Bonn,
whose full name is The Rhenish Friedrich Wilhelm University of Bonn, was established in 1818 and named after the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm.
Founded in the Age of Enlightenment, the university aimed to develop critical thinking and liberal values. The university gained prominence very quickly, drawing top scholars from across Germany.
But by the 1930s, the Nazis’ rise to power drove many Jewish intellectuals and dissidents out of the country, and the university was severely damaged by the bombing of Bonn in 1944. The university was rebuilt after World War II, re-admitting students and academics as it struggled to regain its pre-war status.
Today, the University of Bonn is a world-renowned research university. The university has more than 35,000 students and 4,500 professors and academic staff. The university maintains partnerships with 70 universities across the world. It has an international footprint with around 4,000 international students, constituting around 12.5% of students, above the national average. The university grants approximately 800 PhDs every year.
The university is particularly strong in areas like Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy, Economics, Biosciences, and Philosophy. It boasts two Nobel laureates, Wolfgang Paul (Physics, 1989) and Reinhard Selten (Economics, 1994), and has connections to eight Leibniz Prize winners. Some of its famous alumni include Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzsche, and composer Robert Schumann.
With over 90 degree programs offered, the university is distributed among 371 buildings in Bonn, a city with historic significance along the River Rhine. Beethoven was also born in Bonn.
University Rankings:
Overall (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): 95th
Life Sciences (2025): 95th
Physical Sciences (2025): 46th
Psychology (2025): 301-400th
Social Sciences (2025): 176-200th
Performance Breakdown (2025):
Overall: 67.6
Teaching: 51.8
Research Environment: 57.4
Research Quality: 89.2
International Outlook: 72.4
Industry: 86.2
Impact Rankings (2023-2025):
Zero Hunger (2025): 101-200th
Good Health and Wellbeing (2023): 401-600th
Quality Education (2025): 401-600th
Clean Water and Sanitation (2023): 101-200th
Decent Work and Economic Growth (2024): 301-400th
Sustainable Cities and Communities (2025): 51st
Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (2024): 101-200th
Student Statistics:
Gender Ratio (Female : Male): 57 : 43
International Students: 15%
Students per Staff: 38.5
Total Students: 25,027
Notable Subject Areas:
Arts and Humanities: Archaeology, History, Philosophy, Theology, Languages, Literature, Linguistics
Business and Economics: Business, Management, Economics, Econometrics
Computer Science: Computer Science
Law
Life Sciences: Agriculture, Forestry, Biological Sciences
Medical and Health: Medicine, Dentistry, Other Health
Physical Sciences: Chemistry, Geology, Environmental, Earth, Marine Sciences, Physics, Astronomy
Psychology: Psychology
Social Sciences: Communication, Media Studies, Geography, Politics, International Studies, Sociology