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Universitäten

Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena

Jena,  Thüringen, Germany

Founded
1558
Students
16,552
International
14.8%
Programmes
182
Taught in English
34

About Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena

Friedrich Schiller University Jena (FSU Jena), founded in 1558, is one of Germany's oldest universities and the largest higher education institution in the state of Thuringia. It is organised into ten faculties covering the full spectrum of academic disciplines from natural and life sciences to humanities, law, social sciences, and economics. In Winter Semester 2024/25 the university enrolled 16,552 students, of whom 2,346 (14.8%) were international students from more than 100 countries.

FSU Jena employs over 10,000 people including its university hospital, making it one of Thuringia's largest employers. The university holds 488 international partnerships across 73 countries and generated €183.3 million in third-party research funding in 2024. Its guiding research profile is summarised under the motto "Light, Life, Liberty", reflecting strengths in photonics and optics, life sciences, and social-philosophical inquiry.

Study is offered across 223 degree programmes; 25 of these are taught in English, while the remainder are German-medium. The university participates in the European Campus of City-Universities (EC2U) network and offers joint international degree programmes. No tuition fees are charged for standard bachelor's and consecutive master's programmes.

Founded 1558 - over 460 years of academic history, one of Germany's oldest universities

16,552 students in WS 2024/25 with 2,346 international students (14.8%) from 100+ countries

10 faculties, 223 degree programmes including 25 English-taught programmes

No tuition fees for bachelor's and consecutive master's programmes; Thuringia has not introduced non-EU fees

Research strengths in photonics/optics, life sciences, and social philosophy under the motto 'Light, Life, Liberty'

488 international partnerships across 73 countries; member of the EC2U European university network

APS certificate required for applicants from India, China, and Vietnam

Key facts

Type
Universitäten
Founded
1558
Students
16,552
International
~14.8% (2,346 international students, WS 2024/25)
Faculties
10
Programmes
182

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