View source for University of Freiburg

{{Short description|Public university in Freiburg, Germany}}
{{distinguish||text=the [[University of Fribourg]]}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{more citations needed|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = University of Freiburg
 | native_name            = Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
 | native_name_lang       = de
 | image                  = Siegel der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg.svg
 | latin_name             = Alma Mater Alberto-Ludoviciana
 | motto                  = ''Die Wahrheit wird euch frei machen''
 | mottoeng               = [[The truth will set you free]]
 | established            = {{start date and age|1457|9|21|df=y}}
 | type                   = [[Public university|Public]]
 | budget                 = € 340.1 million<ref name=universitaet-in-zahlen>{{cite web |url=https://www.uni-freiburg.de/universitaet/portrait/universitaet-in-zahlen |title= Universität in Zahlen |language=de |website=University of Freiburg |access-date=20 May 2020}} [[University Medical Center Freiburg|Medical Center]] and Faculty of Medicine not included.</ref>
 | rector                 = [[Kerstin Krieglstein]]
 | academic_staff         = 4,602<ref name=universitaet-in-zahlen/>
 | administrative_staff   = 2,136<ref name=universitaet-in-zahlen/>
 | students               = 24,391<ref name=universitaet-in-zahlen/>
 | city                   = [[Freiburg im Breisgau]]
 | state                  = [[Baden-Württemberg]]
 | country                = Germany
 | coordinates            = {{coord|47|59|39|N|7|50|49|E|region:DE-NI_type:edu|display=title}}
 | mapframe               = yes
 | mapframe-zoom          = 12
 | pushpin_map            = Germany#Baden-Württemberg
 | campus                 = University town
 | colors                 = Blue and White<br />{{color box|#004A99}} {{color box|white}}
 | logo_size              = 250px
 | website                = {{URL|https://uni-freiburg.de}}
 | logo                   =Wortmarke-grundform-universitaet freiburg blau rgb.png
 | logo_caption           = 
 | affiliations           = {{hlist|[[German U15|U15]]|[[European University Association|EUA]]|[[International Forum of Public Universities|IFPU]]|[[EUCOR]]|[[LERU]]| EPICUR|[[German Universities Excellence Initiative|GUEI]]}}
}}

The '''University of Freiburg''' (colloquially {{langx|de|link=no|Uni Freiburg}}), officially the '''Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg''' ({{langx|de|link=no|Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg}}), is a [[public university|public]] [[research university]] located in [[Freiburg im Breisgau]], [[Baden-Württemberg]], [[Germany]]. The university was founded in 1457 by the [[House of Habsburg|Habsburg]] dynasty as the second university in Austrian-Habsburg territory after the [[University of Vienna]]. Today, Freiburg is the [[List of universities in Germany#Universities by date of establishment|fifth-oldest university in Germany]], with a long tradition of teaching the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences and technology and enjoys a high academic reputation both nationally and internationally. The university is made up of 11 [[faculty (division)|faculties]] and attracts students from across Germany as well as from over 120 other countries. Foreign students constitute about 18.2% of total student numbers.<ref name="verwaltung.uni-freiburg.de">{{cite web|url=https://www.uni-freiburg.de/universitaet/portrait/universitaet-in-zahlen/uni-freiburg-jahresbericht-rektor-2017-18|title=Uni Broschuere 2017/2018|website=uni-freiburg.de|access-date=13 April 2019}}</ref>

The University of Freiburg has been associated with figures such as [[Hannah Arendt]], [[Rudolf Carnap]], [[David Daube]], [[Johann Eck]], [[Hans-Georg Gadamer]], [[Friedrich Hayek]], [[Martin Heidegger]], [[Edmund Husserl]], [[Herbert Marcuse]], [[Friedrich Meinecke]], [[Edith Stein]], [[Paul Uhlenhuth]], [[Max Weber]] and [[Ernst Zermelo]]. As of October 2020, 22 Nobel laureates are affiliated with the University of Freiburg as alumni, faculty or researchers, and 15 academics have been honored with the highest German research prize, the [[Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize]], while working at the university.

==History==
===Foundation===
[[File:Universitaetsgruender Erzherzog Albrecht VI.JPG|thumb|upright|left|Portrait of Archduke [[Albert VI, Archduke of Austria|Albert VI of Austria]], founder of the university]]
Originally Albrechts University, the university started with four faculties (theology, philosophy, medicine, and law). Its establishment belongs to the second wave of university foundings in the German-speaking world in the late [[Middle Ages]], like the [[University of Tübingen]] and the [[University of Basel]] ([[Switzerland]]). Established by papal privilege ([[papal bull]]), the university in Freiburg actually was – like all or most universities in the Middle Ages – a corporation of the church body and therefore belonged to the [[Roman Catholic Church]] and its hierarchy. The bishop of [[Basel]] consequently was its [[Provost (education)|provost]] or [[chancellor]] (''Kanzler''), the bishop of [[Konstanz|Constance]] was its patron, and the real founder of the university was the sovereign, Archduke [[Albert VI of Austria]], being the brother of [[Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick III]], Emperor of the [[Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation]]. At its founding, the university was named after [[Albert VI of Austria]]. He provided the university with land and [[financial endowment|endowments]], as well as its own [[jurisdiction]]. Also he declared Albrechts University as the "county university" (German ''Landesuniversität'') for his territory until it was handed over to the Austrian [[House of Habsburg]] in 1490.

The university soon attracted many students, such as the [[humanists]] [[Geiler von Kaysersberg]], [[Johann Reuchlin]], and [[Jakob Wimpfeling]]. When [[Ulrich Zasius]] was teaching law (until 1536), Freiburg became a centre of [[Humanism|humanist]] jurisprudence. From 1529 to 1535, [[Erasmus of Rotterdam]] after having left Basel, lived and taught in [[Freiburg]], however, never at the university.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Zeitschrift der Gesellschaft für Beförderung der Geschichts-, Altertums- und Volkskunde von Freiburg, dem Breisgau und den angrenzenden Landschaften |volume=23 |date=1907 |pages=287–302 |first=Hermann |last=Mayer |title=Erasmus in seinen Beziehungen zur Universität Freiburg |language=de |trans-title=Erasmus in his relations with the University of Freiburg |url=https://dl.ub.uni-freiburg.de/diglit/zgb1907/0311/ocr |via=Universitätsbibliothek Freiburg im Breisgau}}</ref> From around 1559 on, the university was housed at the ''Altes Collegium'' ("Old College"), today called the "new town-hall". The importance of the university decreased during the time of the [[Counter-Reformation]]. To counter reformatory tendencies, the administration of two faculties was handed over to the Roman Catholic order of the [[Jesuits]] in 1620. From 1682 on, the Jesuits built their college, as well as the Jesuit church (nowadays the "University Church" or ''Universitätskirche'').

===Studium Gallicum===
In 1679, Freiburg temporarily became French territory, along with the southern parts of the [[upper Rhine]]. French King [[Louis XIV]] disliked the Austrian system and gave the [[Society of Jesus|Jesuits]] a free hand to operate the university. On 6 November 1684, a bilingual educational program was initiated. From 1686 to 1698, the faculty fled to [[Konstanz]].

===Austrian reforms===
After Freiburg was re-conquered and appointed as capital of [[Further Austria]], a new time began for the university by the reforms of Empress [[Maria Theresa of Austria]]. The requirements for admission were changed for all faculties in 1767 (before that time only [[Roman Catholic]]s were allowed to study) and [[Natural sciences|Natural Sciences]] were added as well as [[Public Administration (science)|Public Administration]]. Also in 1767, the university became a governmental institution despite the Church's protests. The Church finally lost its predominant influence on the university when the [[Jesuits]] were suppressed following a decree signed by [[Pope Clement XIV]] in 1773. Consequently, [[Johann Georg Jacobi]] (brother of the more famous philosopher [[Friedrich Heinrich Jacobi]]) in 1784 was the first Protestant professor teaching at the university in Freiburg.

When Freiburg became a part of the newly established [[Grand Duchy]] of [[Baden]] (in German "''Großherzogtum Baden''") in 1805 (after [[Napoleon]] occupied the area of the formerly [[Further Austria]]), a crisis began for the university in Freiburg. Indeed, there were considerations by [[Karl Friedrich, Grand Duke of Baden]] and [[Karl, Grand Duke of Baden]] to close down the university in Freiburg while both of them thought that the [[Grand Duchy]] could not afford to run two universities at the same time (the [[Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg]] had existed since 1386).

===University of Freiburg===
[[File:Freiburg Breisgau um 1900.jpg|thumb|Freiburg around 1900]]
The university had enough [[Financial endowment|endowments]] and earnings to survive until the beginning of the regency of [[Ludwig I, Grand Duke of Baden]] in 1818. Finally in 1820, he saved the university with an annual contribution. Since then, the university has been named Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg (''Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg'') as an acknowledgement of gratitude by the university and the citizens of Freiburg.

In the 1880s, the population of the student body and faculty started to grow quickly. The scientific reputation of Albert Ludwigs University attracted several researchers such as economist [[Adolph Wagner]], historians {{ill|Georg von Below|de}} and [[Friedrich Meinecke]], and jurists [[Karl von Amira]] and [[Paul Lenel]].

In 1900, Freiburg became the first German university to accept female students. Before there had been no [[women at German universities]].

In the beginning of the 20th century, several new university buildings were built in the centre of Freiburg, such as the new main building in 1911. The university counted 3,000 students just before [[World War I]]. After World War I, the [[philosophy|philosophers]] [[Edmund Husserl]] and Martin Heidegger (since 1928) taught at Albert Ludwigs University, as well as [[Edith Stein]]. In the field of social sciences, [[Walter Eucken]] developed the idea of [[ordoliberalism]], which subsequently is known as the "[[Freiburg School]]".

===Nazi Era===
{{See also|University education in Nazi Germany}}
[[File:Hermann Staudinger.jpg|thumb|upright|right|[[Hermann Staudinger]]]]
During the time of the [[Nazi Germany|Nazi dictatorship]], the university went through the process of "political alignment" (''[[Gleichschaltung]]'') like the rest of the German universities. Under the [[Heidegger and Nazism#Heidegger's rectorate at the University of Freiburg|rector Martin Heidegger]], all Jewish faculty members were forced to leave the university in accordance with the [[Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service]]. He also informed the [[Gestapo]] of the [[pacifist]] leanings of a distinguished Faculty member, [[Hermann Staudinger]]. The Nazi geneticist [[Eugen Fischer]] promoted racist views while a member of the university, ideas which were used to support the notorious [[Nuremberg laws]] passed by the Nazis.

===Postwar years===
[[File:Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F010462-0003, Freiburg-Breisgau, Universität.jpg|thumb|left|The University of Freiburg in 1961]]
After [[World War II]], the University of Freiburg was reopened. New buildings for natural sciences were erected in the ''Institutsviertel'' ("institute quarter").
In the postwar years, the ideas of ordoliberalism, developed earlier by economists of the Freiburg School, such as [[Walter Eucken]], [[Franz Böhm]], Hans Grossmann-Doerth, and Leonhard Miksch, drove the creation of the German [[social market economy]] and its attendant ''[[Wirtschaftswunder]]''. Nobel Prize winner and former professor at the University of Freiburg, [[Friedrich Hayek]], is also associated with this theory. He directed the [[Walter Eucken Institut]], an economic [[think tank]] in Freiburg cooperating with the university. Arnold Bergstraesser, considered a founding father or German political science after World War II, was also a professor at the University of Freiburg. His research group later formed what is now the Arnold Bergstraesser Institute for sociocultural research at the university.

In the late 20th century, the university was part of a mass education campaign and expanded rapidly. The student body grew to 10,000 by the 1960s, and doubled to 20,000 students by 1980. In the 1970s, the faculty structure was changed to 14 departments, with the Faculty of Engineering becoming the 15th faculty in 1994. In 2002, the number of faculties was reduced to 11. The university opened a memorial dedicated to the victims of National Socialism among the students, staff, and faculty in 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uni-freiburg.de/en/universitaet/mahnmal/index.php |title=Memorial for the Victims of National Socialism among the Students, Staff, and Faculty of the University of Freiburg |access-date=21 August 2008 |publisher=Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg |date=21 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070607052753/http://www.uni-freiburg.de/en/universitaet/mahnmal/index.php |archive-date=7 June 2007 }}</ref>

In 2006, the University of Freiburg joined the [[League of European Research Universities|League of European Research Universities (LERU)]]. One year later, the university was chosen as one of nine German Universities of Excellence. However, it did not receive the third line of funding in 2012.

===University seal===
[[File:Siegel im Eingang des Auditorium Maximum der Uni Freiburg.png|thumb|The university seal is set into the floor at the entrance of the largest lecture hall – ''auditorium maximum''.]]
The seal of the University of Freiburg depicts Christ seated on a gothic throne holding the gospel in his right hand with the temple curtain in the background. Christ offers the teachings of the gospel to the Jewish scholars who are crouched at his feet. To the left and right of Christ are structures resembling towers, most likely symbolic of the Temple of [[Jerusalem]]. Located to the right of Christ is the [[coat of arms]] of the Austrian duchies, a banner with five eagles. The shield on the opposite side symbolizes the coat of arms used by the Habsburgs in conjunction with their territories. The coat of arms of the city of Freiburg is located at the bottom of the seal, displaying [[St George's Cross]]. The Latin inscription on the seal reads ''Sigillum universitatis studii friburgensis brisgaudie''. The seal was slightly modified in 1913, but has otherwise been in continuous use since it was adopted in 1462.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uni-freiburg.de/en/universitaet/geschichte/unisiegel.php? |title=The Sigil of the University of Freiburg|website=www.uni-freiburg.de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307040128/http://www.uni-freiburg.de/en/universitaet/geschichte/unisiegel.php |archive-date=7 March 2009}}</ref>

==Campus==
[[File:Universität Freiburg Kollegiengebäude I (Altbau).jpg|thumb|''Kollegiengebäude I'', erected in 1913 as the main building of the university]]
Having grown with the city since the 15th century, the university's buildings are deeply intertwined with the city. The three large campuses are the university center next to the historical city center, the institutes quarter, and the engineering campus, but other buildings can be found scattered throughout Freiburg.

The university complex in the historical center of Freiburg contains such picturesque buildings as the [[Jugendstil]] ''Kollegiengebäude I''(short: "KG I"), built in 1911 by Hermann Billing, and the [[Gothic Revival architecture|gothic revival]] old university library. The current [[University Library Freiburg|University Library]] is also located in the historical center; it is a monumental building erected in the 1970s, and was to be renovated and redesigned beginning in September 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.ub.uni-freiburg.de|title= Home page|access-date= 21 August 2008|work= Universitätsibliothek|publisher= Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg|language= de}}</ref> It is one of the largest in Germany and placed fourth in an October 2007, German national ranking of university libraries.<ref>{{cite book|last= Federkeil|first= Gero|title= CHE-Ranking Die Universitätsbibliotheken für Geisteswissenschaften aus Sicht der Studierenden|date= October 2007|url= http://www.che.de/downloads/IIB_Bibliotheken.pdf|access-date= 21 August 2008|location= [[Gütersloh]]|publisher= CHE Centrum für Hochschulentwicklung|isbn= 978-3-939589-59-4|oclc= 187988798|language= de|archive-date= 27 June 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080627044252/http://www.che.de/downloads/IIB_Bibliotheken.pdf|url-status= dead}}</ref>

The [[University Church, Freiburg|University Church]], located across from ''Kollegiengebäude II'' (short: "KG II"), was built in 1683 by the [[Jesuits|Jesuit order]]. The church and the Jesuit college were handed over to the university after the [[Suppression of the Society of Jesus|Jesuit order was suppressed]] in 1773. The church was destroyed in the 27 November 1944, bombing raid on Freiburg, and reconstructed in 1956.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.universitaetskirche.uni-freiburg.de/pages/unik.htm|title= Über die Unikirche|access-date= 21 August 2008|publisher= Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg|date=December 1989|language= de}}</ref>

The "institute quarter" (''Institutsviertel'') is home to the science faculties. This campus was destroyed almost completely in the Freiburg bombing raid in 1944. After World War II, the reconstruction of the institutes began. Today, the quarter houses the physics buildings, the tall main chemistry building, visible from afar, the famous Institute for Macromolecular Chemistry at the Hermann-Staudinger-Haus, various other science buildings, and the preclinical institutes of the [[University of Freiburg Faculty of Medicine|Faculty of Medicine]].

The engineering campus is located next to the small Freiburg airfield to the northwest of the city center, close to the University Medical Center. The campus is home to the ''[[IMTEK|Institut für Mikrosystemtechnik]]'' ( Department of Microsystems Engineering) and the Department of Computer Science. With the addition of the Faculty of Engineering, the University of Freiburg became the first classical university to combine traditional disciplines with microsystems technologies.

The University Medical Center (''Universitätsklinikum Freiburg'') is one of Germany's largest medical centers. It boasts 1,600 beds and handles 55,000 in-patients a year, with another 357,000 being treated as out-patients. It consists of 13 specialized clinics, five clinical institutes, and five centers (e.g. Center for Transplantation Medicine). The University Medical Center achieved many technical advances, such as the first implantation of an artificial heart ''Jarvik 2000'' in 2002.

Most recently, the University of Freiburg purchased a large historic villa in the district of Herdern, which will house part of the literature and linguistics, as well as history departments of the [[Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies]].

In 2015, the University of Freiburg opened its [[University Library Freiburg|new library]], housed in a [[Modern architecture|modern building]] with a large glass and chrome facade. The library features a section for quiet work and the permanent collection as well as space for group work, where [[collaboration]] is encouraged. The building also includes a student [[Coffeehouse|cafe]] and an outdoor plaza with modern sculpture.
<gallery mode="packed" heights="160px">
File:Kolleggebäude I Figur Eingang rechts Fr.jpg|[[Aristotle]], in front of ''Kollegiengebäude I''
File:Kolleggebäude I Figur Eingang links Fr.jpg|[[Homer]]
File:KG II.JPG|''Kollegiengebäude II'' and central university square
File:Jesuitenkirche (Freiburg).jpg|University Church
File:Uni Freiburg KG IV (alte UB).JPG|''Kollegiengebäude IV'', Humanities Faculty (former [[University Library Freiburg|University Library]])
File:Unibibliothek Freiburg.JPG|The University Library in Freiburg
File:UniKlinik (Freiburg) 4.jpg|The Department of Surgery at the University Medical Center
File:University of Freiburg IEGM.jpg|The Institute for Medical Ethics and History of Medicine and the Institute for Biostatistics and Medical Informatics at the [[University of Freiburg Faculty of Medicine|Faculty of Medicine]]
</gallery>

==Students and admission==
[[File:Uni Freiburg - Mensawiese.jpg|thumb|right|The green at the central ''Mensa'' (cafeteria) on Rempartstraße]]
The university has a combined undergraduate and graduate student population of around 21,600.<ref name="verwaltung.uni-freiburg.de"/> About 16% of these students are foreigners, from about 120 countries. Admission largely depends on the faculty and program applied for and is strictly merit based, with the average score of final secondary-school examinations (German ''[[Abitur]]'') or A-levels playing an important role. Overall, in the fall of 2010, roughly 4,000 of around 26,000 applicants were admitted: this means that the university's acceptance rate that year was equal to 15.38%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.suedkurier.de/region/schwarzwald-baar-heuberg/freiburg/Wintersemester-startet-mit-21-600-Studierenden;art372515,4536974|title=Freiburg: Wintersemester startet mit 21 600 Studierenden – SÜDKURIER Online|work=[[Südkurier]]|date=19 October 2010|access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref>

The University of Freiburg offers a large variety of undergraduate, [[Graduate school|graduate]], and [[postdoctoral]] degree programs at its 11 faculties in 150 fields of study.<ref>See more at {{cite web|url= http://www.studium.uni-freiburg.de/index_html-en-en/view?set_language=en|title= The Information and Service Platform|access-date= 29 August 2008|publisher= Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081012153102/http://www.studium.uni-freiburg.de/index_html-en-en/view?set_language=en|archive-date= 12 October 2008|url-status= dead}}</ref>

As common among German universities, the academic year consists of summer and winter terms (semesters). The winter term runs from 1 October to 31 March, while the summer term runs from 1 April to 30 September. However, lectures and classes usually do not run for the full duration of these periods and allow for breaks in spring and fall.

As a German university, tuition is mostly free. The University of Freiburg currently has a semester fee of 180 EUR for all undergraduate and most graduate and doctoral programs. Additionally, since autumn 2017, non-EU students are charged 1500 EUR tuition fee per semester.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.studium.uni-freiburg.de/en/student-services/study-fees?set_language=en | title=Study Fees | publisher=University of Freiburg | access-date=14 December 2020 }}</ref>

===Student life===
Numerous student clubs and organizations are active, among them a [[Student publication|campus news]] station, uniCROSS<ref>{{cite web |title=uniCROSS |url=https://www.unicross.uni-freiburg.de/ |publisher=University of Freiburg |access-date=11 November 2024}}</ref> which is a cross-media platform run by students. It consists of the "uniFM" team, which brings the news as a radio format, the "uniTV" team, producing videos and the "uniONLINE" team which is responsible for the magazine.  Because of the nearby French and Swiss borders and the adjacent [[Black Forest]], where the university owns a retreat on [[Schauinsland]] Mountain, fine opportunities exist for leisure and outdoor activities. Students come from Central and Eastern Europe for language studies, the majority demographic category is females in age range 18–25 (58%).

The university provides student housing in its various dormitories, run by the ''Studentenwerk''. Additionally, further dormitories in Freiburg are operated by other institutions, such as the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Freiburg|Catholic Archdiocese]]. Due to the affordable rent and limited spots, rooms in the various dormitories are very popular. Many students find private living arrangements, such as ''Wohngemeinschaften'' (shared apartments). However, the popularity of Freiburg for prospective students can make finding an apartment or room quite time-consuming, especially before the start of the academic terms.

The university has its own career center, singled out as one of the best in Germany by the ''Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft''.<ref>{{cite press release|url= http://www.pr.uni-freiburg.de/pm/2007/pm.2007-11-22.391|title= Universität Freiburg erneut an der Spitze|access-date= 27 August 2008|publisher= Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg|date= 22 November 2007|language= de}}</ref>

==Academic profile==

===Excellence initiative===
[[File:Universität Freiburg Epitaph.jpg|thumb|"''Die Wahrheit wird euch frei machen''" (The truth will set you free)]]
The university scored well with its submissions to the [[German Universities Excellence Initiative]]. The university received funding in all three categories. In the first category, funding for a new graduate school, the Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine, was granted; in the second, funding was granted for the excellence cluster Centre for Biological Signalling Studies (''bioss''); and in the third category, Institutional Strategy Line of Funding, open only to institutions with submissions qualified in the first two categories, the university is receiving funding for "Windows for Research", which aims to promote a high level of interdisciplinarity between research fields and attract scientists from all over the world. To that end, the university founded the [[Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies]] (FRIAS). Being selected for the third category ranks Freiburg as one of nine "excellence universities" in Germany. The university is to receive over EUR 130 million in additional funds over five years (from 2007) from this third category of funding.<ref>{{cite press release |title= Excellence Initiative: University of Freiburg Qualifies for Champions League|publisher= Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg|date= 19 October 2007|url= http://www.pr.uni-freiburg.de/pm/2007/pm.2007-10-19.352|access-date= 29 August 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.exzellenz.uni-freiburg.de/welcome.html/view?set_language=en|title= Excellence Initiative – University of Freiburg|access-date= 29 August 2008|publisher= Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080501100314/http://www.exzellenz.uni-freiburg.de/welcome.html/view?set_language=en <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 1 May 2008}}</ref>
In 2009, the university was also successful in a nationwide competition for excellence in teaching, held by the ''Stifterverband der deutschen Wissenschaft''. The University of Freiburg, with its plans for future innovative teaching concepts, was selected as one of 10 winners from a field of over 100 higher education institutions.<ref>{{cite press release |title= EHumboldt Would Study in Here: University of Freiburg Wins National "Excellent Instruction" Competition|publisher= Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg|date= 19 October 2009|url= http://www.pr.uni-freiburg.de/pm/2009/pm.2009-10-19.364/|access-date= 20 October 2009}}</ref>

In 2012, in the third round of the Excellence Initiative, the university was able to successfully extend funding for the Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine, as well as ''bioss'', while also gaining funding for a new cluster called BrainLinks-Brain Tools, an interdisciplinary neurotechnology project. Citing insufficient evidence of integration of the FRIAS concept into the university's framework, the committee did not extend funding for the FRIAS and the institutional strategy line of funding, despite acknowledging the impressive research and advances achieved at FRIAS in the past years.<ref>{{cite press release |title= ALBERT-LUDWIGS-UNIVERSITÄT Zum Teil herbe Kritik der Gutachter an Uni-Rektorat|publisher= Badische Zeitung|date= 20 July 2012|url= http://www.badische-zeitung.de/freiburg/kritik-am-uni-rektorat-nach-freiburger-elite-ende--61868271.html|access-date= 23 July 2012}}</ref>

===Rankings===
{{Infobox Germany university rankings
| QS = 212
| QS_N = 10
| QS_year = 2025
| QS_ref = <ref name="QS">{{cite web|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings?countries=de |title=QS World University Rankings 2025|access-date=14 September 2024|website=[[QS World University Rankings]]}}</ref>
| THE = 128
| THE_N = 11
| THE_year = 2025
| THE_ref = <ref name="THE">{{cite web|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2025/world-ranking|title=World University Rankings 2025|access-date=27 September 2023|website=[[Times Higher Education World University Rankings]]|date=27 September 2023 }}</ref>
| ARWU = 101–150
| ARWU_N = 5
| ARWU_year = 2024
| ARWU_ref = <ref name="ARWU">{{cite web|url=https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/arwu/2024|title=Academic Ranking of World Universities|website=[[Academic Ranking of World Universities]]|access-date=14 September 2024}}</ref>
}}
The University of Freiburg is recognized in several [[College and university rankings|university ranking]] systems. In the ''[[QS World University Rankings]]'' 2024, it holds the 192nd position globally and the 9th position nationally.<ref name="QS" /> The ''[[Times Higher Education World University Rankings]]'' 2024 placed it 128th in the world and 11th in Germany.<ref name="THE" /> The ''[[Academic Ranking of World Universities]]'' (''ARWU'') 2023 ranks it between 101st and 150th globally, and 5th nationally.<ref name="ARWU" />

In university rankings published in 2007 and 2008 by German magazines and periodicals (''[[Der Spiegel]], [[Die Zeit]], [[Focus (German magazine)|Focus]]'', etc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.che.de/cms/?getObject=260&getName=Projekte+alphabetisch&strAction=show&PK_Projekt=172&getLang=|title=ForschungsRanking deutscher Universitäten|access-date=29 August 2008|publisher=CHE Centrum für Hochschulentwicklung|language=de|archive-date=11 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411202058/http://www.che.de/cms/?getObject=260&getName=Projekte+alphabetisch&strAction=show&PK_Projekt=172&getLang=|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.focus.de/wissen/campus/hochschulen|title=FOCUS-Uniranking 2007|work=FOCUS Online|access-date=29 August 2008|publisher=[[Focus (German magazine)|Focus]]|language=de}}</ref>) the University of Freiburg has established itself as one of Germany's top universities.<ref>{{cite book|title=Das CHE-ForschungsRanking deutscher Universitäten 2007 – Arbeitspapier Nr. 102|last=Berghoff|first=Sonja|author2=Federkeil, Gero|author3=Giebisch, Petra|author4=Hachmeister, Cort-Denis|author5=Hennings, Mareike|author6=Müller-Böling, Detlef|date=February 2008|location=[[Gütersloh]]|publisher=CHE Centrum für Hochschulentwicklung|isbn=978-3-939589-67-9|url=http://www.che.de/downloads/CHE_ForschungsRanking_2007_AP_102.pdf|language=de|access-date=20 February 2008|archive-date=14 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914024929/http://www.che.de/downloads/CHE_ForschungsRanking_2007_AP_102.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The faculties for law, medicine, economics, history, English studies, German studies, biology, dentistry, and pharmacology achieve especially high scores.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aerzteblatt-studieren.de/doc.asp?hl=x&docid=103447|title=Medizinische Fakultäten: Der Ausbildungserfolg im Vergleich (I)|first=Thomas|last=Zimmermann|access-date=29 August 2008|work=Uni/Beruf – Artikel|publisher=aerzteblatt-studieren.de|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207230406/http://www.aerzteblatt-studieren.de/doc.asp?hl=x&docid=103447|archive-date=7 February 2011|url-status=dead}} and {{cite web|url=http://www.aerzteblatt-studieren.de/doc.asp?hl=x&docid=103819|title=Medizinische Fakultäten: Der Ausbildungserfolg im Vergleich (II)|first=Hendrik|last=van den Bussche|access-date=29 August 2008|work=Uni/Beruf – Artikel|publisher=aerzteblatt-studieren.de|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207070528/http://www.aerzteblatt-studieren.de/doc.asp?hl=x&docid=103819|archive-date=7 February 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mygermancity.com/german-universities|title=German Universities Have The Reputation To Be Among The Best In Europe|website=Mygermancity.com|date=9 December 2008 |access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> In regards to the natural sciences, the University of Freiburg ranked sixth in Europe and second in Germany<ref name="ThirdEuroRpt">{{Cite FTP |url=ftp://ftp.cordis.europa.eu/pub/indicators/docs/3rd_report_snaps10.pdf|title=Downsizing and Specialising: The University Model for the 21st Century?|date=February 2004|server=Third European Report on Science & Technology Indicators 2003|url-status=dead|access-date=14 August 2008}}</ref> in a ranking from 2003 of the European Commission of the universities according to their overall impact on scientific research. The Centre for Higher Education Development, a German higher education [[think tank]], periodically publishes comprehensive rankings of European [[Master's Degree|Master's]] and PhD programs. In 2016, Freiburg garnered five spots in the top Excellence Group among seven subject fields examined.<ref name="CHEUniversityRanking">{{cite web|url=http://www.excellenceranking.org|title=CHE University Ranking 2016/17|website=Excellenceranking.org|access-date=29 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010153923/http://www.excellenceranking.org/|archive-date=10 October 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> In a recent survey by the [[Nature Publishing Group]], the ''Nature Publishing Index – 2012 Global Top 100'', the University of Freiburg was the highest-ranked German university and ranked 66th worldwide and 18th in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.natureasia.com/en/publishing-index/global|title=Nature Publishing Group|website=Natureasia.com|access-date=21 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717073126/http://www.natureasia.com/en/publishing-index/global|archive-date=17 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> A recent study, "Benchmarking China and Germany: An Analysis of Patent Portfolios of Universities and Research Organizations", was published in May 2013 and sought to evaluate leading universities and research institutions in Germany and China in regards to their patent applications. The study placed the University of Freiburg as the third-most innovative university in Germany in terms of total patent applications.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uni-patente.de/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Uni-Patente_Benchmarking-China-and-Germany.pdf|title=BENCHMARKING CHINA AND GERMANY : An Analysis of Patent Portfolios of Universities and Research Organizations|website=Uni-patente.de|access-date=29 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402064009/http://www.uni-patente.de/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Uni-Patente_Benchmarking-China-and-Germany.pdf|archive-date=2 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====By subject====

{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%; font-size: 90%"
|+ [[QS World University Rankings|QS]] ''World University Rankings'' by subject, 2023<ref name="QSSubject">{{cite web|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/subject-rankings/2022|title=QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022|date=23 March 2023|website=[[QS World University Rankings]]}}</ref>
! Subject !! Global !! National
|-
! {{Left|Arts and humanities}}
! data-sort-value="115" | {{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;115
! data-sort-value="6" | {{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;6
|-
| Linguistics
| data-sort-value="101–150" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;101–150}}
| data-sort-value="4–10" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;4–10}}
|-
| Theology, divinity, and religious studies
| data-sort-value="101–140" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;101–140}}
| data-sort-value="11–12" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;11–12}}
|-
| Archaeology
| data-sort-value="101–150" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;101–150}}
| data-sort-value="9–12" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;9–12}}
|-
| Classics and ancient history
| data-sort-value="49" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;49}}
| data-sort-value="7" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;7}}
|-
| English language and literature
| data-sort-value="88" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;88}}
| data-sort-value="5" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;5}}
|-
| History
| data-sort-value="101–150" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;101–150}}
| data-sort-value="6–8" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;6–8}}
|-
| Modern languages
| data-sort-value="101–150" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;101–150}}
| data-sort-value="5–7" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;5–7}}
|-
| Philosophy
| data-sort-value="101–150" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;101–150}}
| data-sort-value="8–12" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;8–12}}
|-
! {{Left|Engineering and technology}}
! N/A
! N/A
|-
| Computer science and information systems
| data-sort-value="201–250" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;201–250}}
| data-sort-value="9–12" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;9–12}}
|-
| Engineering – Electrical and electronic
| data-sort-value="301–350" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;301–350}}
| data-sort-value="10–11" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;10–11}}
|-
| Engineering – Petroleum
| data-sort-value="51–100" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;51–100}}
| data-sort-value="1–2" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;1–2}}
|-
| Engineering – Mechanical
| data-sort-value="401–450" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;401–450}}
| data-sort-value="14–15" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;14–15}}
|-
! {{Left|Life sciences and medicine}}
! data-sort-value="132" | {{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;132
! data-sort-value="6" | {{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;6
|-
| Agriculture and forestry
| data-sort-value="101–150" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;101–150}}
| data-sort-value="5–9" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;5–9}}
|-
| Anatomy and physiology
| data-sort-value="51–100" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;51–100}}
| data-sort-value="2–6" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;2–6}}
|-
| Biological sciences
| data-sort-value="100" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;100}}
| data-sort-value="7" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;7}}
|-
| Dentistry
| data-sort-value="51–80" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;51–80}}
| data-sort-value="1–4" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;1–4}}
|-
| Medicine
| data-sort-value="130" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;130}}
| data-sort-value="7" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;7}}
|-
| Pharmacy and pharmacology
| data-sort-value="201–250" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;201–250}}
| data-sort-value="11–12" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;11–12}}
|-
| Psychology
| data-sort-value="201–250" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;201–250}}
| data-sort-value="10–15" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;10–15}}
|-
! {{Left|Natural sciences}}
! N/A
! N/A
|-
| Chemistry
| data-sort-value="151–200" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;151–200}}
| data-sort-value="13–14" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;13–14}}
|-
| Environmental sciences
| data-sort-value="151–200" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;151–200}}
| data-sort-value="6–10" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;6–10}}
|-
| Geography
| data-sort-value="151–200" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;151–200}}
| data-sort-value="8–10" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;8–10}}
|-
! {{Left|Social sciences and management}}
! data-sort-value="386" | {{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;386
! data-sort-value="11" | {{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;11
|-
| Education and training
| data-sort-value="201–250" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;201–250}}
| data-sort-value="8–10" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;8–10}}
|-
| Law and legal studies
| data-sort-value="101–150" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;101–150}}
| data-sort-value="6–7" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;6–7}}
|-
| Politics
| data-sort-value="201–230" | {{Center|{{New entry|size=16}}&nbsp;201–230}}
| data-sort-value="9" | {{Center|{{New entry|size=16}}&nbsp;9}}
|-
| Sociology
| data-sort-value="201–250" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;201–250}}
| data-sort-value="12" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;12}}
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%; font-size: 90%"
|+ ''[[Times Higher Education World University Rankings|THE]] World University Rankings'' by subject, 2023<ref name="THESubject">{{cite web|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/by-subject|title=World University Rankings by subject|website=[[Times Higher Education World University Rankings]]}}</ref>
! Subject !! Global !! National
|-
| Arts and humanities
| data-sort-value="69" | {{Center|1={{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;=69}}
| data-sort-value="6" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;6}}
|-
| Social sciences
| data-sort-value="176–200" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;176–200}}
| data-sort-value="9–13" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;9–13}}
|-
| Computer science
| data-sort-value="78" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;78}}
| data-sort-value="7" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;7}}
|-
| Engineering
| data-sort-value="151–175" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;151–175}}
| data-sort-value="8–9" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;8–9}}
|-
| Clinical and health
| data-sort-value="90" | {{Center|1={{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;=90}}
| data-sort-value="5" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;5}}
|-
| Life sciences
| data-sort-value="62" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;62}}
| data-sort-value="7" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;7}}
|-
| Physical sciences
| data-sort-value="176–200" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;176–200}}
| data-sort-value="16–17" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;16–17}}
|-
| Psychology
| data-sort-value="101–125" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;101–125}}
| data-sort-value="10–13" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;10–13}}
|-
|}
{{col-break|gap=0.5em}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%; font-size: 90%"
|+ ''[[Academic Ranking of World Universities|ARWU]]'' global ranking of academic subjects, 2022<ref name="ARWUSubject">{{cite web|url=https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/gras/2022|title=ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022|website=[[Academic Ranking of World Universities]]}}</ref>
! Subject !! Global !! National
|-
! colspan="3" | Natural sciences
|-
| Mathematics
| data-sort-value="201–300" | {{Center|{{New entry|size=16}}&nbsp;201–300}}
| data-sort-value="12–18" | {{Center|{{New entry|size=16}}&nbsp;12–18}}
|-
| Physics
| data-sort-value="201–300" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;201–300}}
| data-sort-value="13–23" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;13–23}}
|-
| Chemistry
| data-sort-value="201–300" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;201–300}}
| data-sort-value="16–25" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;16–25}}
|-
| Earth sciences
| data-sort-value="201–300" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;201–300}}
| data-sort-value="17–23" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;17–23}}
|-
| Geography
| data-sort-value="151–200" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;151–200}}
| data-sort-value="8–13" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;8–13}}
|-
| Ecology
| data-sort-value="51–75" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;51–75}}
| data-sort-value="4–6" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;4–6}}
|-
| Atmospheric science
| data-sort-value="201–300" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;201–300}}
| data-sort-value="15–20" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;15–20}}
|-
! colspan="3" | Engineering
|-
| Electrical and electronic engineering
| data-sort-value="301–400" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;301–400}}
| data-sort-value="8–15" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;8–15}}
|-
| Instruments science and technology
| data-sort-value="201–300" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;201–300}}
| data-sort-value="3–6" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;3–6}}
|-
| Biomedical engineering
| data-sort-value="101–150" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;101–150}}
| data-sort-value="6–10" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;6–10}}
|-
| Computer science and engineering
| data-sort-value="101–150" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;101–150}}
| data-sort-value="2" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;2}}
|-
| Materials science and engineering
| data-sort-value="301–400" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;301–400}}
| data-sort-value="16–21" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;16–21}}
|-
| Nanoscience and nanotechnology
| data-sort-value="301–400" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;301–400}}
| data-sort-value="18–27" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;18–27}}
|-
| Energy science and engineering
| data-sort-value="201–300" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;201–300}}
| data-sort-value="8–10" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;8–10}}
|-
| Environmental science and engineering
| data-sort-value="301–400" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;301–400}}
| data-sort-value="11–21" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;11–21}}
|-
| Water resources
| data-sort-value="76–100" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;76–100}}
| data-sort-value="1–3" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;1–3}}
|-
| Biotechnology
| data-sort-value="101–150" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;101–150}}
| data-sort-value="5–7" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;5–7}}
|-
| Remote sensing
| data-sort-value="51–75" | {{Center|{{New entry|size=16}}&nbsp;51–75}}
| data-sort-value="3–4" | {{Center|{{New entry|size=16}}&nbsp;3–4}}
|-
! colspan="3" | Life sciences
|-
| Biological sciences
| data-sort-value="76–100" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;76–100}}
| data-sort-value="6–11" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;6–11}}
|-
| Human biological sciences
| data-sort-value="51–75" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;51–75}}
| data-sort-value="6–8" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;6–8}}
|-
| Agricultural sciences
| data-sort-value="76–100" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;76–100}}
| data-sort-value="5" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;5}}
|-
! colspan="3" | Medical sciences
|-
| Clinical medicine
| data-sort-value="301–400" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;301–400}}
| data-sort-value="23–30" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;23–30}}
|-
| Public health
| data-sort-value="401–500" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;401–500}}
| data-sort-value="23–25" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;23–25}}
|-
| Dentistry and oral sciences
| data-sort-value="76–100" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;76–100}}
| data-sort-value="5–7" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;5–7}}
|-
| Medical technology
| data-sort-value="40" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;40}}
| data-sort-value="5" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;5}}
|-
| Pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
| data-sort-value="76–100" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;76–100}}
| data-sort-value="7–9" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;7–9}}
|-
! colspan="3" | Social sciences
|-
| Economics
| data-sort-value="301–400" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;301–400}}
| data-sort-value="16–23" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;16–23}}
|-
| Statistics
| data-sort-value="151–200" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;151–200}}
| data-sort-value="7–11" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;7–11}}
|-
| Political sciences
| data-sort-value="201–300" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;201–300}}
| data-sort-value="13–16" | {{Center|{{Fall|size=9}}&nbsp;13–16}}
|-
| Education
| data-sort-value="151–200" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;151–200}}
| data-sort-value="3–7" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;3–7}}
|-
| Psychology
| data-sort-value="101–150" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;101–150}}
| data-sort-value="5–11" | {{Center|{{Rise|size=9}}&nbsp;5–11}}
|-
| Management
| data-sort-value="401–500" | {{Center|{{New entry|size=16}}&nbsp;401–500}}
| data-sort-value="15–26" | {{Center|{{New entry|size=16}}&nbsp;15–26}}
|-
| Public administration
| data-sort-value="101–150" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;101–150}}
| data-sort-value="6–7" | {{Center|{{Same position|size=9}}&nbsp;6–7}}
|-
|}
{{col-end}}

===Current affairs===
Teams of the University of Freiburg frequently participate in academic competitions with considerable success. The moot court team of the Faculty of Law has been the most successful team in the history of the competition [[Willem C. Vis Moot|Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot]]. The humanoid robot team of the Faculty of Engineering regularly competes with distinction in international tournaments.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.pr.uni-freiburg.de/pm/2009/pm.2009-07-06.256/?searchterm=Hockey|title= Hockeyroboter sind Weltmeister|access-date= 20 November 2009}}</ref> The University of Freiburg team has also repeatedly scored highly at the [[International Genetically Engineered Machine]] undergraduate synthetic biology competition held at the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://2008.igem.org/Jamboree/Results|title=Jamboree Results for iGEM 2008|website=2008.igem.org|access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> The team was supported by numerous university institutions, among them the recently established ''bioss'' cluster of excellence. The University of Freiburg also participates in the National Model United Nations held annually in New York City.

The genetically engineered [[golden rice]] was developed by the University of Freiburg ([[Peter Beyer (professor)|Peter Beyer]]) and the [[ETH Zurich]] ([[Ingo Potrykus]]) from 1992 to 2000. It was considered a breakthrough in biotechnology at the time of publication and now can help to provide [[vitamin A]] to people lacking access to it in their diets.

When previous rector Jäger retired in 2008, law professor [[Andreas Voßkuhle]] was chosen as his successor. However, shortly after the start of his term, the [[Social Democratic Party of Germany]] nominated Voßkuhle as vice-president of the [[Federal Constitutional Court of Germany]]. Voßkuhle accepted the nomination, was confirmed, and took his seat on the court in May 2008. In July 2008, then vice-rector Hans-Jochen Schiewer was elected as successor to Voßkuhle. Schiewer has assumed the position of rector with the start of the winter term 2008/2009.

The University of Freiburg offers educational audio and video contents on the [[ITunes Store#iTunes U|iTunes U]] software platform since January 2008.

The University of Freiburg Institute of Physics is actively involved with research at the [[Large Hadron Collider]] and has contributed significantly to the [[ATLAS experiment]], resulting in the discovery of the [[Higgs boson]] in 2012.

==Organization and faculties==
Today, about 430 professors, 3,695 academic employees, and 8,644 non-academic employees at the university are working for the Albert Ludwigs University, making it Freiburg's and the region's biggest employer. The university attracts many academics from abroad and was awarded excellent positions in the 2005 and 2009 ''Humboldt Ranking''.<ref>{{cite press release|title= Humboldt Rankings: Germany's most internationally attractive universities|publisher= [[Alexander von Humboldt Foundation]]|date= 24 May 2006|url= http://www.humboldt-foundation.de/en/aktuelles/presse/pn_archiv_2006/2006_11.htm|access-date= 26 August 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080616131950/http://www.humboldt-foundation.de/en/aktuelles/presse/pn_archiv_2006/2006_11.htm|archive-date= 16 June 2008|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title= Humboldt-Ranking: Welche sind die international attraktivsten Universitäten Deutschlands?|publisher= [[Alexander von Humboldt Foundation]]|date= 2 June 2009|url= http://www.humboldt-foundation.de/web/1083580.html|access-date= 2 June 2009|language= de}}</ref>

===Faculties===
The university is headed by a [[Rector (academia)|rector]] and divided into 11 faculties:
*[[University of Freiburg Faculty of Theology|Faculty of Theology]]
*Faculty of Law
*[[University of Freiburg Faculty of Medicine|Faculty of Medicine]]
*Faculty of Economics and [[psychology|Behavioural Sciences]]
*Faculty of [[Philology]]
*Faculty of Philosophy (history, sociology, etc.)
*Faculty of Mathematics and [[Physics]]
*Faculty of [[Chemistry]], [[Pharmacy]], and [[Earth science|Geosciences]]
*[[University of Freiburg Faculty of Biology|Faculty of Biology]]
*Faculty of [[Forestry|Forest]] and [[Environmental science|Environmental Sciences]]
*[[University of Freiburg Faculty of Engineering|Faculty of Engineering]]

===University College Freiburg===
[[File:University-College-Freiburg.jpg|thumb|Logo at the entrance of University College Freiburg]]
University College Freiburg (UCF) is the university's central facility for promoting and administering international, interdisciplinary teaching activities. It was established in 2012 and is situated in the historical buildings of the old university, the historical site of the ''artes liberales''. UCF serves as a lab for innovative teaching approaches and instructional design at the University of Freiburg and works in close co-operation with the faculties and the Rectorate's departments for Instructional Development and International Relations. It is [[Higher education accreditation|accredited]] by the University of Freiburg, which draws its authority from the Central Evaluation and Accreditation Agency.<ref name="LiberalArtsSciences"/>

The four-year, English-taught Bachelor program in [[Liberal arts education|Liberal Arts and Sciences]] (LAS) is UCF's major offering, the first of its kind in Germany. It emphasizes a broad interdisciplinary education, while at the same time providing for individualized academic concentrations on a high academic level. Students have to complete 240 [[European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System|ECTS credits]] and are able to major in [[List of life sciences|life sciences]], [[Environmental science|environmental and sustainability sciences]], [[Humanities|culture and history]] and [[Social science|governance]]. Electives can be taken at UCF, in the greater University of Freiburg, during studies abroad or in the form of internships and self-directed practical projects.<ref name="LiberalArtsSciences">{{Cite web|title=Liberal Arts and Sciences|url=https://www.ucf.uni-freiburg.de/liberal-arts-and-sciences|access-date=16 January 2023|language=en-GB|website=University College Freiburg}}</ref>

In order to provide a framework and didactic guidance for interdisciplinary higher education, the University of Freiburg has established two chairs at UCF: [[Epistemology]] and [[Philosophy of Science|Theory of Science]] (Prof. Dr. Frieder Vogelmann, who is also the Dean of Studies)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Epistemology and Theory of Science|url=https://www.ucf.uni-freiburg.de/people/chair-in-epistemology-and-theory-of-science|access-date=16 January 2023|language=en-GB|website=University College Freiburg}}</ref> and [[Science and Technology Studies]] (Prof. Dr. Veronika Lipphardt).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Science and Technology Studies|url=http://www.ucf.uni-freiburg.de/people/chair-in-science-and-technology-studies|access-date=16 January 2023|language=en-GB|website=University College Freiburg}}</ref> The College and the program are directed by Managing Director Paul Sterzel and the Academic Coordinator Thorsten Leiendecker.

UCF is a member of the [[ECOLAS|European Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences]] and of EPICUR,<ref>{{Cite web|title=EPICUR|url=http://epicur.education/|access-date=16 January 2023|language=en-GB|website=EPICUR}}</ref> a group of eight universities in six countries that explore a modern and internationally connected university experience Students are able to participate in a double degree program with the [[University College Maastricht]].

Students at UCF organize a number of interest groups, for instance a magazine publishing group, a 3D printing group, an arts collective, and a Model United Nations team.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Committees – studentscouncil|url=https://studentscouncil.de/committees/|access-date=16 January 2023|language=en-GB}}</ref> They represented by an elected board of twelve student office holders.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Board – studentscouncil|url=https://studentscouncil.de/board/|access-date=16 January 2023|language=en-GB|archive-date=14 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914012003/https://studentscouncil.de/board/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Alumni are a part of a subgroup within the greater University of Freiburg alumni association.<ref>{{Cite web|title=After UCF|url=https://www.ucf.uni-freiburg.de/liberal-arts-and-sciences/after-las/ucf-alumni|access-date=16 January 2023|website=University College Freiburg|language=en}}</ref>

===Graduate schools===
The University of Freiburg has a variety of graduate education and research opportunities. In an evaluation of European graduate programs, Freiburg was ranked among the leading universities in several subject fields examined.<ref>{{cite press release |title=CHE-ExcellenceRanking: Universität Freiburg eine der Topadressen für den Forschernachwuchs |publisher=Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg |date=29 November 2007 |url=http://www.pr.uni-freiburg.de/pm/2007/pm.2007-11-29.396 |access-date=29 August 2008 |language=de}}</ref><ref name="CHEUniversityRanking"/>

One of the notable graduate opportunities is the [[Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies]], a project funded by the German Excellence Initiative.

Apart from the many graduate programs of its faculties, Freiburg has set up additional specialized graduate schools and graduate research centers, coordinated by the newly founded International Graduate Academy (IGA) Freiburg. The IGA coordinates five graduate schools: the Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine; the European Cultures and Intercultural Interweaving school; the Theology and Religious Studies school; the Hermann Paul School of Language Sciences, and the Environment, Society and Global Change graduate school of the Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences.

The IGA also coordinates 12 Graduate Research Centers (Graduiertenkolleg): Biochemistry of Enzymes; Friends, Patrons, Clients; Formation and Development of Present-Day Landscapes; Mathematical Logics and Applications; Mechanisms of Neuronal Signal Transduction; Catalysts and Catalytic Reactions for Organic Synthesis (in cooperation with the University of Basel); Hadron Collider Physics; Embedded Microsystems; From Cells to Organs: Molecular Mechanisms of Organogenesis; Signal Systems in Model Organisms of Plant Origin; Micro Energy Harvesting; and PhD program Computational Neuroscience at the [[Bernstein Center Freiburg|Bernstein Center Freiburg for Computational Neuroscience and Neurotechnology]].

Finally, the university operates three joint graduate schools with the [[Max Planck Society]]: the [[International Max Planck Research School for Molecular and Cellular Biology]]; the International Max Planck Research School on Retaliation, Mediation and Punishment; and the International Max Planck Research School for Comparative Criminal Law.

Together with the [[EUCOR]] universities of [[University of Basel|Basel]] and [[University of Strasbourg|Strasbourg]] and the [[Karlsruhe Institute of Technology]], the University of Freiburg also runs the shared graduate school [[École supérieure de biotechnologie Strasbourg]], enabling the students to obtain an international degree in biotechnology and a trilingual education, as classes are taught in English, German, and French.

===International language courses===
The University of Freiburg has offered German language courses for foreign students since 1911. The courses take place at the university's Language Teaching Centre ('Sprachlehrinstitut') during the semester breaks and attract students from over 50 nations.. The intensive language lessons are bolstered by a supplementary program with lectures and seminars on [[Culture of Germany|German culture]], [[German politics|politics]], [[German philosophy|philosophy]], and [[German art|art]], as well as excursions to the Black Forest, the [[Alsace]] region in France, Basel (Switzerland) or [[Lake Constance]]. In addition to classes for all language levels, professional German courses (e.g. business German) are also offered.

==Sustainability==
The city of Freiburg is known for its environmentally friendly policies and focus on renewable energy and sustainability, attracting solar industry and research to the city. This environmentally conscious attitude also extends to the University of Freiburg which has founded the work group "Nachhaltige Universität Freiburg" (Sustainable University of Freiburg) and has drawn up environmental guidelines to be implemented in university practice.

The university has also founded the initiative Solar-Uni Freiburg in 2007, with the aim of further expanding its capabilities in sustainability and environmental research. Solar panels were installed on the roofs of university buildings. To bundle renewable energy research and teaching at the university, the Center for Renewable Energy (ZEE, Zentrum für Erneuerbare Energien), an interdisciplinary and cross-faculty facility, was founded. Aside from research in the fields of solar energy, biomass, geothermal energy, energy efficiency and new energies, an international Master of Science degree in Renewable Energy Management is being offered.

In addition to its own expertise, the Center for Renewable Energy can draw upon the support of the renewable energy industrial sector in Freiburg, as well as the university's cooperation with other research institutes in the area, such as the [[Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE]], the Öko-Institut – Institute for Applied Ecology, or the University of Applied Sciences Offenburg.

==University cooperation==

===Local partner institutions===
The University of Freiburg cooperates closely with external research institutions located in Freiburg, several of which are connected with chairs at the university.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uni-freiburg.de/en/universitaet/kurzportrait.php |title=A brief portrait of the University of Freiburg |access-date=11 August 2009 |work=Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090329064905/http://www.uni-freiburg.de/en/universitaet/kurzportrait.php |archive-date=29 March 2009 }}</ref>

Collaborating institutions include:
{| width="85%"
|-----
| valign="top" |
* the [[Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Scientific Community]] Kiepenheuer-Institut für Sonnenphysik (solar physic)
* the [[Bernstein Center Freiburg]]
* the [[Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics]]
* the [[Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law]] (formerly known as Max Planck Institute for Foreign and International Criminal Law)
* the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Fire Ecology Research Group
* the Arnold Bergstraesser Institute for Socio-Cultural Research (ABI)
| valign="top" |
* the [[Fraunhofer Society|Fraunhofer Institute]] for Applied Solid-State Physics
* the Fraunhofer Institute for High-Speed Dynamics (Ernst-Mach-Institut)
* the Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques
* the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems
* the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials
* the [[Confucius Institute]]
* the [[Walter Eucken Institut]] 
|}

===International cooperation===
The university is part of the regional [[EUCOR]] federation together with the [[Karlsruhe Institute of Technology]], the universities of [[University of Basel|Basel]], [[Haute Alsace University|Mulhouse]], and, marked by particularly close ties, [[University of Strasbourg|Strasbourg]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pr.uni-freiburg.de/pm/2010/pm.2010-09-28.229/|title=A new partnership for excellence|website=Pr.uni-freiburg.de|access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> Freiburg is further a member of the [[League of European Research Universities]]; the [[European University Association]]; ASEA-Uninet; AC21; and the [[International Forum of Public Universities]] (IFPU). The university also has exchange agreements and cooperative efforts with universities on almost every continent.

The University of Freiburg initiated an English language international master's program in [[social sciences]], the [https://web.archive.org/web/20081209104312/http://www.gsp.uni-freiburg.de/Home.html Global Studies Programme] (GSP) in 2001. The aim of the program is to enable students to study social sciences in different regions and cultures. Combining various disciplines such as sociology, [[political sciences]], [[anthropology]] and [[geography]], students approach globalization with a unique perspective. The program is conducted jointly by the University of Freiburg with the [[University of Cape Town]] in [[Cape Town]], South Africa, the [[Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi|Jawaharlal Nehru University]] in New Delhi, India, the [[Latin American Social Sciences Institute]] in Buenos Aires, [[Argentina]], and the [[Chulalongkorn University]] in [[Bangkok]], Thailand. Students in the GSP master's program study on three different continents during the two-year degree program. Since 2008, the GSP also offers a PhD program in Global Studies. The Global Studies Program has received many awards, among them the [[BMW Group]] Award for Intercultural Learning in 2004 as well as being listed a Top Ten International master's degree Course in Germany by the [[German Academic Exchange Service]] (DAAD) in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.daad.de/deutschland/studienangebote/international-programmes/07535.en.html?ipid=1047&iplevel=&ipterm=&ipterm2=&ipfield=&ipsubject=&iptypehei=&iptownhei=Freiburg&iphei=&iplangdistribution=&iplangtest=&iptuitionfees=&ipjointdegree=&ipparttime=&ipfasttrack=&ipcombined=&ipduration= |title=DAAD – International Programmes in Germany 2011|website=www.daad.de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526082231/http://www.daad.de/deutschland/studienangebote/international-programmes/07535.en.html?ipid=1047&iplevel=&ipterm=&ipterm2=&ipfield=&ipsubject=&iptypehei=&iptownhei=Freiburg&iphei=&iplangdistribution=&iplangtest=&iptuitionfees=&ipjointdegree=&ipparttime=&ipfasttrack=&ipcombined=&ipduration= |archive-date=26 May 2011}}</ref>

In 1995, the University of Freiburg helped the [[Aromanians|Aromanian]] professor {{ill|Vasile Barba|bg|Василе Барба}} found the European Center of Aromanian Studies ({{langx|rup|Tsentrul European ti Studii Armãneshti}}; {{langx|de|link=no|Europäisches Zentrum für Aromunische Studien}}), specialized on [[Aromanian studies]].<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.yumpu.com/ro/document/read/50436589/zborlu-a-nostru-tv-radio-makedonia|title=Vasile Barba: un alumtãtor ti ascãparea a limbãljei shi a culturãljei armâneascã|first=Katharina|last=Barba|journal=Zborlu a nostru|issue=1–2|year=2009|language=rup}}</ref>

The university also supports the Institute for Russian-German Literature and Cultural Relations at the [[Russian State University for the Humanities]] as well as the Vladimir Admoni School for Doctoral Studies at the [[University of Latvia]].

Approximately 1/6th of its students are international students. Many students at this university participate in the ERASMUS exchange program.

==Notable alumni and professors==
{{main list|List of University of Freiburg people}}
Perhaps best known amongst the alumni of the university are [[Joseph Goebbels]], [[Martin Heidegger]], [[Edmund Husserl]], [[Hannah Arendt]], [[Paul Ehrlich]], [[Hans Krebs (biochemist)|Hans Krebs]], [[Hans Spemann]], [[Ethel Dench Puffer Howes]], and [[Friedrich Hayek]].

Among the affiliates are numerous Nobel laureates and [[Leibniz Prize]] winners.

<gallery heights="160px" widths="160">
Image:Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F078072-0004, Konrad Adenauer.jpg|[[Konrad Adenauer]]
Image:Johannes-Eck (cropped).jpg|[[Johann Eck]]
Image:Walter Eucken2.jpg|[[Walter Eucken]]
Image:Harald zur Hausen-press conference Dec 06th, 2008-6.jpg|[[Harald zur Hausen]]
Image:Friedrich Hayek portrait.jpg|[[Friedrich Hayek]]
Image:George de Hevesy.jpg|[[George de Hevesy]]
Image:Edmund Husserl 1900.jpg|[[Edmund Husserl]]
Image:Hans Adolf Krebs.jpg|[[Hans Adolf Krebs|Hans Krebs]]
Image:Herbert Marcuse in Newton, Massachusetts 1955 (cropped).jpg|[[Herbert Marcuse]]
Image:Heinrich Rickert.jpg|[[Heinrich Rickert]]
Image:Rudolf-Sohm.jpg|[[Rudolph Sohm]]
Image:Max Weber 1894.jpg|[[Max Weber]]
Image:August Weismann.jpg|[[August Weismann]]
Image:Windaus.jpg|[[Adolf Otto Reinhold Windaus]]
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[University Medical Center Freiburg]]
* [[Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies]]
* [[University Church, Freiburg]]
* [[Freiburg School|Freiburg School of Economic Thought]]
* [[IMTEK]]
* [[List of Jesuit sites]]
* [[List of medieval universities]]
* [[University of Freiburg Faculty of Biology]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg}}
* [https://uni-freiburg.de Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg]
** [https://ojs.uclouvain.be/index.php/RETE/article/view/77313 Scholars and Literati at the University of Freiburg (1457–1800)], in Repertorium Eruditorum Totius Europae/[https://ojs.uclouvain.be/index.php/RETE/index RETE].

{{University of Freiburg|state=expanded}}
{{Navboxes|list=
{{Universities and colleges in Baden-Württemberg}}
{{German U15}}
{{Universities in Germany}}
{{League of European Research Universities}}
{{International Forum of Public Universities}}
{{EUCOR}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{history of economic thought}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Freiburg, University Of}}
[[Category:University of Freiburg| ]]
[[Category:Education in Freiburg im Breisgau|University of Freiburg]]
[[Category:1450s establishments in the Holy Roman Empire]]
[[Category:1457 establishments in Europe]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in the 15th century]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Freiburg im Breisgau]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Freiburg im Breisgau]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Baden-Württemberg]]