A forward-thinking and open-minded institution

Many eminent scholars have studied, taught, and researched at our university: Philipp Franz von Siebold, renowned ethnologist, japanologist and naturalist, Rudolf Virchow, pioneer of modern cell biology, and Franz Brentano, prominent philosopher and psychologist, to name a few.

Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen discovered X-rays in Würzburg, an achievement for which he received the Nobel Prize in Physics. Since 1985, three scientists who have worked at our university have been awarded Nobel Prizes: Klaus von Klitzing (physics), Hartmut Michel (chemistry), and Harald zur Hausen (medicine). We will continue to provide the best possible support for our outstanding, accomplished and creative scientists.

Our university devotes itself to basic and application-oriented research. We strive to gain new insights into scientific disciplines that have relevance for the future, thus laying the foundation for cultural, ecological, and economic innovation, as well as providing important stimuli for society, the environment, and the economy. Our research activities are guided by our scientists’ responsibility towards general public interest and basic human values.

Our university is devoted to delivering quality teaching. We want all of our students to acquire not only the best possible knowledge but also critical thinking skills. Our teaching activities focus on equipping students with research-based knowledge and skills to prepare them for their future careers and to help them expand their educational horizons. Our highly dedicated teaching staff is constantly working on improving the quality of its teaching and developing innovative teaching strategies.

In all of our degree programs, lecturers bring the latest research findings into their classrooms. We promote the interweaving of research and teaching and expose our students to research projects.

A Graduate School spanning the entire university was established for doctoral training. We encourage our junior researchers to be autonomous and create ideal conditions for them to put their ideas into practice. In offering opportunities for part-time studies, we foster lifelong learning and a direct transfer of knowledge into the professional world.

Our university offers teaching degree programs for different school types. We consider these programs to be of particular importance to society and train our future teachers according to the highest standards and latest scientific findings.

To make sure our teaching degree students are well equipped for careers not only inside the classroom but also outside school, we offer them the opportunity to simultaneously study for the Staatsexamen (the state examination for teachers), and complete an academic degree (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science). We also support students wishing to transfer to a Master’s or doctoral program.

We attach particular importance to promoting vigorous and constant interdisciplinary exchange. This is why we created new degree programs at the interfaces between the humanities and the natural sciences, as well as between the natural sciences and life sciences.

Intercultural elements and transferable skills relevant for careers in a variety of fields have become integral parts of many curricula. Research centers for major interdisciplinary research topics have been created to provide highly productive research groups with particularly favorable conditions for conducting studies of international significance.

We are vigorous in our efforts to create equal opportunities for women and men in research, teaching and administration and are committed to providing them with the opportunity to realize their full creative potential. For this reason, we have introduced measures to support the development of staff members at all stages of their careers.

In 2008, JMU was officially certified as a family-friendly university. We place utmost importance on offering working conditions that meet the needs of our staff members and students who have family responsibilities, such as taking care of children or elderly family members.

We are committed to providing and developing customized childcare options. We strive to offer flexible and non-bureaucratic solutions to the challenges of everyday life and domestic circumstances.

Many international students study at our university, and we are continuously expanding our exchange programs with renowned universities all over the world. We ensure that exchange with our partners is mutual and balanced. We are committed to providing all students with an opportunity to spend some time living and studying abroad, and we consider international exchange an opportunity to promote an understanding of different cultures, nationalities, and languages to our students.

We are committed to providing ideal conditions for our research and teaching activities and cooperating with businesses. Our administrative staff places great importance on upskilling its members and implementing innovative working practices. As a major employer and apprentice employer in the region, our university cares about its employees.

We provide our staff members with the best possible working conditions, encourage their connection and identification with the university, and provide guidance and advice on the use of property rights for startups that originated at our university.

We carefully consider the concerns of our students and staff members when making decisions that affect the environment in which they study and work. Our students play an active part in developing, improving, and evaluating our degree programs. We support faculty and university student representations, the council of academic staff, as well as the staff council and make sure they have a say in important decision-making processes.

We are proud of our graduates and aim to keep in contact with them. Our alumni network provides a platform for students and alumni to exchange experiences and ideas. Our alumni possess a wealth of professional experience which can greatly benefit our students and teaching staff. As such, we encourage our alumni to participate in university life and forge strong alliances, which in turn strengthens our university.

Whether we construct, organize, research or teach, all our activities reflect our commitment to sustainability. Home to 30,000 people and dedicated to fostering innovation and ideas, our university is proud to be a leader in addressing pressing issues, such as climate change or sustainable energy generation.

Our university, the city of Würzburg, and the entire region of Main Franconia are attractive places for our students and staff members to live, learn, and work. Its architectural beauty, easily accessible geographic location, scenic surroundings, and wide variety of recreational activities make Würzburg a popular place among students and researchers alike.

The Main-Franconia region is characterized by vineyards, the river Main, and a climate reminiscent of the Mediterranean. Many guests of our university who come from all over the world to research, teach or study in Würzburg fall in love with the city.