University of Jena

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Maintaining traditions and shaping the future are the fundamental aims underlying all research and teaching at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena (FSU). The FSU is one of the venerable and most historic universities in Germany. Its foundation in 1558 meant political change and a genuine commitment to freedom of belief and consciousness. Since its opening, the University has put Jena on the map internationally as a center of academia. Today, it is the largest higher education institution and the only comprehensive University in the German state of Thuringia. It attracts students of all subjects and scientists from all over the globe.

The FSU Jena still maintains the sense of innovation that characterized its early period. Today, it views itself as a forward-looking hub for new research fields and emerging generations of scientists. As a result, the University traditionally thinks and operates on an interdisciplinary and international basis. Over 18,000 students currently study at the University in Jena, and a large proportion of these students have an international background. Moreover, Jena's character has been fundamentally shaped by the embedding of the University within the city's historically rich and diverse cultural landscape and the emergence of the region as a hotbed for innovative and economically successful high-tech companies. As an active initiator in science, culture, and business, the University is committed to promoting the development of the city and region as a whole.

Light-Life-Liberty: Friedrich Schiller University Jena pools its top research and interdisciplinary study culture within these three profile lines. The muscular third-party funding availability at the FSU Jena is based on an outstanding foundation of individual research and collaborative research projects and networks, supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the European Union (EU) and many others. Moreover, the University operates as a partner to non-university research centers, research-driven companies, and well-known cultural institutions on both a regional and national basis. In cooperation with the universities in Leipzig and Halle-Wittenberg, the FSU is committed to promoting the long-term development of Central Germany as a center for innovative academia. Also, Friedrich Schiller University Jena actively supports close and long-term networking with top international universities and outstanding scientists.

With its ten faculties and Thuringia's only university hospital, Friedrich Schiller University covers a broad range of subjects within the academic spectrum. The University currently offers over 200-degree programs, which reflect the areas of focus in the University's research. The course offering encompasses multiple in-demand disciplines, international degree programs, and smaller niche subjects that can only be studied at a handful of German locations. The degree programs deliver on high-quality standards ("Akkreditierungssiegel" accreditation, course evaluations, "LehreLernen" program), underline the links between real academia and practice-driven application (Jena Model of Teacher Education, inclination-orientated medical studies), and ultimately conclude with internationally-recognized qualifications. In close cooperation with Jena's companies and non-university research organizations, the FSU offers a comprehensive research-oriented range of teaching and career-relevant projects within degree programs with its research museums and University collections.

Promoting the development of young academics on an international level is one particular focus of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. The highest quality standards in the qualification of young academics are implemented in Jena parallel to career development. The Graduate Academy (GA), with its "House for Young Researchers," is the central point where structural support programs are pooled. Together with the faculties, the Graduate Academy develops strategies for offering the best possible backing for doctoral candidates and postdocs. The offering centers on comprehensive support, qualification, and advisory services. As the central hub, the GA supports new initiatives dedicated to the interdisciplinary teaching of young academics and implementing mandatory University-wide quality standards. The GA's services are aimed at all doctoral candidates at the FSU. As a result, the city is also well positioned internationally to attract the best young academics going forward.

Pluralism, gender equality, international discussion, and responsibility for the community form the foundations for molding an open and family-friendly University and surroundings in Jena. International students confirm that Jena offers the best studying and student life (Excellent International Student Satisfaction Award, International Office). Moreover, with its Dual Career Service, award-winning family concept, and child care, the Friedrich Schiller University Jena attaches great importance to ensuring that study and family and career and family can be combined effectively.

In Jena, the city of light, everything is close-by. You can live in green surroundings and yet reach the heart of the city in minutes-or vice versa. That is the advantage of Jena's location. The boundaries here are somewhat fluid-both in an urban and intellectual sense. The distances in Jena are also short when it comes to maintaining contact between scientists and liaising with city authorities and local businesses. As a result, initiating creative plans in research and teaching is always quick and straightforward here.

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