Kiel University

Founding of the University in Kiel

The origins of the university in Kiel trace back to the increasing need for well-educated priests during the Reformation. Additionally, the growing involvement of citizens in significant administrative roles contributed to the idea of establishing a university in the duchies. However, wars in the early 17th century and political conflicts between dukes and the king initially delayed these plans. Eventually, Duke Friedrich III commissioned his son, Christian Albrecht, to advance the founding of the university. In 1660, Christian Albrecht succeeded in realizing these plans and selected Kiel as the university's location. On October 5, 1665, the university was inaugurated under the name Christiana Albertina in a former Franciscan monastery with four lecture halls and a library. At that time, 17 professors taught theology, medicine, law, and the liberal arts.^[7][8]

Periods of Growth and Stagnation

A significant growth period for the university occurred a century later under Russian Empress Catherine the Great, from whom it received its colors, purple and white. After the death of her husband, who had been born in Kiel, Catherine commissioned the architect Ernst Georg Sonnin to construct a new university building This plain brick building with rusticated articulation was ready for occupation in 1768 after a two-year construction period.^[9] Lectures were held here until 1876. From 1877 until its destruction during World War II, the building served as a museum.^[10] Following the unification of the duchies in 1773, the university continued to flourish as the northernmost German and southernmost Scandinavian university.

Nearly 100 years later, the university's development stagnated. With the Second Schleswig War, the rule of the Kingdom of Denmark over the Duchy of Schleswig and the Duchy of Holstein came to an end. After the Austro-Prussian War, the two former duchies became the Prussian Province of Schleswig-Holstein in 1867. Kiel also came under Prussian administration. The Kiel University lost its legal privileges and was now the smallest of the ten universities in Prussia.^[11] From 1870, student numbers began to rise again, and 38 years later, women were also admitted.^[7]

During and after WWII

Acceptance of Nazism was high from an early stage, not only among professors but also among students in Kiel: as early as 1927, Joachim Haupt, an official of the National Socialist German Students' League, was elected chairman of the Kiel Student League.^[12] During the Nazi regime starting in 1933, the university experienced Gleichschaltung, the expulsion of Jewish professors, and the persecution of dissenters.^[7] According to recent studies, 36 out of 222 members of the teaching staff in Kiel were expelled (17.1%)^[13] or dismissed (16.2%) during the Nazi era for racial or political reasons.^[14]

In World War II, many buildings were destroyed by Allied air raids, including the university library in 1942.^[7] By the end of the war, 60–61% of the University of Kiel had been destroyed.^[15]

Post-War Reconstruction and Expansion

With the support of the British, teaching resumed as early as November 1945, initially on ships. In the 1960s, a new campus was developed on the Kiel Westring. The student protests of the late 1960s led to a modernization of the university's structure. The campus was expanded in 1972 with buildings on Olshausenstraße and new sports facilities, and in 1991, the Faculty of Engineering opened in Kiel-Gaarden. The number of students steadily increased and now stands at about 25,000 to 30,000. The Christian-Albrecht University has not only become an internationally respected university but also one of the largest employers in Kiel.^[7]

New developments

In the 2014/2015 winter semester, more than 25,000 students were enrolled at CAU for the first time.^[16]

In 2015, Kiel University celebrated its 350th anniversary. To mark the anniversary, the Institute of Prehistory and Early History erected a reconstruction of the Neolithic megalithic tomb Wangels LA 69 on campus, using methods faithful to the original.^[17]

Since 2016, buildings on the campus of Kiel University have been gradually renovated or rebuilt.^[18] In addition to work on the main campus, new buildings have been constructed for individual departments, including the Agricultural Sciences, which now house a computer centre. At the Bremerskamp site, a new quarter was developed that combines university facilities with residential accommodation. Among other things, a new building for evolutionary research, known as the Amöbe, was constructed there. Two new research and laboratory buildings were built for the Faculty of Medicine.^[19]

In 2020, the Academic Senate approved the establishment of the interdisciplinary Master School of Marine Sciences (iMSMS). It evolved from the previously existing Ocean Education Initiative and combines interdisciplinary teaching programmes in the field of marine sciences.^[20]

In March 2023, a decision was also taken to renovate the Kunsthalle Kiel, at a cost of around 49.5 million euros. The Kunsthalle is a university institution. The renovation work mainly involves technical and structural upgrades, as well as the modernisation of the exhibition and educational areas.^[21]

In November 2025, the university, together with eight European partner universities, signed the legal framework for the establishment of the SEA-EU Association. The European University of the Seas (SEA-EU) alliance, which has existed since 2019 as part of the Erasmus+ programme, was thus given its own legal structure. This is intended to enable the partner universities to continue their collaboration beyond the current funding period.^[22]

Faculties

Christian-Albrechts-Universität currently consists of the following eight faculties:^[26]

• Faculty of Theology
• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences
• Faculty of Medicine
• Faculty of Arts and Humanities
• Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
• Faculty of Agricultural Science and Nutritional Sciences
• Faculty of Engineering

Key figures

In the 2024/25 winter semester, 24,925 students were enrolled; 54.75% of these were female (13,647 students).^[2] The majority of students come from Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg and Lower Saxony.^[27]

In the 2024 academic year, 6,446 people began their studies, of whom 3,689 were women and 2,757 were men. In the same year, 3,826 students graduated, including 2,241 women and 1,585 men. The number of doctorates awarded was 401, of which 192 were completed by women and 209 by men. In the calendar year 2024, 23 postdoctoral qualifications were recorded (6 by women and 17 by men).^[2]

In 2024, 3,870 people were employed at the university; 1,932 of them were women and 1,938 were men. The number of university professors was 431. State funding amounted to €223.7 million in 2024, whilst expenditure from third-party funding was €77.5 million.^[2]

As of April 2025, 1,303 students are enrolled across the faculties at Kiel University.^[28]

Central units

Central facilities of Kiel University include the University Library (newly opened in 2001), the Computing Centre (RZ), the Sports Centre, the Digital Science Centre, the Interdisciplinary Multimedia Centre, the Research and Technology Centre, West Coast (FTZ) in Büsum, the Graduate Centre, the Postdoc Centre and the Institute for Inclusive Education.^[29]

Kiel University Library is located on the campus on Leibnizstraße and opened in 2001 in a new building. As of 2024, its collection includes around 2.5 million printed books and journals, as well as more than 135,000 e-books and over 33,000 electronic journals. In addition, it provides access to more than 600 databases and contains extensive historical collections, including over 6,000 manuscripts and autographs. Alongside the central library, there are several departmental libraries. In total, more than 1,100 study spaces are available to users within the library buildings.^[30]

Affiliated institutes

Kiel University includes other independent institutions which, in accordance with Section 35 of the Schleswig-Holstein Higher Education Act (HSG), assume the status of a university institution:

• Institute for Security Policy
• Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW)
• Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (IPN)
• ZBW – Leibniz Information Centre for Economics
• Lorenz-von-Stein-Institute for Administrative Sciences
• GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
• University Medical Center Schleswig Holstein (UKSH)
• Schleswig-Holstein State Museums Foundation Schloss Gottorf
• Archaeological Museum Schloss Gottorf
• Museum of Art and Cultural History Schloss Gottorf
• Viking Museum Haithabu
• Open-Air Museum Molfsee - State Museum for Ethnology
• Jewish Museum in Rendsburg
• Ornamental Cast Iron Museum Büdelsdorf
• Cismar Monastery

Institutions associated with Kiel University

• Research Center Borstel
• GEOMAR | Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
• Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Centre for Materials and Coastal Research
• Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology
• Max Rubner-Institut: Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Kiel
• Max Rubner-Institut: Department of Safety and Quality of Milk and Fish Products, Kiel
• Radiation safety seminar
• University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein

Research and study centres

Further centres at Kiel University:

• German-Norwegian Study Centre (DNSZ)
• Molecular Imaging North Competence Centre (MOIN CC)^[31]
• GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
• Hermann Kantorowicz Institute for Fundamental Legal Research (HKI)
• Institute for Security Policy Kiel University (ISPK)
• Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW)
• Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (IPN)
• Lorenz-von-Stein-Institute for Administrative Sciences
• Walther Schücking Institute for International Law (WSI)
• Zentrum für asiatische und afrikanische Studien (ZAAS)
• Centre for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BiMo)^[32]
• Gustav Radbruch Network for Philosophy and Ethics of the Environment^[33]
• Key Skills Centre (ZfS)
• Centre of Clinical Anatomy (ZKA)
• Zentrum für Lehrerbildung (ZfL)
• Centre for Molecular Biosciences (ZMB)
• Centre of North American Studies (ZNAS)
• Zentrum für Osteuropastudien (ZOS)
• Centre for Ocean and Society (CeOS)
• China Centre^[34]

Courses

The university offers more than 190 degree programmes leading to different types of qualifications, including bachelor’s, master’s and state examination programmes, as well as PhD opportunities.^[35][6] The degree programmes are organised across the university’s eight faculties.^[26]

Teacher training takes place within teacher training programmes designed for different school types. In the field of teacher education, the university collaborates with, amongst others, the Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (IPN).^[36] Institutions such as the Institute for Inclusive Education are also involved in teacher training and qualification.^[37] The university participates in the Alliance for Teacher Training in Schleswig-Holstein.^[38]

In addition, there are interdisciplinary study programmes and international degree courses, including a number of English-language Master’s programmes.^[6] The cross-faculty programmes include, amongst others, the interdisciplinary Master School of Marine Sciences, which combines teaching modules on marine science topics from different disciplines,^[39][20] as well as the Kiel School of Sustainability, which organises Master’s programmes and courses on sustainable development.^[40]

In addition to standard degree programmes, there are a variety of ways to engage with university life, including a junior degree programme for school pupils, guest^[41] and part-time student status, and the option of a dual degree programme. Students can also complete certificate programmes in specific subject areas.^[6]

The Centre for Key Competencies (ZfS) offers courses and language classes designed to develop interdisciplinary skills.^[42]

Continuing Professional Development

The Continuing Professional Development Centre sees itself as an interface between scientific findings from the university and the requirements of professional practice. The Centre has been the continuing education provider at Kiel University since 1996. It offers seminars for specialists and managers, internal and external (scientific) university staff, students and graduates.

It offers seminars for professionals and managers, academic staff, as well as students and graduates. These include fee-paying master’s-level continuing education programmes, as well as certificate programmes and other professional development opportunities.^[43] Part-time degree programmes include, amongst others, the Master’s programme in Hospital Management, which is aimed specifically at doctors and prepares them for management roles in the healthcare sector,^[44] as well as the Master’s programme in School Management and Quality Development, which is aimed at teachers and management staff in the education sector.^[45][46]

European Research Council (ERC)^[48]

Job fair

For job-seeking graduates and researchers, Kiel University and Kiel University of Applied Sciences jointly organise talent transfair,^[49] which takes place twice a year, alternating between the Auditorium Maximum and a tent on the forecourt of the Audimax or on the campus of Kiel University of Applied Sciences, and promotes exchange and mutual acquaintance between potential employers and employees.

Research Areas

Research areas at Kiel University include life sciences, marine sciences, nanoscience and social sciences.^[50] The university’s central fields of research include marine and geosciences, medical and life sciences, evolutionary biology and nanoscience. Several of these fields are organised in interdisciplinary research networks. A particular priority is placed on research into chronic inflammatory diseases. This research is conducted, among other contexts, within the Cluster of Excellence Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation.^[51]

Smaller fields of research include agricultural and nutritional sciences. Research in this area includes issues relating to food safety and quality assurance in food production. In this context, the QUASI research network was established in the early 2000s.^[52]

Strategy for Excellence

As part of the German Universities Excellence Initiative of the German federal and state governments, the Cluster of Excellence The Future Ocean was approved in October 2006. In October 2007, a further Cluster of Excellence, Inflammation at Interfaces, and the Graduate School Human Development in Landscapes followed. With this funding, the university was among the most successful higher education institutions in the first round of the Excellence Initiative after the nine so-called universities of excellence.^[53][54]

Since 2018, the clusters Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation (PMI) and ROOTS – Social, Environmental, and Cultural Connectivity in Past Societies have been funded under the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments. Funding for both clusters was extended in 2025 until 2032.^[55]

The cluster Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation (PMI) deals with the causes, diagnosis and treatment options of chronic inflammatory diseases. The conditions studied include Crohn’s disease, psoriasis and diabetes. In addition to CAU, the University of Lübeck, the University Medical Center Schleswig Holstein and other research institutions are involved in the cluster. The Cluster of Excellence ROOTS examines social, cultural and economic interconnections in past societies and their significance for present-day developments. Its research is based particularly in archaeology and related historical disciplines.^[55]

With the renewed approval of the clusters, the university again has the opportunity to apply for the status of a University of Excellence. In June 2025, the university senate unanimously decided to submit such an application.^[56] At the end of 2025, the university subsequently submitted its application to the German Council of Science and Humanities for funding as a University of Excellence. A decision on the designation of new Universities of Excellence is expected between September and October 2026. If the application is approved, the university could receive additional funding of up to 15 million euros per year until 2033.^[57]

Partnerships and alliances (selection)

The university participates in regional, national and international research networks. Since 1994, it has been involved in the North German University Network for the improvement of teaching and research. It is also one of the initiators of the Allianz für Spitzenforschung.SH, an association of different universities and research institutions in Schleswig-Holstein founded in 2020.^[58]

In the field of marine and geosciences, the university cooperates, among others, with the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. Their joint research includes changes in the oceans, the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems and issues relating to the sustainable use of marine resources.^[51]

In the field of evolutionary biology, the university participates in the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Evolutionary Biology, which is operated jointly with the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Plön and the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel.^[51]

The research priority in nanoscience and surface research is organised in the Kiel Nano Surface and Interface Science (KiNSIS) research network. In this network, researchers at the university work with partners from non-university institutions such as the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicon Technology and the Helmholtz Centre.^[51]

In the field of materials science, the university cooperates with the University of Minnesota as part of a project on ceramic shape-memory materials funded by the German Research Foundation.^[59]

In medicine, there is cooperation with the Institute of Science Tokyo, based on an agreement concluded in 2023 with the former Tokyo Medical and Dental University and expanded in 2024. The cooperation includes in particular the exchange of researchers and joint activities in inflammation medicine.^[60] In medical research, the university also cooperates, together with the University Medical Center Schleswig Holstein, with the University of California, San Francisco in the KI-Exchange project in the field of artificial intelligence.^[61]

University lecturers in Kiel

The holders of chairs at Kiel University included the physiologist Hans Friedrich Meves (1925–2008) from 1967 to 1970, the human geneticist Werner Grote (1938–2025) from 1975, and the chemist and nutrition scientist Walter Feldheim (1926–2016) from 1976.^[63]

• 
  Anselm von Feuerbach, 1802–1804
• 
  Johann Gustav Droysen, 1840–1851
• 
  Louis Stromeyer, from 1848
• 
  Wilhelm Griesinger, director of Kiel University Hospital from 1849
• 
  Friedrich von Esmarch, 1854–1898
• 
  Theodor Nöldeke, 1864–1872
• 
  Wilhelm Dilthey, 1868–1871
• 
  Ferdinand Tönnies, 1881–1933
• 
  Heinrich Hertz, 1883–1885
• 
  Max Planck, 1885–1889

Alumni

See also Category:University of Kiel alumni

• Franz Boas (1858–1942), anthropologist
• Alice Bota (born 1979), journalist
• Georg von Dadelsen (1918–2007), musicologist, Neue Bach-Ausgabe
• Matthias von Davier, psychometrician, academic, inventor, and author
• Gerhard Domagk, bacteriologist, Nobel laureate
• Andre Franke, geneticist
• Maren Gaulke (born 1955), herpetologist
• Johanna Hellman (1889–1982), surgeon
• Mareile Höppner, television presenter^[64]
• Doris König, current judge of the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany
• Wolfgang Kubicki, politician, vice chairman of the FDP in Germany, from 1992 to 1993 and since 1996 he is faction leader of the FDP in the Landtag, the parliament of Schleswig-Holstein, member of the Bundestag
• Oswald Pohl (1892–1951), Nazi SS officer executed for war crimes
• Viktoria Schmidt-Linsenhoff (1944–2013), German art historian and professor
• Dagmar Karin Sørbøe (born 1945), Norwegian physiotherapist and women's rights activist^[65]
• Gerhard Stoltenberg, politician, former prime minister of Schleswig-Holstein, former finance minister of Germany
• Peer Steinbrück, politician, former prime minister of North Rhine Westphalia, former finance minister of Germany
• Christian Thierfelder, cropping systems agronomist and researcher
• Erich Walter Sternberg, composer
• Sibylle Kessal-Wulf, former judge of the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany, Germany's highest court
• Surya Hermawan, lecturer at Petra Christian University, Indonesia

Academics

Gallery

• 
  "Some shine when you read them" - Aerial photograph of the University Library of the CAU on Leibniz Street
• 
  The Leibniz Institute for the Education in Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Olshausenstraße
• 
  The Centre for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ZMB) of the CAU at the Botanical Garden
• 
  Leibniz-Straße-based institutes, the cafeteria and the university library
• 
  The Otto-Hahn-Platz and the Max-Eyth-Straße with the various chemical institutes and the Anatomical Institute
• 
  The sports facilities and the Institute of Sports Science of the CAU
• 
  The grounds of the botanical garden of the CAU Kiel
• 
  The greenhouses of the Botanical Garden of the CAU