Humboldt University of Berlin

The Humboldt University of Berlin (German: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, abbreviated HU Berlin) is a public research university in the central area of Mitte in Berlin, Germany. It was started by Frederick William III in 1809 and opened in 1810. It was first called the University of Berlin. Over time, it changed its name and was known as the Friedrich Wilhelm University of Berlin until 1945. After the Cold War, when the city was divided, the university was in East Berlin and later took its current name in honor of the brothers Alexander and Wilhelm von Humboldt in 1949.

Today, Humboldt University is one of the largest and most respected universities in Europe, with many students studying in different fields. It is known for its Humboldtian model of higher education, which encourages students to explore ideas freely. The university has a strong history in the natural sciences, and many important discoveries were made by its teachers, including Albert Einstein. Many famous thinkers and leaders have been students or teachers there. Its main campus is along the Unter den Linden boulevard in the heart of Berlin.

History

The main building of Humboldt-Universität is called the Prinz-Heinrich-Palais, or Prince Henry's Palace. It is on Unter den Linden boulevard in the center of Berlin. The building was built between 1748 and 1753 for Prince Henry of Prussia. He was the brother of Frederick the Great. In 1809, the palace became the home of the university. It was damaged during World War II but was rebuilt between 1949 and 1962.

The University of Berlin was founded in 1809 by King Friedrich Wilhelm III. It opened in 1810 with students and teachers studying subjects like law, medicine, theology, and philosophy. Over time, the university grew and added new areas of study. Many important thinkers and leaders have been connected to the university.

During difficult times, such as the Nazi regime and the Cold War, the university faced challenges but kept growing. Today, it is a large university with students from around the world, located at three campuses in Berlin.

Organization

The Humboldt University of Berlin has 9 areas of study called faculties.

There are special schools for students who want to do advanced research, like the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies and the Berlin School of Mind and Brain. The university has four important centers, including the Museum für Naturkunde, a Natural History Museum.

Students elect their own parliament each year to represent their interests.

Library

When the Royal Library was too small, a new library was started in 1831. It moved into a special building in 1871–1874. In 1910, the books went to the Berlin State Library.

By 1930, the library had over 800,000 books.

Even during hard times, the university’s books were safe. Not many were lost during the World War II. In 2003, science books moved to a new library at the Adlershof campus.

Because the old State Library needed to close in 2005, a new library building was built near the main university. It opened in 2009 and is called the “Jacob und Wilhelm Grimm-Zentrum” or Grimm Zentrum.

Today, the university library has about 6.5 million books and 9,000 magazines.

Academics

Rankings

In 2024, the university ranked 120th in the world and 7th in Germany, according to the QS World University Rankings. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2024, it was placed 87th in the world and 4th in Germany.

In 2023, Humboldt University was first in Germany for arts and humanities and social sciences in the QS Subject Ranking. In 2024, it was second in Germany for arts and humanities, law, psychology, and social sciences in the THE Subject Ranking. In 2023, it was first in Germany for geography in the ARWU Subject Ranking.

International partnerships

HU students can study abroad for a semester or a year at partner institutions such as the University of Oxford, Princeton University and Peking University.

Notable alumni and faculty

Main articles: List of Humboldt University of Berlin people and List of Nobel laureates affiliated with Humboldt University of Berlin

The Humboldt University of Berlin has many famous people who studied or taught there. Some of these people made important discoveries in science. For example, Albert Einstein helped us understand how space, time, and light work together. Erwin Schrödinger and Max Planck helped create new ideas about tiny parts of nature. Max von Laue also did important work in physics.

Other famous people include Paul Ehrlich, who found ways to treat diseases, and Robert Koch, who discovered causes of serious illnesses. The university also counts writers, leaders, and thinkers like Karl Marx and Werner Heisenberg among its alumni and teachers.