Humboldt University of Berlin

The Humboldt University of Berlin (German: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, abbreviated HU Berlin) is a public research university located in the central borough of Mitte in Berlin, Germany. It was established by Frederick William III in 1809 and opened in 1810, originally called the University of Berlin. Over time, it changed names and was known as the Friedrich Wilhelm University of Berlin until 1945. After the Cold War, when the city was divided, the university found itself 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 around 35,000 students studying in 171 different fields. It is famous for its Humboldtian model of higher education, which encourages students to explore ideas freely and think deeply. The university has a strong history in the natural sciences, with many important discoveries made by its professors, including Albert Einstein. Many famous thinkers and leaders have been students or teachers there, including 57 Nobel Prize winners—the most of any German university. 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, located on Unter den Linden boulevard in the historic center of Berlin. It was built between 1748 and 1753 for Prince Henry of Prussia, the brother of Frederick the Great. In 1809, this palace became the home of the university. After being damaged during World War II, it 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 in subjects like law, medicine, theology, and philosophy. Over time, the university grew and added new areas of study. Many important thinkers and leaders, including philosophers, scientists, and writers, have been connected to the university throughout its history.

During difficult times, such as the Nazi regime and the Cold War, the university faced challenges but continued to grow. Today, it is a large university with many students from around the world, spread across three campuses in Berlin.

Organization

The Humboldt University of Berlin is split into 9 different areas of study called faculties.

There are also 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 also has four important centers, including the Museum für Naturkunde, which is a Natural History Museum.

Students also have their own parliament, which they elect 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, during the Weimar Period, the library had over 800,000 books, making it one of Germany’s best university libraries.

Even during the Nazi book burnings in 1933, 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, making it one of Germany’s largest university libraries.

Academics

Rankings

According to the 2024 QS World University Rankings, the university ranked 120th globally and 7th at the national level. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2024, it was placed at 87th worldwide and 4th within the country.

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

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 big 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.