Universität Bremen

With 290 professors and 19,000 students, the University of Bremen offers a large spectrum of subjects; 100 different study programs organized in 30 academic disciplines. The University of Bremen was founded in 1971. In the course of its relatively short history it has developed into the science center of North West Germany. When it was founded it broke new ground in many ways, earning the label “Bremen Model”. Some of these breakthroughs have now become standard features of modern universities. For instance: interdisciplinarity, research-based learning in projects, and social commitment.STRENGTH IN RESEARCHFor many years now, the University of Bremen has been among the top league of German universities in the area of research. Since June 2012, the University of Bremen is entitled ‘University of Excellence’, given its success in the Excellence Initiative, a competition launched by the German government to promote top-level university research. Research conducted at the University of Bremen is interdisciplinary. In other words: Bremen research transcends the borders of traditional disciplines and is embedded within six research concentrations, also known as high-profile areas: Ocean and Climate Research, Materials Science, Information-Cognition-Communication, Social Sciences, Health Science, and Logistics.The University of Bremen numbers among the most successful universities in Germany with regard to acquiring third-party funding for research projects. In the last years, external funding consistently accounted for one third of the University’s entire budget. FOCUS ON TEACHING EXCELLENCEEver since it was founded, the University of Bremen has purposefully pursued a policy of creating close links between its teaching and research activities. A good example is its approach to studying in projects, which fosters elements of independent research-based learning oriented to societal issues. Especially characteristic for its teaching profile is the University’s focus on research-based learning at an early stage of studies, the anchoring of a comprehensive program of General Studies in the curriculum, and the supportive integration of e-learning components. OPEN FOR NEW IDEASThe young University of Bremen is always open to new developments. For example, within the context of support for young researchers, in 2001 it was the very first university in Germany to introduce a so-called tenure track for "junior professors" (assistant professors), which became known as the “Bremen Perspective”. Junior professors are sure in the knowledge that after six years they will be shortlisted with other external candidates for a full professorship. As a complementary measure to the junior professorships, the University of Bremen has strengthened the academic position of independent leaders of junior research groups. In 2010, the university established a Graduate Center (ProUB – Promotionszentrum Universität Bremen) which provides a comprehensive catalogue of support services to all doctoral students and their supervisors, as well as to the university’s various doctoral programs. Moreover, the University of Bremen is widely known for its diversity management and gender mainstreaming policies. It has established high internal standards of equal opportunity, and according to the German Research Foundation it ranks among the most successful universities.SCIENCE AND RESEARCH IN THE INTEREST OF SOCIETYResearch and finding solutions to pressing social issues has a long tradition at the University of Bremen. This encompasses both fundamental as well as applied research. The University meets its commitment to education and research in the interest of society by entering into close cooperation with public institutions and enterprise, as well as by offering a broad spectrum of services to the community.