Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn

The Universität Bonn is a German university of excellence (Exzellenzuniversität) in Bonn, with about 31,500 students. According to the university, it has eight clusters of excellence in different research fields, more than any other university in Germany; one example is PhenoRob, on robotics and the future of crop production. It is placed 69th in the Shanghai Ranking. Its historic main building is on Am Hof in the centre of Bonn, and researchers at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) work with the university, for example on optogenetics.

The 2026/27 academic year opens on 19 October 2026. New students are welcomed each year at the Ersti-Welcome in the main building, with simultaneous translation into English. The International Office holds Welcome Days for newly arrived international students and doctoral candidates, and the Welcome Center also supports the partners of international researchers. Students can use services such as:

• Central student advisory service (Zentrale Studienberatung)
• Language learning centre (Sprachlernzentrum)
• Career Service
• University and State Library (ULB)
• Studierendenwerk Bonn, the student services organisation

A weekly Chit-Chat Lounge, run with the student union's international department, helps international and local students meet.