The University of Greifswald was founded in 1456 and is one of the oldest academic institutions in Europe. Over 12,000 students from all over the world receive the most modern academic instruction and exciting research opportunities in a time-honoured environment. Research priorities at the University of Greifswald are in the life sciences, physics and geosciences, cultural interaction in the Baltic/Nordic region, as well as law and economics. Our scientists engage in inter-disciplinary collaborations across faculties and aim for excellence in both research and teaching.
Recently, the University of Greifswald has received international attention for its outstanding research in genomics, medicine and physics. The Centre for Research Support (ZFF) helps scientists apply for grants and scholarships, and fosters links between the university and the business world, e.g., within the framework of the Siemens Centre of Knowledge Interchange (CKI).
Research and teaching at the University of Greifswald greatly benefit from the extensive contact with renowned research institutions in the region, e.g., the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Research and Technology, and the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics. The Alfred Krupp Institute of Advanced Study generously supports outstanding research projects in interdisciplinary and international collaborations.
Students and scientists benefit from the University of Greifswald's cooperation agreements with institutions across the world. International activities such as research collaboration or student exchange are coordinated by the International Office. The Welcome Centre supports international students and scientists before and during their stay in Greifswald.
Greifswald is an attractive city with 60,000 inhabitants, located near the Baltic Sea about 200km north of Berlin. In addition to its dynamic university, Greifswald has an active industrial sector and many attractive recreational opportunities. Water sports are particularly popular on the Greifswalder Bodden and along the Baltic Sea coast on the nearby islands of Ruegen and Usedom. The city of Stralsund, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is located only 20 km to the north.
The University of Greifswald is deeply rooted in the region. In recent years, special care has been taken to provide the general public with access to current, often highly complex, scientific advancements. Guided tours exploring the historic buildings and the many valuable collections of the university are increasingly popular.