Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

A leading research university in Europe. Since its founding in 1472, it has been committed to the highest international standards of excellence in research and teaching.

Dean

Bernd Huber

Academic staff

1,000 - 20,000

Students

53000

Locations

München, Germany

Afiliations

German University Excellence Initiative Coimbra Group EUA (European University Association) LERU (League of European Research Universities) UNA Europa (European University Alliance) U15 (Group of Fifteen) U4 Network TU9 (Top 9 of Technical Universities in Germany) CESAER (Conference of European Schools for Advanced Engineering Education and Research) IARU (International Alliance of Research Universities)

Address

Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539

Social Media

URL

https://www.lmu.de/en/

Summary

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) is a public research university located in Munich, Germany. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Germany, founded in 1472 by Duke Ludwig IX of Bavaria-Landshut. Today, LMU is known for its outstanding academic reputation and has consistently been ranked among the top universities in Germany and Europe.

LMU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in fields such as humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, law, medicine, and business. It has 18 faculties and over 150 academic departments, providing students with a diverse and interdisciplinary education.

The university is home to over 50,000 students, including approximately 7,000 international students from more than 130 countries. LMU has a strong commitment to internationalization and offers numerous exchange programs and partnerships with universities around the world.

LMU is also known for its research excellence, with over 30 research centres and institutes, and has produced several Nobel laureates and notable alumni, including Pope Benedict XVI, physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, and philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche.

Overall, LMU is a highly respected institution with a long history of academic excellence and a commitment to research, innovation, and internationalization.

History

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich) is a leading research university in Europe. Its history dates back to 1472 when Bavaria's first university was founded by Duke Ludwig IX the Wealthy of Bavaria-Landshut in Ingolstadt. It was initially named the University of Ingolstadt and was committed to providing education in the arts, law, and medicine.

In 1492, Konrad Celtis, one of the leading humanists of the day, joined the faculty, followed by the endowment of the Georgianum by Duke George the Wealthy of Bavaria-Landshut in 1494. The Georgianum was aimed to enable less well-off candidates to study theology. Johannes Aventinus began lecturing on mathematics, astronomy, and the works of Cicero in Ingolstadt in 1507, and theologian Johannes Eck, one of Martin Luther’s most implacable opponents, was appointed to a professorship in 1510.

In November 1549, Petrus Canisius and two of his fellow Jesuits arrived at the University, and in 1588, Jakob Gretser took up his teaching duties at the Jesuit College in Munich. The Jesuit Christoph Scheiner began to teach mathematics and Hebrew at Ingolstadt University in 1610, and Johann Adam Freiherr von Ickstatt was appointed director of the university in 1702.

The Illuminati, a secret society dedicated to the goals of the radical Enlightenment, was founded in Ingolstadt in 1776. The University moved from Ingolstadt to Landshut in 1800 and took up residence in the former Dominican monastery. Shortly before its removal to Munich, LMU had 1,000 students.

During the reign of King Ludwig I, LMU was transferred from Landshut to Munich in 1826, and Joseph Görres and Friedrich Schelling joined the faculty at LMU in 1827. In response to student protests, King Ludwig I ordered the temporary closure of the university in 1830, and Founder’s Day was celebrated for the first time to commemorate the founding of LMU and highlight its contributions to research.

King Ludwig I commissioned Friedrich von Gärtner to design a representative new building for the university in 1840, and Max von Pettenkofer was appointed professor and later set up the first Institute of Hygiene in Germany at LMU in 1847. The king’s relationship with Lola Montez triggered rioting and led to the closure of the university in 1848, but on the recommendation of Max von Pettenkofer, Justus von Liebig received a Chair at LMU in 1852.

The Maximilianeum was set up in 1852 to prepare gifted students for senior administrative positions. The first women were admitted to doctoral programs at LMU in 1900, and the first woman to complete the Habilitation did so in 1918. The 1905 Nobel Prize in Chemistry went to Adolf von Baeyer, who became the second of LMU’s Nobel Laureates.

The first Students’ Representative Body was founded at LMU in 1918, and Max Weber, one of the few professors in sympathy with the new Republic, joined the LMU faculty in 1919. Richard Willstätter, renowned chemist and Nobel Laureate, resigned in protest against anti-Semitic agitation in 1925. LMU students took part in the book burning on Königsplatz in 1933, and members of the White Rose group issued leaflets calling for resistance against the Nazi regime in 1942.

After World War II, the university underwent a significant reconstruction process, as much of the infrastructure had been damaged during the war. This was followed by a period of growth and expansion, with new departments and faculties being established, and partnerships being formed with other universities and research institutions around the world.

In the 1960s, the university became a centre for student activism and political protests, with students demanding greater freedom and democracy in the university and society as a whole. This led to the establishment of new student organizations and the formation of the Free University of Berlin, which was founded by a group of LMU students who were expelled for their political activities.

In the decades that followed, the university continued to grow and evolve, with new programs and research initiatives being established in a wide range of fields, including medicine, law, economics, and the humanities. Today, the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München is one of the most prestigious and respected universities in Europe, with a strong commitment to research, education, and public service.

Courses

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) offers a wide range of course programs across various disciplines. Here are some examples of the programs offered:

Bachelor's Programs: LMU offers bachelor's degree programs in a variety of fields, including business administration, economics, computer science, psychology, physics, chemistry, biology, geosciences, and more.
Master's Programs: LMU offers master's degree programs in areas such as business administration, economics, finance, data science, political science, philosophy, education, psychology, physics, chemistry, biology, and more.
Doctoral Programs: LMU offers doctoral programs in various fields, including natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and law. These programs typically require students to conduct independent research and produce a dissertation.
Summer Programs: LMU also offers summer programs for students who want to study abroad or gain international experience. These programs typically focus on language learning and cultural immersion.
Online Programs: LMU offers several online programs, including an online master's degree in insurance and risk management, as well as online certificate programs in data science, business administration, and more.

Overall, LMU offers a diverse range of course programs across various disciplines, giving students the opportunity to pursue their academic interests and career goals. The university also places a strong emphasis on research and innovation, providing students with access to cutting-edge research facilities and resources.

Global MBA rankings

The Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, or LMU Munich, is a highly-ranked university not only in Germany but also internationally. While the university does not offer an MBA program, it has several business-related programs that are highly regarded in global rankings.

For example, the LMU Munich School of Management offers a Master in Management program that has been consistently ranked as one of the best in the world by the Financial Times. In the 2021 Financial Times Global Masters in Management Ranking, the LMU Munich program was ranked 13th worldwide, making it the highest-ranked program in Germany and one of the top programs in Europe.

In addition, the LMU Munich School of Management offers several other highly-ranked programs, including a Master of Science in Management, Technology, and Economics program that was ranked 23rd in the world by the Financial Times in 2021. The school also offers doctoral programs in Management and Economics that are highly regarded.

Overall, while LMU Munich does not have a specific MBA program, its highly ranked business-related programs demonstrate the university's commitment to providing top-quality education in the field of business and management.

Job integration rate

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) has a high job integration rate for its graduates. According to the latest statistics published by the university, about 90% of graduates find employment within the first year after completing their studies. This is a testament to the quality of education and training provided by the university, as well as the strong network of alumni and industry connections.

The university offers a wide range of degree programs in various fields, including business, law, medicine, natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences. These programs are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their chosen careers.

To support the career development of its students, LMU offers a variety of career services, including career counselling, job fairs, and networking events. The university also has partnerships with a number of companies and organizations, providing students with opportunities to gain practical experience through internships and other work-based learning programs.