University of Marburg facts for kids

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Philipps University of Marburg

Philipps-Universität Marburg
Latin: Schola Marpurgensis
Type	Public
Established	1 July 1527; 497 years ago (1527-07-01)
Budget	€335.6 million
Chancellor	Claas Cordes
President	Thomas Nauss [de]
Academic staff	2,657
Administrative staff	1,794
Students	22,380
Location	Marburg , Hesse , Germany
Campus	University town
Affiliations	Compostela Group of Universities

The Philipps University of Marburg is a public research university in Marburg, Germany. It was started in 1527 by Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse. This makes it one of Germany's oldest universities. It is also the oldest Protestant university in the world that is still open.

Today, the University of Marburg is a public university of the state of Hesse. It does not have any religious ties anymore. About 23,500 students and 7,500 staff members work there. Marburg is a town of about 76,000 people. The university buildings are spread throughout the town. Around 14% of the students come from other countries. This is the highest number in Hesse. The university also has a summer program for international students. It offers student exchanges through the Erasmus programme, which lets students study in other European countries.

History of the University

The University of Marburg has a long and interesting history. It has been a place of learning for almost 500 years.

Early Discoveries in Chemistry

In 1609, the university created the world's first ever professorship in chemistry. This was a big step for science! In 2012, the university opened Germany's first interactive chemistry museum. It is called Chemicum. This museum helps young people get excited about science careers. The university was also one of the first in Germany to offer courses in gender studies.

Changes After World War II

After 1945, the Department of Social Sciences became very important. A professor named Wolfgang Abendroth had a big impact on political science in Germany during this time.

What Students Learn and Research

The university is known for its strong academic programs and research.

Important Research Areas

The university is very important for its research in life sciences. These studies look at living things and how they work. It also has one of the few centers that studies the Middle East. This is called the CNMS (Center for Near and Middle Eastern Studies). The psychology and geography departments are considered excellent in Europe.

The university takes part in many special research projects. These are called SFBs (Sonderforschungsbereiche). The German Science Foundation helps pay for these projects. They encourage scientists to work together across different subjects and departments. Some of the current SFB projects at Marburg University include:

• SFB/TR17 – Ras-dependent Pathways in Human Cancer (started 2004; with Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg)
• SFB/TR22 – Allergic response of the lung (started 2005, with Research Center Borstel and LMU Munich)
• SFB/TR81 – Chromatin Changes in Differentiation and Malignancies (started 2010, with Justus-Liebig Universität Gießen)
• SFB-TRR 84 – Innate Immunity of the Lung (started 2010, with Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, FU Berlin, Robert-Koch-Institut, Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Genetik, Max-Planck-Institut für Kolloid- und Grenzflächenforschung, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen)
• SFB-TRR 135 – Cardinal mechanisms of perception (started 2014, with Justus-Liebig Universität Gießen)
• SFB 593 – Mechanisms of cellular compartmentalisation and the relevance for disease (started 2003)
• SFB 987 – Microbial Diversity in Environmental Signal Response (started 2012, with Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg)
• SFB 1083 – Structure and Dynamics of Internal Interfaces (started 2013, with Donostia International Physics Center San Sebastián, Spain)
• SFB 1021 – RNA viruses: RNA metabolism, host response and pathogenesis (started 2013, with Justus-Liebig Universität Gießen)

University Collections and Museums

The university has many interesting collections and museums. These include:

• Alter Botanischer Garten Marburg, the university's old plant garden.
• Botanischer Garten Marburg, the university's current plant garden.
• Forschungsinstitut Lichtbildarchiv älterer Originalurkunden bis 1250 (a collection of old photos of medieval documents).
• Bildarchiv Foto Marburg (Germany's national picture archive for art).
• Religionskundliche Sammlung (a collection of religious items).
• Deutscher Sprachatlas (a map showing how German language is spoken in different areas).
• Mineralogisches Museum (a museum about minerals).
• Museum für Kunst und Kulturgeschichte (a museum of art and culture history).
• Museum Anatomicum (a museum about anatomy and medical history).

University Rankings

In 2024, the QS World University Rankings placed the university between 761st and 770th globally. In Germany, it was ranked 40th to 41st. The THE World University Rankings for 2024 put it between 401st and 500th worldwide. Nationally, it was 37th to 41st. The ARWU World Rankings of 2023 listed the university between 401st and 500th globally. In Germany, it ranked 25th to 31st.

Gallery

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  Department of Economics

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  Department of Psychology

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  The Lahnberge Campus is for natural sciences. This picture shows the Multiple Purpose Building. It has math and computer science departments, plus labs for material science and physical chemistry.

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  The Biology Department building looks similar.

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  The University Hospital and Medical Studies Department are also at the Lahnberge Campus.

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  The Old University has the university church, religious studies, and a large lecture hall.

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  The main office for university administration.

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  The Central Lecture Hall Building was built for more students.

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  University library

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  University of Marburg - Department of Social Sciences and former University library

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  One of the two large university cafeterias is by the Lahn river.

Famous People from the University

Many important people have studied or taught at Philipps University of Marburg.

Scientists and Researchers

Philosophers and Thinkers

Marburg was always known for its focus on humanities. This includes subjects like philosophy and theology. It kept this strength even after World War II.

Other Notable Alumni

See also

In Spanish: Universidad de Marburgo para niños

• List of early modern universities in Europe
• List of universities in Germany
• University hospital Giessen und Marburg