Glasdach des Foyers
Glasdach des Foyers

Reaching new heights: Climb into the world's top 10 best young universities

University of Konstanz places 1st in Germany and 7th in the world in the latest ranking "THE 150 Under 50", comparing the best universities under 50 years of age.

The University of Konstanz can be now counted to the top ten universities in the international ranking Times Higher Education (THE) 150 Under 50“. Placing 7th, the University of Konstanz is now in the top group of the best emerging universities around the globe. The research-focused reform university is the top ranking university in German.

"This outstanding result is of great significance to us, as 2016 is the 50th year since our foundation. The ranking result confirms how the founding vision of a research-oriented, dynamic reform university has evolved in five decades to an internationally leading university.  Our 'Model Konstanz' is a model of success" says Professor Ulrich Rüdiger, rector of the University of Konstanz.

Mayor Uli Burchardt is very impressed by the university's success: "First place in Germany and place 7 worldwide in the ranking of the best universities under 50 years of age – that really is an amazing result and a tremendous success. We are proud of "our" university! I congratulate Rector Professor Dr Rüdiger and the entire university team. You are doing a great job, and Konstanz benefits nationally as well as internationally as a great location for science!”

The University of Konstanz was founded in 1966. The reform university has always placed great importance on interdisciplinary research and excellent conditions for work and life, thus creating a special creative environment for research. This was key to becoming one of the leading younger universities in Europe and the world, as well as a pacesetter in research. A milestone for the 'Model Konstanz' has been the university's success in both phases of the German Excellence Initiative since 2007. For years the University of Konstanz has ranked among the top young universities in the world. In the year of its 50th anniversary, it has been recognized to be among the 10 best international younger universities – "a dignified position as we now transfer to comparisons with traditional universities above the age of 50", Ulrich Rüdiger explains.

Times Higher Education is one of the most influential university rating agencies worldwide. Now in its fifth year, the ranking "Under 50" measures institutions on their teaching, research, citations, international outlook and knowledge transfer as well as strength in external funding.

"Young, high-performing and dynamic institutions head the"150 Under 50" ranking – from nations that invest heavily in creating world-class institutions" the publisher explains. The top of the ranking features a concentration of institutions from Asia and continental Europe – a generation change compared to the traditionally strong US-American universities. 10 German institutions of higher education are among the top 150 young universities. The University of Konstanz is closely followed by the Karlsruhe Institute for Technology (KIT) in 8th place and Ulm University in 13th place. Switzerland’s École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) topped this year's ranking.

The full ranking results an be found at: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/150-under-50-rankings-2016