Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Jena, Germany • Founded 1548 • World Rank #410
Updated May 2026
Overview
Established in 1558, the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena (Friedrich Schiller University Jena) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Jena (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Thuringia.
Officially recognized by the Thüringer Ministerium für Bildung, Jugend und Sport (Thuringian Ministry for Education, Youth and Sport), Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena (FSU) is a large-sized coeducational German higher education institution. Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena (FSU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
This 466-year-old German higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 70-79% making this German higher education organization a moderately selective institution.
International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
FSU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Need to mail, call, or visit Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena? Address, phone, and digital contact options below. Religious and cultural accommodation queries route through specific student services.
Academic Details
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena's institutional metrics and recognition context. Recognition reciprocity matters for credential portability — check whether your home country accepts Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena's qualifications.
Degrees
Also Certificates; Staatsexam in Psychotherapy, Behavioral Sciences, Pharmacy, Medicine, Dentistry; Secondary School Teacher Training state examination in Science Education, Humanities and Social Sciences Education, Religious Education, Computer Education, Art Education, Music Education, Mathematics Education, Physical Education.
Bachelor's 55 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Applied Mathematics
- Arabic
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Art Management
- Biochemistry
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biology
- Business Administration
- Business Computing
- Business Education
- Chemistry
- Classical Languages
- Communication Studies
- Computer Science
- Cultural Studies
- Earth Sciences
- Economics
- Educational Sciences
- English
- European Languages
- European Studies
- Film
- French
- Geography
- Geography (Human)
- Geology
- German
- Greek
- History
- History of Religion
- Italian
- Latin
- Law
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Management
- Mathematics
- Modern Languages
- Musicology
- Natural Sciences
- Nutrition
- Oriental Studies
- Philosophy
- Phonetics
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Portuguese
- Psychology
- Romance Languages
- Romanian
- Slavic Languages
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Sports
Master's 61 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- American Studies
- Ancient Civilizations
- Anthropology
- Applied Chemistry
- Arabic
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Arts and Humanities
- Biochemistry
- Business Administration
- Business Computing
- Business Education
- Chemistry
- Christian Religious Studies
- Communication Studies
- Computer Science
- Contemporary History
- Cultural Studies
- Earth Sciences
- Ecology
- Economics
- Education
- English
- Ethics
- European Studies
- Film
- Folklore
- Foreign Languages Education
- Geography
- Geology
- German
- Greek (Classical)
- History
- Human Resources
- Latin
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Mass Communication
- Materials Engineering
- Mathematics
- Medicine
- Medieval Studies
- Microbiology
- Middle Eastern Studies
- Modern History
- Molecular Biology
- Natural Sciences
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Polish
- Political Sciences
- Prehistory
- Private Law
- Psychology
- Public Law
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Sports
- Sports Management
- Surveying and Mapping
- Western European Studies
Doctoral 21 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Behavioural Sciences
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biology
- Business Administration
- Chemistry
- Cultural Studies
- Dentistry
- Earth Sciences
- Economics
- Education
- Engineering
- Geology
- Law
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Social Sciences
- Theology
Other 16 programs
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Behavioural Sciences
- Biology
- Business Administration
- Chemistry
- Commercial Law
- Economics
- Geology
- Law
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Protestant Theology
- Social Sciences
- Theology
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Thüringer Ministerium für Bildung, Jugend und Sport.
Business and Economics (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Business Administration
- Economics
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Chemistry and Earth Sciences (Faculty) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Chemistry
- Earth Sciences
- Geography
- Geology
- Geophysics
- Mineralogy
Common Career Paths
- Chemist
- Lab Researcher
- Quality Control Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Life Sciences (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biology
- Pharmacy
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Mathematics and Computer Science (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
Common Career Paths
- Software Engineer
- Data Scientist
- Systems Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Medicine (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Dentistry
- Medicine
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Medical Researcher
- Clinical Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Philosophy (Faculty) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Classical Languages
- History
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Modern Languages
- Musicology
- Philosophy
Physics and Astronomy (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Physics
Common Career Paths
- Physicist
- Research Scientist
- Data Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Social and Behavioural Sciences (Faculty) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Behavioural Sciences
- Educational Sciences
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Social Sciences
- Sociology
- Sports
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Theology (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Protestant Theology
Common Career Paths
- Religious Educator
- Pastoral Counsellor
- Faith Community Leader
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Look through Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena's programmes by level or filter for keywords. Programme-level scholarships exist alongside institution-wide ones; the programme page typically lists them.
198 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Germany
Bachelor's Degree 92 programmes
Showing 10 of 92.
Master's Degree 106 programmes
Showing 10 of 106.
How to apply to Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
A short guide to applying to Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena — five steps covering the path from programme selection to confirmation of receipt.
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1
Identify the right programme
Use the programme finder to browse Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena's 198 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.
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2
Check entry requirements
Programme-level requirements at Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.
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3
Prepare your application documents
Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.
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4
Submit via the institution
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena processes applications through www.uni-jena.de. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.
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5
Get in touch with admissions
Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Reach the institution by phone at +49 (3641) 931165. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
The questions below summarise Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena's vital institutional details — useful as a quick reference before drilling into specific sections.
When did Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena open?
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena traces its founding to 1548 (approximately 478 years ago).
Where is Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena located?
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena is located in Jena, Germany.
Is Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena a public or private institution?
It is a public higher-education institution.
What is the student enrolment at Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena?
Student enrolment at Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena is around 15,000-19,999.
Where does Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena stand in university rankings?
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena is ranked #410 globally and #24 in Germany.
What programmes are available at Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena?
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena delivers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes across its academic units.
Who recognises Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena?
Yes, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena is recognised by Ministry of Science, Research and Arts, State of Thuringia.
What is Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena's official website?
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena's official website is www.uni-jena.de.
Top-Ranked Universities in Germany
When shortlisting in Germany, students often start with the top-ranked institutions. Below are the national leaders worth comparing against Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, helpful for calibrating where Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena sits in the broader landscape.
Members of European University Association (EUA)
Cross-credit recognition between European University Association (EUA) members reduces friction for students moving between universities. Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena's membership often eases credit transfer to the institutions below.
Faculties at nearby universities
Regional language considerations matter when comparing universities near Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena. Bilingual or minority-language regions may shape teaching, signage, and daily life consistently across the cluster.
Where Else to Study Linguistics & Language Studies
Foreign-language teaching requirements for Linguistics & Language Studies programmes vary across Germany. Some run entirely in the national language; others offer English-medium delivery for international students.
Universities Compared with Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
International branch campuses are common among universities at Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena's tier. Peer institutions often operate in similar geographies, signalling comparable global ambition.
Studying in Germany: guides and resources
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