Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
Bonn, Germany • Founded 1777 • World Rank #260
Updated May 2026
Overview
Founded in 1818, the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn (University of Bonn) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the medium city of Bonn (population range of 250,000-499,999 inhabitants), North Rhine-Westphalia.
Officially recognized by the Ministerium für Kultur und Wissenschaft des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen (Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia), Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn (Uni Bonn) is a large-sized coeducational German higher education institution. Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn (Uni Bonn) 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 205-year-old German higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.
Uni Bonn also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Mailing address, phone, email, and social channels for Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn are gathered below for quick reference. Most enquiries route through the admissions team unless noted otherwise.
Academic Details
These figures give a quick read on Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn's scale, staffing levels, and academic standing. Use them to ground decisions about programme fit and institutional capacity.
Academic Structures
Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn's teaching units laid out by faculty and school. Deep hierarchies (faculty to school to department) versus flat structures affect administrative complexity for students.
Unit 7 items
- Faculty of Agriculture
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Catholic Theology
- Faculty of Law and Economics
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Protestant Theology
Degrees
Also State Examination (Staatsexam) in Food Technology, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Law; Teacher Training Examination (Lehramt)
Bachelor's 72 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Agriculture
- American Studies
- Arabic
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Asian Studies
- Biology
- Botany
- Business Administration
- Catholic Theology
- Celtic Languages and Studies
- Chemistry
- Chinese
- Communication Studies
- Comparative Religion
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Consumer Studies
- Cultural Studies
- Earth Sciences
- East Asian Studies
- Economics
- Educational Sciences
- English
- English Studies
- Ethnology
- Food Science
- Food Technology
- French
- French Studies
- Geography (Human)
- German
- Germanic Studies
- Greek (Classical)
- Hindi
- History
- Home Economics
- Indonesian
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Latin
- Latin American Studies
- Law
- Literature
- Marketing
- Mass Communication
- Mathematics
- Media Studies
- Meteorology
- Mongolian
- Musicology
- Native Language Education
- Nutrition
- Persian
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Protestant Theology
- Psychology
- Religious Education
- Romance Languages
- Scandinavian Languages
- Social Sciences
- South Asian Studies
- Southeast Asian Studies
- Spanish
- Surveying and Mapping
- Tibetan
- Turkish
- Vietnamese
- Zoology
Master's 74 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Agricultural Economics
- Agriculture
- Agronomy
- American Studies
- Ancient Civilizations
- Animal Husbandry
- Anthropology
- Applied Linguistics
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Asian Studies
- Astrophysics
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Botany
- Catholic Theology
- Chemistry
- Comparative Literature
- Computer Science
- Consumer Studies
- Crop Production
- Earth Sciences
- Economics
- Education
- English
- English Studies
- Environmental Management
- Ethnology
- European Studies
- Food Science
- Food Technology
- French
- French Studies
- Geography
- German
- Germanic Studies
- Greek (Classical)
- History
- Home Economics
- Italian
- Landscape Architecture
- Latin
- Latin American Studies
- Law
- Literature
- Mathematics
- Media Studies
- Medicine
- Medieval Studies
- Mediterranean Studies
- Microbiology
- Modern History
- Molecular Biology
- Museum Studies
- Neurosciences
- Nutrition
- Pharmacology
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Prehistory
- Protective Services
- Protestant Theology
- Psychology
- Religion
- Romance Languages
- Scandinavian Languages
- Social Studies
- Spanish
- Surveying and Mapping
- Theology
- Tropical Agriculture
- Zoology
Doctoral 8 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Agriculture
- Arts and Humanities
- Catholic Theology
- Law
- Mathematics
- Medicine
- Natural Sciences
- Protestant Theology
Other 8 programs
- Agriculture
- Arts and Humanities
- Catholic Theology
- Law
- Mathematics
- Medicine
- Natural Sciences
- Protestant Theology
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Ministerium für Kultur und Wissenschaft des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen.
Development Research (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Development Studies
European Integration (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- European Studies
Teacher Training (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Bonner Ausbildungszentrum für Lehrerinnen und Lehrer
Agriculture (Faculty) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Agriculture
- Economics
- Food Science
- Food Technology
- Nutrition
- Surveying and Mapping
Common Career Paths
- Agricultural Scientist
- Agronomist
- Farm Manager
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Arts (Faculty) 15 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Classical Languages
- Comparative Religion
- Educational Sciences
- History
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Modern Languages
- Musicology
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Sports
Catholic Theology (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Catholic Theology
- Pastoral Studies
- Religious Studies
Common Career Paths
- Religious Educator
- Pastoral Counsellor
- Faith Community Leader
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law and Economics (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Economics
- Law
Common Career Paths
- Economist
- Policy Analyst
- Financial Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Mathematics and Natural Sciences (Faculty) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Geography
- Geology
- Meteorology
- Mineralogy
- Physics
Common Career Paths
- Data Analyst
- Statistician
- Actuary
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.
Protestant 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.
Old Catholic Theology Seminary (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- 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.
Discrete Mathematics (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Mathematics
Common Career Paths
- Data Analyst
- Statistician
- Actuary
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Late Classical Antiquity (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Franz Joseph Dölger
Programs Offered
Browse Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn's programmes by level, or filter by name to find a specific course. The grouping helps when you have a target qualification tier but want to compare specific programme content.
196 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Germany
Bachelor's Degree 83 programmes
Showing 10 of 83.
Master's Degree 113 programmes
Showing 10 of 113.
How to apply to Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
Practical steps to apply to Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, suitable as a starting checklist before contacting the admissions team directly.
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1
Browse the programme catalogue
Use the programme finder to browse Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn's 196 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 eligibility for your chosen programme
Programme-level requirements at Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn 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
Get your documents ready
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
Apply through the official channel
Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn processes applications through www.uni-bonn.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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Reach out and track your application
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 (228) 73 0. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
Frequently asked questions about Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, covering the institutional basics most prospective applicants want to confirm first.
How old is Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn?
The institution opened in 1777 (approximately 249 years ago).
What city is Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn in?
Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn operates from Bonn, Germany.
Is Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn a public or private institution?
It is a public higher-education institution.
How big is Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn's student body?
Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn serves approximately 25,000-29,999 students.
What is Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn's ranking?
Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn holds rank #260 globally and #8 in Germany.
What programmes are available at Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn?
Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
How many faculties does Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn have?
The institution comprises 7 academic units.
Is Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn officially recognised?
Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn is accredited by Ministerium für Kultur und Wissenschaft des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen.
Where can I learn more about Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn?
Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn's official website is www.uni-bonn.de.
Top-Ranked Universities in Germany
Time-trend in rankings matters: rising universities in Germany may overtake Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn or its peers over your study horizon. Year-on-year movement signals institutional momentum.
Members of European University Association (EUA)
Tuition reciprocity exists in some European University Association (EUA) networks, where members charge in-network rates for student exchanges. Worth checking specific bilateral terms within the broader membership.
Faculties at nearby universities
Beyond Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, the surrounding area hosts several universities with overlapping research strengths and faculty mixes. They are worth comparing if location flexibility matters to your decision and you want to keep options open within the same region.
Where Else to Study Education & Teaching
Beyond Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, several other universities in Germany deliver focused Education & Teaching programmes worth exploring before you commit to a single application. Programme depth and elective range vary significantly between institutions.
Universities Compared with Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
International branch campuses are common among universities at Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn's tier. Peer institutions often operate in similar geographies, signalling comparable global ambition.
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