University of Giessen (Justus Liebig University Giessen)
Gießen, Germany
Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU)
Giessen, Germany
Founded
1607
Institution Type
Public Research University
Total Students
28,000+
Faculties
11
Discover Justus Liebig University Giessen: Over 400 Years of Academic Excellence
Discover Justus Liebig University Giessen: Over 400 Years of Academic Excellence
Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) is a large public research university located in Giessen, Hesse, Germany. Founded in 1607 by Landgrave Ludwig V of Hesse-Darmstadt as the Ludoviciana, it is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the German-speaking world and is named after its most famous faculty member, the chemist Justus von Liebig.
Today JLU offers a comprehensive range of more than 100 degree programmes across 11 faculties for over 28,000 students. The university is particularly renowned for its research in life sciences, including human and veterinary medicine, agricultural and nutritional sciences, biology and chemistry, as well as cultural studies and the humanities.
JLU has been continuously funded through the German Excellence Initiative and Excellence Strategy since 2006, supporting internationally visible research clusters. Notable figures associated with the university include Nobel Prize winners Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen and Wangari Maathai, reflecting a deep tradition of groundbreaking scholarship.
Key Milestones
- 1607: Founded as the Ludoviciana by Landgrave Ludwig V of Hesse-Darmstadt with a charter from Emperor Rudolf II.
- 1824: Justus von Liebig appointed as professor at age 21, launching a new era in the natural sciences at Giessen.
- 1924: Physician Georg Haas carried out the world's first human hemodialysis at the university.
- 2006: Began receiving continuous funding through the German Excellence Initiative for the Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary System and the International Graduate Centre for the Study of Culture.
Academic Structure: 11 Faculties Spanning Sciences, Humanities, and Medicine
Academic Structure: 11 Faculties Spanning Sciences, Humanities, and Medicine
JLU's 11 faculties provide extraordinary breadth and diversity in research and teaching, covering everything from classical natural sciences and law to a unique spectrum of life science subjects. The university offers over 100 degree programmes at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, with several international programmes taught in English.
Faculty of Law
The Faculty of Law provides comprehensive legal education grounded in German and European legal traditions, with strong emphasis on international and comparative law.
- Law (Staatsexamen)
- Comparative Law (LL.M.)
- German and International Criminal Law
Faculty of Economics and Business Studies
This faculty offers programmes in economics, business administration, and related fields, combining theoretical foundations with practical application and international perspectives.
- Business Administration (B.Sc.)
- Economics (B.Sc.)
- Economic Development (M.A.)
Faculty of Medicine
One of JLU's flagship faculties, Medicine offers clinical training and research with particular strength in cardio-pulmonary medicine, supported by the Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary System.
- Human Medicine (Staatsexamen)
- Dentistry (Staatsexamen)
- Biomedical Sciences (M.Sc.)
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
JLU is one of only five universities in Germany offering veterinary medicine, providing comprehensive training in animal health, food safety, and biomedical research.
- Veterinary Medicine (Staatsexamen)
- Animal Sciences
- Veterinary Public Health
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Nutritional Sciences and Environmental Management
This faculty covers agricultural sciences, nutritional sciences, environmental management, and food chemistry, offering a unique spectrum of life science subjects within Hesse.
- Agricultural Sciences (B.Sc.)
- Nutritional Sciences (B.Sc.)
- Sustainable Transition (M.Sc.)
Faculty of Biology and Chemistry
Building on the legacy of Justus von Liebig, this faculty excels in organic chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, and interdisciplinary life science research.
- Biology (B.Sc.)
- Chemistry (B.Sc.)
- Sustainable Chemistry (M.Sc.)
Admission Requirements for International Students
Admission Requirements for International Students
Undergraduate Admission
- School Leaving CertificateAbitur or recognized international equivalent (HZB)
- German LanguageDSH-2 or TestDaF 4x4 for German-taught programmes
- English LanguageIELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80+ for English-taught programmes
- Application PortalVia uni-assist for most international applicants
- Numerus ClaususSome programmes have restricted admission (NC); check individual requirements
Graduate Admission
- Bachelor's DegreeCompleted bachelor's degree in a relevant field (or equivalent)
- GPA RequirementVaries by programme; competitive selection based on grades
- Language ProficiencyGerman (DSH-2/TestDaF) or English (IELTS/TOEFL) depending on programme
- Application PortalVia uni-assist or directly through JLU, depending on programme
- Additional RequirementsSome programmes require relevant work experience, motivation letter, or entrance exam
Application deadline for most programmes starting in October. Some programmes may have earlier deadlines.
Application deadline for programmes with a summer semester start in April. Not all programmes accept summer intake.
English-taught master's programmes may have separate deadlines. Check individual programme pages for exact dates.
Doctoral candidates must secure a supervising professor. Applications are generally accepted on a rolling basis.
Tuition Fees and Semester Contributions at JLU Giessen
Tuition Fees and Semester Contributions at JLU Giessen
As a public university, JLU Giessen does not charge tuition fees for the vast majority of its programmes, including for international students. Students pay only a semester contribution that covers student services, the student body, and a Deutschlandticket for unlimited public transport across Germany.
| Fee Component | Standard (per semester) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deutschlandticket (Semester Ticket) | EUR 208.80 | Unlimited public transport across Germany |
| Studentenwerk Contribution | EUR 118.00 | Student services including cafeterias and counseling |
| Administrative Fee | EUR 50.00 | University administration costs |
| Student Body & Other Fees | EUR 25.63 | Includes student body, theater, bike rental, pool, cinema, insurance |
| Total | Approx. EUR 402 per semester | Same for all students (no tuition fees) |
DAAD Scholarships
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a range of scholarships for international students at all levels, covering living expenses and sometimes travel costs.
- Coverage: Monthly stipend plus health insurance and travel allowance
- Eligibility: International students with strong academic records
- Application: Apply through the DAAD portal; deadlines vary by programme
JLU Postdoctoral and Research Grants
JLU awards postgraduate scholarships and research grants annually under its Just'us Postdoctoral Program and internal funding lines, supporting early-career researchers.
- Coverage: Scholarship plus allowances for consumables and travel
- Eligibility: Outstanding doctoral and postdoctoral researchers
- Application: Nomination by JLU professors; two funding lines available
Campus and Facilities Across the University City
Campus and Facilities Across the University City
JLU Giessen does not have a single enclosed campus; instead, its buildings and facilities are grouped by subject area and distributed across several locations throughout the city. This integrated layout means the university and the city are deeply intertwined, giving students easy access to urban amenities alongside academic resources.
A historic landmark housing the agricultural departments and a branch of the university library.
Germany's oldest university botanical garden, established in 1609, featuring over 7,500 plant species.
The Seltersberg area brings together various natural and life science faculties in a modern research environment.
Housing and Dining
Student Housing
The Studentenwerk Giessen operates several student residence halls across the city. While the university does not guarantee housing, it assists international students in finding suitable accommodation.
- Multiple Studentenwerk residence halls available
- Private housing options in a student-friendly rental market
- International Office provides housing search support
Dining and Libraries
JLU offers several Mensa dining halls and cafeterias operated by the Studentenwerk, as well as an extensive library system with 3.7 million volumes and 1,700 reading spaces.
- Multiple Mensa locations with affordable student meals
- University library with 1.5 million e-books and 69,000 e-journals
- Branch libraries located close to each campus area
Student Life at JLU Giessen
Student Life at JLU Giessen
As one of the largest universities in Hesse, JLU provides a vibrant and diverse student experience. Giessen has the highest student-to-resident ratio of any university town in Germany, creating a uniquely youthful and dynamic atmosphere with affordable cafes, pubs, and cultural events.
Giessen: Germany's Most Student-Friendly City
Giessen: Germany's Most Student-Friendly City
Life in Giessen
Giessen is a compact university town in central Hesse with approximately 90,000 residents, of whom over a third are students. The city sits on the Lahn River and offers a lively cultural scene, affordable living costs, and excellent transport connections to Frankfurt am Main, which is less than an hour away by train.
Affordable Cost of Living
Living costs in Giessen range from EUR 850 to EUR 1,000 per month, significantly lower than larger German cities like Frankfurt or Munich.
Cultural Attractions
Highlights include the Mathematikum (the world's first interactive math museum), the Liebig Museum, the Stadttheater, and Germany's oldest university botanical garden from 1609.
Excellent Transport Links
Giessen is a railway junction with direct IC and ICE connections. Frankfurt Airport is reachable in under an hour by train, and the semester ticket covers all public transport in Germany.
Nature and Recreation
The Lahn River offers canoeing and paddleboarding, while surrounding medieval castles, forests, and the Lahn meadows provide ample opportunities for hiking, cycling, and relaxation.
Career Outcomes and Alumni Network
Career Outcomes and Alumni Network
Notable Alumni and Affiliated Figures
Practical Information for International Students
Practical Information for International Students
For International Students
The International Office provides ongoing support including help with visas, residence permits, insurance, and integration into campus life. Orientation sessions are specifically designed for incoming international students.
JLU offers free German language courses at various levels throughout the year. International students can also take a preparatory year of German before beginning their degree programme.
Most international applicants apply through uni-assist, a centralized service that evaluates international school certificates for equivalence to German qualifications before forwarding applications to JLU.
Key Contacts
- +90 5435286292
- +44 7868736984
- corporate@uni4edu.com
- info@uni4edu.com
Worldwide University Rankings
Worldwide University Rankings
Justus Liebig University Giessen is consistently ranked among the top universities globally and is recognized for its strong research output, particularly in life sciences, medicine, and agricultural sciences. The university appears in all major international ranking systems.
| Subject | Ranking Body | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Medicine | QS Subject Rankings | Top 150 globally |
| Agriculture and Forestry | QS Subject Rankings | Top 200 globally |
| Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems | US News Subject Rankings | Strong research citation impact |
| Life Sciences | Excellence Strategy Focus Area | Nationally leading research profile |
Features
As a comprehensive university, Justus Liebig University Giessen encompasses all fundamental scientific disciplines in the humanities, social sciences, and cultural studies, mathematics and the natural sciences, agricultural sciences, and veterinary and human medicine. It conducts internationally recognized cutting-edge research in several areas, which has been particularly evident since 2006 through its successes in the Excellence Initiative and Excellence Strategy. These successes are based on outstanding research achievements across the university, the successful development of its research profile in recent years, the targeted expansion of research infrastructure, and, in particular, systematic support services for young researchers.\n\n
Accommodation
Accommodation service is available.\n
Work While Studying
Students can work while studying.\n
Co-op/Internship Participation
There is an internship service.
Featured Programmes
Average Time To Receive Acceptance Letter
May - June
April - September
Location
Ludwigstraße 23, 35390
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