Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

The historic cities of Erlangen and Nuremberg are located at the very heart of Europe. Germany 's capital city, Berlin, lies just 450 km to the north of the region, and Munich and Frankfurt are both approximately 200 km away, due south and due west respectively.

In just a few hours you can be in the Alps, which reach from southern Germany down into Austria, Switzerland and Italy. Not least important, the Nuremberg-Erlangen region is a gateway to Eastern Europe with Prague, Nuremberg's traditional trading partner since the Middle Ages, a mere 330 km away.

The University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, the second largest university in Bavaria, exerts on the region an influence which extends well beyond its geographical boundaries. Erlangen University Hospital is essential to the provision of region-wide medical care. The culture and economy of the region profit greatly from the university, which, in its turn, welcomes the stimulation and challenges offered by its partners in local business, politics and culture.

The range of subjects on offer at the university is one of the most comprehensive in Germany. Interdisciplinary networking, combined with intensive and flexible co-operation between the departments enhances the spectrum of opportunity for study which is all but unique in its breadth. The range on offer is influenced ever more greatly by the demand for courses taught in English.

Currently 24 000 students have chosen to study at the twin-site University of Erlangen and Nuremberg. Of these, 17 500 study at one or other of the nine faculties in Erlangen, and 6 500 students are catered for by the two faculties in Nuremberg. The University of Erlangen-Nuremberg has a research-intensive focus. This focus promotes the continuous development of new professional profiles, degree programmes and areas of expertise which, in turn, lead to innovative working practices.

Over 500 professors and around 1 700 teaching staff work in the 268 chairs or in the centres for research and expertise at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. Academic staff are dedicated to innovative research, to the dissemination of newly-acquired knowledge, and to teaching the art of academic enquiry. The latest subjects of academic interest provide the focus of study for eight Collaborative Research Centres, three Research Units, and eight Research Training Groups, all funded by the DFG (German Research Foundation).

Theoretical and practical research complement and enhance each other perfectly. In this partnership the research institutions of the university work in co-operation with industry, for example, on establishing a 'Medical Valley' in the Central-Franconia area, and on developing new materials, mechatronics, and communication and information technologies. The knowledge and technology transfer group facilitates co-operation between university and industry.

As the second largest employer in Erlangen , the university has almost 12 000 employees in the fields of research and teaching, administration and the provision of medical care. By far the largest employee group, numbering over 5 300 in total, is constituted by the staff of the 21 clinics of the Erlangen University Hospital. A combination of expertise, team spirit and commitment keeps the highly complex workings of the university running smoothly.

Several of the faculties at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg have their own alumni associations. These associations ensure continuing close contact between the university and former students, and facilitate networking and the sharing of experience across different graduation year groups. The university Alumni Network also actively encourages and organises contact with graduates of other departments.