In focus

What are the distinctive features of studying at Saarland University?

Ever since it was founded, Saarland University has viewed its location on the German-French border as one of its distinguishing characteristics. Students can, for instance, acquire the Europaicum – a certificate, unique in Germany, that demonstrates special interest and expertise in European affairs. Students of all subjects can also spend part of their degree programme studying at one of our international partner universities in order to gain a double-degree. The variety of subjects and courses offered enables students to plan their university studies effectively to meet their specific academic and career requirements.

What are Saarland University's particular strengths?

Informatics, nanotechnology, biosciences and Europe are the key disciplines that are shaping the university's profile. The outstanding reputation of the Department of Informatics was underscored in the national academic excellence initiative and the numerous externally funded research projects across all fields of academic study emphasize the quality of the academic work being carried out at Saarland University.

Saarland University is recognized as an internationally oriented institution. What can we learn from our highly respected partner universities abroad?

Students are at the heart of all the university's teaching activities. At Saarland University, as at our international partner universities, great importance is attached to the personal supervision of students by members of the university's academic staff. That is a significant difference to what students typically experience at a mass-education university. And we also run a mentoring programme in which experienced students provide support and guidance to first-year students to help ease the transition to university.

What is so special about a campus university?

A campus university where everything is close at hand makes it easier for students to keep in contact with each other and with academic staff. Studying with friends in a welcoming environment that offers excellent services to students are other positive aspects of studying at Saarland University.