Paderborn University

501–600th
World University Rankings 2025
101-150th
Young University Rankings 2017
100 Warburger Street, 33098, North Rhine-Westphalia, 33098, Germany

More about Paderborn University

Paderborn University (UPB) is a young, dynamic, and modern research university with a diverse range of academic disciplines and an emphasis on interdisciplinary research, teaching, and knowledge transfer.

Paderborn University is a founding member of the German University Alliance (UA) 11+, which reinforces its role as one of the leading mid-sized universities in Germany. Our University conducts cutting-edge research with practical impact and contributes to finding innovative solutions for global challenges.

Paderborn University strategically focuses on the following key research areas:

  • Intelligent Technical Systems
  • Optoelectronics and Photonics
  • Sustainable Materials, Processes and Products
  • Digital Humanities
  • Transformation and Education

Founded as a public institution in 1972, Paderborn University is known for its collaborative and multidisciplinary academic environment. We hold strong ties with leading research institutions across the globe and the commercial partners of our network in the region and beyond.

At UPB, we excel at innovation and knowledge transfer. We foster large numbers of start-ups, founded by our students, graduates, and researchers. Our University continuously ranks as one of the top 20 German universities in this domain.

We recently built several state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities and our infrastructure is constantly expanding. Paderborn University has been selected as one of only 9 sites in Germany to host a National High Performance Computing Centre. Our new computing centre, which hosts the supercomputer Noctua, is located on UPB’s campus and was finished in 2021.

We provide research-led teaching in over 70 degree programmes. Among these programmes, several are taught entirely or partly in English, encompassing a wide range of academic disciplines:

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Business Administration and Economics
  • Natural Science
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics
  • Educational Research and Teacher Training

More than 15 % of our over 18,000 students are international, originating from over 100 different countries. They benefit from our academic offers, as well as our comprehensive support services. Our University provides an excellent student experience in a friendly and safe mid-sized town in the heart of Germany, where local companies offer graduates plenty of opportunities for internships and work.

Explore rankings data for Paderborn University

All ranked institutions have an overall score and 4 pillar scores. However for each pillar, only institutions ranked in the top 500 overall or the top 500 in this pillar have a publicly visible score

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Key statistics

  • 51.3
    No. of students per staff
    (1)
  • 13%
    Percentage of International Students
    (1)
  • 50 : 50
    Student Ratio of Females to Males
    (1)
  • 21%
    Proportion of ISR Publications
    (1)
  • 15,728
    Number of FTE Students
    (1)
Based on data collected for the (1) 2025 World University Rankings

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Find a course at Paderborn University

  • Arts & humanities

    • Languages, Literature & Linguistics
    • History, Philosophy & Theology
    • Art, Performing Arts & Design
  • Physical sciences

    • Physics & Astronomy
    • Mathematics & Statistics
    • Chemistry
  • Business & economics

    • Economics & Econometrics
    • Business & Management
    • Accounting & Finance
  • Psychology

    • Psychology
  • Life sciences

    • Sport Science
  • Computer science

    • Computer Science
  • Social sciences

    • Sociology
    • Communication & Media Studies
  • Engineering & technology

    • Electrical & Electronic Engineering
    • General Engineering
    • Chemical Engineering
    • Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
  • Education

    • Education
  • Clinical, pre-clinical & health

    • Other Health