microphone

CHE Ranking

Annual survey on study conditions, teaching and research, and equipment of institutions of higher education in the German-speaking countries • Feedback from 150,000 students and 9,000 professors
microphone
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Information

CHE University Ranking: Master Survey starts on May 2024

In this year’s summer semester the master students of the following study programmes are being questioned:  

Bioinformatik (M.Sc.), Computational and Data Science (M.Sc.), Informatik (M.Sc.), Mathematik (M.Sc.), Wirtschaftsmathematik (M.Sc.), Physik M.Sc. and Photonics M.Sc.

The invitation is sent by the University of Jena. In order to further implement good processes or to improve the study conditions of your programme, we kindly invite you to take part in the CHE-survey. The survey will run until 31 July 2024.

CHE Ranking: Finding the right one in the vast range of study options

CHE Ranking
CHE Ranking
Image: CHE - Centrum für Hochschulentwicklung

CHE Ranking is designed for all those who would like to study, but do not know where, and for those students who think of a change to another institution of higher education. Encompassing over 13,400 study programmes and 39 subjects offered by more than 300 universities, universities of applied sciences, and colleges of cooperative education, the ranking can be a good guidance on study choice.

About the ranking

  • What is CHE Ranking?

    In addition to key indicators of studies, teaching and research, and equipment of particular institutions, the ranking also comprises evaluations of 150,000 students and 9,000 professors who give feedback on the study conditions at their institutions. CHE Ranking contains four core aspects:

    • It only relates to particular subjects. Except for subject-related observations, the survey does not provide any overall comparisons of different institutions following the assumption that there is no “best” institution of higher education. On the contrary, all institutions of higher education have their individual profiles with strengths and weaknesses in various subjects.
    • It is multidimensional meaning that no overall value can be deduced from given results by randomly weighting particular indicators within a subject. This is due to the fact that institutions of higher education also have specific strengths and weaknesses even within subjects, for example, specific range of courses offered, supervision, and equipment available. In other words, this would contradict any predetermined weighting of indicators.
    • It presents the institution of higher education from several points of view. Apart from the facts on the departments and study programmes, the survey also takes account of the feedback from professors and students.
    • Furthermore, it does not assign the institutions any specific position within the ranking, but classifies them into three groups according to their results. This should prevent any misinterpretations of minimal differences in terms of the statistical value as differences in performance and quality.
  • Who does carry out the evaluation?

    CHE Ranking is conducted by the institutions of higher education, whereas the data are evaluated by the non-profit organization Centre for Higher Education (CHE) gGmbHExternal link. Its partners are Bertelsmann Stiftung foundation and the German Rectors' Conference (Hochschulrektorenkonferenz, HRK).

    Learn moreExternal link
  • What is the methodology of the survey?

    CHE Ranking provides systematic information about study programmes, departments, institutions of higher education, and their locations. Study conditions and study options, as well as research data, are represented according to various criteria. Depending on the subject observed, the survey might include up to 34 indicators which are collected via specific surveys within departments and students.

    • Facts are being collected via written surveys in the departments and the central administrative units of institutions of higher education, by analysing publications and patent registrations as well as based on special data analysis provided by the Federal Statistical Office.
    • Students and professors give their feedback in written surveys, respectively. All in all, this results in a complex and comprehensive situation analysis of the given institutions of higher education.

    For more information on the methodology used, please refer to the methodology wiki (in German only) or contact the coordinators of the survey. 

    Learn moreExternal link
  • How can you participate in the survey?

    Our Student Service Centre sends you an invitation per e-mail, including a hyperlink and a password with which you may access the online survey. The password is generated randomly so that the actual participant cannot be traced. By receiving the invitation from the Student Service Centre, CHE is not able to access your e-mail address.

    The surveys for bachelor’s programmes and teacher training programmes usually take place in the winter semester, while the data on master's programme are being collected in the summer semester.

    There are questionnaires available in German and in English. Participation is based on a voluntary basis, participants’ data remain anonymous.

  • How and where does the organizer publish the results?

    The results of the ranking are published in Zeit Studienführer in May. In addition, the results of the survey on the master’s programmes are published in ZEIT Campus in autumn, All results are also available online, for example, those of the University of JenaExternal link (registration required).

    The institutions of higher education (i.e. their leaderships, dean’s offices, student representative committees) receive a summary of the survey results (for the institution and for departments) for further evaluation. The organizer does not publish raw data collected in the student survey. 

    Learn moreExternal link
  • How are my personal data treated?

    The organizers prepare and carry out the survey in accordance with the valid data protections regulations. The password is generated randomly so that the actual participant cannot be traced. Potential participants receive an invitation e-mail from the Student Service Centre of the University by e-mail. The University assures you that it will prevent your personal data from any illegal access by third parties. After the end of the data collection phase, any corresponding address-related data will be deleted.

     

    Centre for Higher Education does not publish any raw data collected in the student survey. The University receives a detailed evaluation report which may be accessed by the faculties and the departments, too. By comparing the results of CHE Ranking, we are able to assess the quality of our departments in comparison to other institutions of higher education.

  • Points of contact

    If you have further questions on CHE Ranking or on the data protection, please do not hesitate to contact:

    CHE Ranking Coordinator of the University

    Claudia Hüttner

    Division 1 – Student Affairs
    Fürstengraben 1
    07743 Jena
    Tel.  + 49 3641 9-3 11 41
    Fax: + 49 3641 9-3 11 42
    studienbefragung@uni-jena.de

     

    Data Protection Officer of the University

    Dr. Stefanie Buchmann

    Legal Office
    Fürstengraben 1
    07743 Jena
    Tel.  +49 3641 9-31087
    Fax. +49 3641 9-31082
    stefanie.buchmann@uni-jena.de

     

    Data Protection Officer of CHE

    Dr. Nina Horstmann

    CHE Centre for Higher Education
    Verler Straße 6
    33332 Gütersloh
    Tel.  + 49 5241 9761 44
    Fax: + 49 5241 9761 644
    nina.horstmann@che.de

Latest Rankings

  • 2024 rankings
  • 2023 rankings
  • 2022 rankings - Educational Science, English and American Studies, German as a Foreign Language–German as a Second Language, German Studies, Material Sciences, Psychology, and Romance Studies

    Best support for beginners

    Jena achieves good results in new CHE university ranking

    Published 3 May 2022, 09:00 | By: Axel Burchardt de

    Friedrich Schiller University Jena is one of the best universities in Germany at taking care of its new students. This is confirmed by the university ranking published today by the Centre for Higher Education Development (CHE). Jena University offers comprehensive guidance guidance and good information on starting your studies. 

    The assessment is based on evaluations by current students. For the new ranking, students in the 3rd to 8th semester were surveyed in the winter semester 2021/22 and asked to evaluate their degree programme, at the University of Jena the following subjects: German a  Foreign Language, Educational Science, German Studies, Romance Studies, Psychology and Material Sciences. For the first time, students were also asked about online teaching and learning.

    Good facilities and high commitment

    "The good ratings in the ranking reflect the university's investments in its digital transformation and the infrastructures required. The library scores just as well," says Prof. Dr. Kim Siebenhüner, Vice President for Studies and Teaching at the University of Jena. "And the commitment of our lecturers and the organization of the studies are also valued by the students. For all this reasons we are pleased with the rating results on the one hand. On the other hand we will not deminish to create great learning environments for our students include - as it's implemented in the university's Teaching 2025 strategy," says the vice president.

    Top subject: Material Sciences

    Among the newly ranked subjects, the subject Materials Sciences stands out in particular. This subject is provided by the Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Sciences and the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy as well. The subject is in the top group nationwide for all indicators, except for inticator "rooms", which receive only a mediocre evaluation by students. For the subject advisor Prof. Dr. Marek Sierka, the Material Sciences' outstanding performance is primarily based on their intensive communication with students. For several years Students of all semesters have been already invited to discussion rounds, in the beginning of the semester and again at the end of the semester, problems and deficiencies are discussed. "We try to solve them quickly and unbureaucratically," Sierka says. "In this way, we ensure that our students are satisfied and that high teaching quality is continuously guaranteed." The result in the ranking proves him right, the intensive support at the University of Jena is noticed by its students.

    The complete CHE university ranking is available now in the ZEIT Study Guide 2022/23 and digitally at ranking.zeit.deExternal link

    Why study in Jena? University Information Days

    The  University Information Day on May 14 de is a good opportunity to learn more about the University of Jena and its excellent study conditions and programs.Talking to our students can help you creating your own ranking for choosing the right place where to study.

    The CHE publication as well as the special evaluations are available for download here: Result reports de

     

  • 2021 rankings - Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences/Biogeosciences, Geography, Mathematics/Computer Science, Pharmacy, Physics, Political Science, and Sports Science

    Best conditions for Master Studies at the University of Jena

    Top grades for Master pogrammes in physics and mathematics

    Published: 29 November 2021, 14:00 | By: Axel Burchardt de

    Jena (29.11.21) According to the students, the physics master's programs at Friedrich Schiller University Jena are among the three best in all of Germany. This is shown by the current CHE ranking on selected master's programs, which can now be read on ZEIT Online. In addition to physics, Jena's mathematics department is also top-ranked.

    Physics: Top in terms of study situation, courses and scientific relevance

    This year, for the first time, a master's student survey was conducted for the subject of physics as part of the CHE ranking. It proves the excellent study conditions in Jena: The physics students of the Friedrich Schiller University are particularly satisfied with the "general study situation", the "teaching offer" and the "scientific relevance", where top positions are achieved in the ranking.

    "The result of the CHE survey, which is very gratifying for our faculty, indicates that we are on the right track," says the Dean of the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Prof. Dr. Christian Spielmann. However, despite the top result, "it is a mandate as well to strengthen our efforts," the dean expects the continued commitment of the teaching staff to achieve the excellent results in the future.

    Mathematics: international, great support and close to research

    The study organisation in mathematics is rated very good and achieved a top ranking for "publications per researcher". Mathematics master's students also give good marks for being able to complete their studies in a reasonable amount of time - at least 80 percent of students receive their university degree only one semester longer than the normal period of study.

    "The CHE ranking reflects the international, mentoring-strong and research-oriented focus of our mathematics master's programs," says the director of the Institute of Mathematics, Prof. Dr. Stefan Ankirchner, and adds: "Our mathematics graduates will be well trained in the fundamentals and theory of modern mathematics under very good conditions. Our students achieve new research results often already in the master's program, being published in specialized journals," says the mathematician, citing some of the reasons for the good performance in the ranking.

    Study programmes with master's degree are evaluated in various criteria in the current ranking.The evaluation of subjects provides along with facts on research and teaching a good orientation for choosing a place to study. Find out more: www.zeit.de/masterrankingExternal link

    Despite Corona, very good study conditions

    Study conditions at Friedrich Schiller University are rated as very good in the new CHE ranking.

    Published 4 May 2021, 09:00 | By: Ute SchönfelderExternal link

    The Friedrich Schiller University of Jena has achieved once again excellent results in the university ranking of the Center for Higher Education Development (CHE). The current study guide is published today (May 4) by CHE and ZEIT. As every year, students are surveyed about their study conditions at universities in Germany and its neighbouring countries.

    In the current ranking for 2021, students from third semester onwards gave ratings for the following subjects: Biology, Biochemistry, Biogeosciences, Bioinformatics, Chemistry, Geosciences, Geography, Computer Science, Mathematics, Pharmacy, Physics, Political Science, Sports Science and Business Mathematics.

    Successful start of studies, good organisation and equipment

    This year, the University of Jena achieved once again top rankings in the entire range of subjects evaluated.

    Students across all subjects appreciate the very good support at the beginning of their studies at the University of Jena. In Physics the general study situation and many other criteria are rated above average average: support during the studies and for studying abroad, the range of courses, the study organisation, the scientific relevance as well as various equipment features such as the equipment of the workstations.

    The organisation of studies is also commended by students of Geosciences, who are very satisfied with the excursions, and by students of mathematics, who rate the IT infrastructure very highly. The IT infrastructure and the equipment of the workstations is also mentioned postitivly by students of Computer Science. The teaching of scientific and methodological competencies is perceived very positively by the students of Chemistry.

    Corona crisis management

    In addition to evaluating the study programmes, students were asked about how their universities and departments were dealing with the Corona situation, such as information management, study organisation and digital teaching. Of the students surveyed at the University of Jena, two-thirds said that information management in their degree programs had been very good so far. The crisis management of the departments was particularly praised. The opportunities for taking exams and enabling students to continue their studies as planned were rated positively. Here, many departments and divisions across the university have cooperated and developed good measures that guarantee good study conditions even in this stressful situation.

    "We are pleased that the IT infrastructure and crisis management were positively evaluated. However, satisfaction with digital studies in the pandemic also depends very much on the teacher as we know we know from nationwide studies. The fact that our students feel well supported despite the ongoing Corona pandemic, and that they manage their studies very well even in largely digital form, testifies to the great commitment of our teachers," emphasizes Prof. Dr. Kim Siebenhüner, Vice President for Studies and Teaching at the University of Jena.

    Nevertheless, the current survey also reflects the downside of the pandemic. For example, students from subjects with a high proportion of practical work and with study periods abroad integrated into their studies regretted the pandemic-related restrictions. Almost all of those surveyed said that they lacked personal contact with fellow students and teachers.

    Digital University Information Days from May 17 to 31

    Interested parties can get an impression of the extensive range of courses offered by the University of Jena for themselves during the digital university information days. From May 17 to 31, the Friedrich Schiller University will present its diverse range of degree programs in a varied and individually compilable program, offering online lectures from the institutes, question and answer sessions with students and advisors from the subjects themselves, as well as information events from the Central Student Advisory Service, the Student Union of Thuringia and other partners of the university. Read more: www.uni-jena.de/infotage

    CHE special evaluation on studying during the Corona pandemic.

    As part of the student survey for the CHE Ranking 2021, students were asked additional questions this year about studying during the Corona pandemic and about digital teaching. Students' responses to these questions are not included in the CHE University Ranking, but were collected by CHE for a separate publication. The students' responses were evaluated in aggregated form across all universities.

    For departments where at least 15 students gave answers to the Corona question blocks, CHE has prepared a special evaluation of the results. The special evaluations can be used for internal evaluations.

    The CHE publication as well as the special evaluations are available for download here: Result reports de

     

  • 2020 rankings - Business and Economics, and Law

    Published: 5 May 2020, 09:00 | By: Axel BurchardtExternal link

    At the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, you can study well and receive the best support from the beginning of your studies. This succinct conclusion can be drawn from the ranking of the Center for Higher Education Development (CHE) published today (5.5.). Newly ranked this year at the university were law and economics with business informatics, which received consistently good marks from students.

    Excellent support at the beginning

    "All subject groups were rated particularly well by students for the support they receive at the beginning of their studies," emphasizes Prof. Dr. Iris Winkler. The Vice President for Studies and Teaching adds: "The teachers and the entire university can be proud of this, as it shows the continuous improvement and further development of the teaching situation". She attributes the praise of the students in the ranking, that the teachers respond particularly well to suggestions for improvement and questions about teaching, among other things, to the close cooperation between students and teachers in the design of teaching. And "the fact that the supply of subject-specific software is particularly good at our university, according to the students, is significant not only for the current digital summer semester," says Prof. Winkler.

    Excellent organisation of the study programs

    "The Faculty of Business and Economics once again knows how to convince with its excellent organisation of the study programs and the good studyability of the programs," says the Dean of Studies Prof. Dr. Armin Scholl from the Faculty of Business and Economics. "Students receive the best possible support right from the start and are given comprehensive assistance at every stage of their studies, enabling them to obtain their degrees in a reasonable time. In addition, the ranking particularly emphasizes that the faculty is in the top group of all evaluated universities in terms of young academics and publications in the field of business administration," adds Dean Prof. Dr. Silke Übelmesser.

    Law: interdisciplinary and international

    The Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Dr. Walter Pauly, is also pleased with the students' positive assessment of the organization of studies, support and IT equipment. "The students particularly appreciate the very good supervision ratio, our teaching with its interdisciplinary features, the support for studying abroad, the access to subject-specific software and much more. This shows that we are on the right track. This benefits the university and Jena as a place to study," says Pauly.

    The current CHE ranking re-evaluates the subject groups of Law/Legal Studies, Economics and Business Informatics at the University of Jena. It is published today in the ZEIT study guide 2020/2021 and on the Internet at: www.zeit.de/che-ranking.

    Who wants to make its own impression of the outstanding study offer of the Friedrich Schiller University, has the opportunity on Saturday (9.5.). The University Information Day will take place digitally from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - visit: www.uni-jena.de/infotag de.

    Contact:
    Prof. Dr Iris Winkler
    Vice-President for Learning and Teaching at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena
    Fürstengraben 1
    07743 Jena
    Tel.: +49 3641 9-31020
    Email: vplehre@uni-jena.de

  • 2019 rankings – Educational Science, English and American Studies, German as a Foreign Language–German as a Second Language, German Studies, Material Sciences, Psychology, and Romance Studies

    Best first semester support and good study conditions for all

    The Friedrich Schiller University Jena is again one of the best universities in the new CHE rankings

    PublishedExternal link: 7 May 2019, 09:00 | ByExternal link Axel BurchardtExternal link

    As a university covering all disciplines with over 200 study options, the Friedrich Schiller University Jena is highly committed and high-performing not only in research, but also in teaching. This is reflected in the new rankings from the Centre for Higher Education (CHE) and the weekly newspaper External linkDIE ZEIT, which were published today. The students rated the University as excellent in all of the subjects tested and particularly praised the international orientation of studies, support at the beginning of studies, and academic feasibility. The overall situation at Thuringia’s largest university is therefore excellent. The detailed rankings show the individual strengths of the subjects.

    Top ranking placements

    ‘The Friedrich Schiller University Jena has achieved a top ranking in the entire range of subjects evaluated. This shows that our efforts to create good study conditions have been successful,’ emphasizes Vice-President for Learning and Teaching Prof. Dr Iris Winkler. ‘My special thanks go to the colleagues in the subjects whose commitment makes the Friedrich Schiller University Jena an attractive place to study,’ she adds, well aware of the effort behind this result.

    Students enrolled in the 3rd to 8th semester of study in the following bachelor’s programmes were surveyed for the current ranking: Educational Science, English and American Studies, German as a Foreign Language-German as a Second Language, German Studies, Material Sciences, Psychology, and Romance Studies. In addition to facts about studies, teaching and research, the rankings include students’ assessments of the study conditions at their institution of higher education.

  • 2018 rankings – Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences/Biogeosciences, Geography, Mathematics/Computer Science, Pharmacy, Physics, Political Science, and Sports Science

    Students give the University a very good rating

    The Friedrich Schiller University Jena in the best position in the new CHE ranking

    Press release from 8 May 2018External link

    Every year, students are asked for their opinion on their institution of higher education. In the current rankings, published today (8 May) in the study guide by the Centre for Higher Education (CHE) together with the newspaper DIE ZEIT, the Friedrich Schiller University Jena once again performs excellently.

    For the new rankings, the subject groups Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Pharmacy, Biogeosciences and Earth Sciences, Geography, Sports/Sports Science, Political Science, Biology/Biological Sciences, and Chemistry were once again evaluated. And Jena students gave their university good grades in all subjects. Biology, Computer Science, and Sports Science, for example, are among the top-rated subjects in the category ‘support at the beginning of studies’. Sports Science and Pharmacy are in the top group in the category ‘academic publications’. Biology and Chemistry students are very satisfied with how specialist skills are taught. The latter also appreciate how studies are organized. Chemistry, Mathematics, Pharmacy, Physics, and Political Science are in the top group in the category ‘degrees within a reasonable period of time’. In addition to that, Physics students are very satisfied with the support they receive during their studies, the range of courses offered, and the practical laboratory courses. Political Science students particularly appreciate the general study situation and the scientific orientation. Researchers in Geography, Earth Sciences, and Biogeosciences are in the top group for ‘research funds per researcher’ due to the high level of third-party funding. Furthermore, Earth Sciences and Biogeosciences students are notably very satisfied with excursions. Computer Science students appreciate the scientific orientation at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena with its research-orientated teaching. Moreover, Mathematics students positively highlight the general study situation and the support from their teaching staff.

    "The feedback from our students confirms the high quality of teaching at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena," says Prof. Dr Iris Winkler. The Vice-President for Learning and Teaching at the University is pleased with the ranking results and assures that ‘we will not cease in our efforts to continuously develop teaching in close contact with the students.

    As much student participation as possible

    As many master students as possible should take part in the special survey by the CHE from 22 May to ensure that the high quality of the Mathematics and Computer Science master’s programmes is reflected in the ranking results.

    Anyone wishing to gain their own impression of the outstanding range of programmes offered at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena will have an extensive opportunity to do so on 26 May 2018. The University Information Day will take place on that Saturday from 9:30 to 14:00, where the more than 200 study options available at the University will be presented. For more information, see University Information Day.External link

    Further information on the current rankings: https://ranking.zeit.de/che/en/External link.

    Contact:
    Prof. Dr Iris Winkler
    Vice-President for Learning and Teaching at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena
    Fürstengraben 1
    07743 Jena
    Tel.: +49 3641 9-31020
    Email: vplehre@uni-jena.de

    Published: 8 May 2018 9:00

  • 2017 rankings – Business and Economics, and Law

    A very good place for students of Law, and Business and Economics

    The Friedrich Schiller University again reaches top positions in current ZEIT/CHE rankings

    Press release from 9 May 2017External link

    Law students and Business and Economics students at Friedrich Schiller University Jena feel they are in good hands during their studies. This is proven by the current university rankings from the Centre for Higher Education (CHE), in which the prospective jurists and economists once again gave their university and lecturers excellent grades. The ZEIT/CHE rankings evaluate more than 300 universities and universities of applied sciences. Every year, one third of the subjects are reassessed; in the 2017 rankings, this included the subject groups Law, Business and Economics, and Business Information Systems.

    Support from the beginning of the study programme

    As the rankings in the 2017/18 ZEIT Study Guide published today (9 May) show, the study programme Law is among the top law programmes at institutions of higher education in German-speaking countries in the categories ‘support from teaching staff’, ‘doctorates’ and ‘support at the beginning of studies’.

    The students find the social climate between students and teaching staff, support in preparing seminar talks and papers to be written at home, as well as the opportunity to talk about written examinations and presentations, to be especially positive aspects in the category ‘support from teaching staff’. In the category ‘support at the beginning of studies’, they particularly appreciate the mentoring system. The Friedrich Schiller University’s Law students also give very good marks for the range of courses offered and the overall study conditions.

    The Faculty of Law at Jena has once again proven its above-average position’, says Prof. Dr Walter Pauly, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. ‘In particular, our international orientation as well as the academic nature of our studies received outstanding grades.’

    Good support and examination organization

    Students in the Business and Economics bachelor’s programme at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena are very satisfied with their general study situation. The study programme is therefore in the top group in the nationwide comparison. In addition to the good and diverse range of courses offered, students gave very good marks for the academic feasibility, which allows them to obtain a degree in a reasonable period of time, the very good student support, the well-thought-out examination organization, the good support with regard to stays abroad, the state and equipment of rooms, and the IT infrastructure. In terms of the study programme’s international orientation and the international visibility of the professors, the study programme Business and Economics is also one of the country’s top performers. The same good conditions apply to students in Business Information Systems, as students in the bachelor’s programme Business and Economics can specialize on this subject. Due to the small number of students, the results of the separate survey are not conclusive.

    We are pleased with the excellent results achieved once again in our Business and Economics bachelor’s programme. This is a nice recognition of the enormous efforts we have made to improve study conditions in recent years’, emphasizes Prof. Dr Bernd Hüfner, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena.

    Contact:
    Prof. Dr Walter Pauly
    Dean of the Faculty of Law at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena
    Carl-Zeiß-Str. 3, 07743 Jena
    Tel.: +49 3641 9-42000
    Email: dekanat@recht.uni-jena.de 

    Prof. Dr Bernd Hüfner
    Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena
    Carl-Zeiß-Str. 3, 07743 Jena
    Tel.: +49 3641 9-43000
    Email: dekanat@wiwi.uni-jena.de

    Published: 9 May 2017 10:15

  • 2016 rankings – Biology, Chemistry, Educational Science, English and American Studies, German Studies, Material Sciences, Psychology, and Romance Studies

    Press release from 2. May 2016 External link

    Very satisfied with the study situation in Jena

    New university rankings by DIE ZEIT and CHE confirm high quality of teaching at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena

    ‘Students are very satisfied with the overall study situation.’ This is the conclusion reached by the newspaper DIE ZEIT and CHE (Centre for Higher Education) regarding the results of the latest joint university rankings for the Friedrich Schiller University Jena.

    The University has done well in all eight subjects in which it was evaluated in the new edition of the rankings, which will be published tomorrow (3 May) in the 2016/17 ZEIT Study Guide. ‘Students are satisfied with the teaching at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena across the board; in the humanities and social sciences as well as in the natural sciences,’ says Prof. Dr Iris Winkler, Vice-President for Learning and Teaching, happily. This also proves that the University has been rewarded for its intensive efforts to further improve the quality of teaching, especially in the MINT area (Mathematics, Computer Science, Natural Sciences, and Technologies). The excellent results in Chemistry, for example, are due in part to the sustained efforts to continuously develop the course of study in conjunction with evaluation. Dean of Chemistry Prof. Dr Ulrich S. Schubert also points out that ‘the renewed practical laboratory courses and the many new appointments have had a really positive effect. Schubert summarizes that by ‘studying Chemistry in Jena’, students benefit from a ‘perfect combination of top laboratory equipment with very motivated teaching staff in the centre of a highly attractive city.’

    The continuous developments in teaching are also reflected in the humanities, social sciences, and medicine. ‘I see these pleasing results as acknowledgement of our efforts to clearly structure our studies and provide students with intensive support when they prepare for their examinations,’ says the Director of the Institute of German Literature, Prof. Dr Gregor Streim. Prof. Dr Volker Gast, Director of the Institute of English and American Studies, shares a similar perspective: ‘Research proximity, interdisciplinarity, and project-orientated work are a lived reality at our Institute and quality control is carried out consistently.’ Therefore, the ranking results are ‘an incentive to further develop our approach to modern, demanding, and motivating teaching’.

    ‘Degree within a reasonable period of time’

    The fact that all subjects in Jena are able to score points in the category ‘degree within a reasonable period of time’ proves that the Friedrich Schiller University Jena has succeeded in combining contents, requirements, and study organization in such a way that ‘the study programmes are well feasible’, says Prof. Winkler.
    Overall, the Vice-President emphasizes that the good results in the rankings, which reflect the students’ assessment, were pleasing, because at the Friedrich Schiller University ‘internal quality control in studies is on the agenda every day and is used for further developing studies’ says Winkler.


    According to the teaching expert, the conclusion from the current university rankings can be summarized in one sentence: ‘The Friedrich Schiller University Jena is a good place to study.’ Those who want to see that for themselves can do so, for example, at the next University Information Day, which will take place on 21 May 2016 from 9:30 to 14:00 at the university campus; for more information, see University Information DayExternal link.

    The current rankings

    The university rankings by DIE ZEIT and CHE will be published in the new 2016/17 ZEIT Study Guide, which will be available in stores for EUR 7.95 from 3 May, or at: www.zeit.de/studienfuehrerExternal link. CHE and DIE ZEIT emphasize that the rankings are the most comprehensive and detailed rankings for institutions of higher education in the German-speaking world. In addition to facts about studies, teaching, and research, they include students’ assessments of the study conditions at their institution of higher education. The results, which can be individually adjusted depending on the weighting of the criteria, are now available at: https://ranking.zeit.de/che/en/hochschule?id=168External link.

    This year, the rankings will include new results for the following subjects offered at the University, among others: Biology, Chemistry, Educational Science, English and American Studies, German Studies, Material Sciences, Psychology, and Romance Studies.

    Contact:
    Prof. Dr Iris Winkler
    Vice-President for Learning and Teaching at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena
    Fürstengraben 1
    07743 Jena
    Tel.: +49 3641 9-31020
    Email: vplehre@uni-jena.de


    Published: 2 May 2016 16:01