Study and research in Germany

Research in Germany

Bringing Research to Life

Photo: Forschungszentrum JülichA highly-developed university and research landscape plus innovative companies shape the scientific-research system in Germany. The high quality of academic training "Made in Germany" is recognised worldwide. More than 100 research universities train 70% of the students in Germany. With more than 250,000 scientists and investigators working here, Germany is the world's third-largest "country of researchers".

The strengths of German research traditionally lie in mechanical engineering, chemistry, medicine, physics and mathematics. Some disciplines of the humanities also play an outstanding role. German scientists and research institutes are world leaders in biomedicine and medical engineering, in environmental research and automotive engineering, and in engineering, in general. But German scientists and researchers also play their part in the world's top groups in the future fields of optical technologies, microsystems engineering, neurosciences, biotechnology and process engineering. In 2003, more than 13,000 German inventions were patented throughout Europe, meaning that almost one quarter of all European patents are based on developments made by German scientists. And Germany actually comes 1st in the field of nanotechnology,.

So, research in Germany is particularly attractive for international academics and scientists: guests from many countries carry out research at Germany's universities and scientific institutes. Alone 20,000 foreign researchers are supported by German funding organisations, while a large number of scientists additionally finance their stays in Germany by other means.

Read more about research in Germany on the following pages:

• Africa Sub-Sahara
• Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Oceania
• Central and Eastern Europe
• Latin America
• North America
• Northern Africa and the Middle East
• Western Europe