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Study and research in Germany

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Study and research in Germany

Home « Study and research in Germany « University « University Ranking « What's so special about the CHE / DIE ZEIT university ranking?

What's so special about the CHE / DIE ZEIT university ranking?

The data were collected and analysed by the Centre for Higher Education Development (CHE); the German version of the ranking is published annually by the German weekly news magazine "DIE ZEIT", in a special edition and on its dedicated website.


By publishing the English version of the university ranking, the DAAD was able to close a long-standing gap in the information services for international students who were often left without details on quality aspects of Germany's universities. Moreover, and in contrast to the sweeping simplifications commonly found abroad, such as "the best university is XY", this ranking offers a differentiated, detailed picture which takes account of the wide range and diversity of university education and additionally s.t. international standards.


Three quality-based reasons differentiate this university ranking from others:

  • The most comprehensive ranking to date
    Since 1998, 290 German universities have been included in the university ranking, with more than 300,000 students and around 31,000 professors taking part in the surveys.
  • Detailed analysis rather than general ranking
    We deliberately chose not to add the results of the survey together into a sum total. Why? Because there simply is no "best university", neither in one subject and certainly not across all subjects. Instead, we offer a multidimensional ranking. Several tables each based on very different criteria produce a differentiated and detailed picture of the strengths and weaknesses of each university.
  • Groups not league positions
    You won't find individual universities given "league positions" in the CHE/DIE ZEIT ranking in the way that is found in other surveys; rather the universities are placed in the top, middle or bottom group. League positions can be dangerous because minimal differences produced by random fluctuations may be misinterpreted as real differences. By contrast, the ranking group approach ensures that the top and bottom group differ to a statistically significant degree from the overall mean value.


For detailed information on this, please go to the Section Info under Methodology.

General Information on Studying in Germany

You'll be able to find general information on studying and living in Germany, language tests and certificates, admission to German universities, sources of funding, international degree programmes instructed in English and much, much more in the DAAD information services for international students. Come and use our broad range of services!

FAQs and Contacts

If you have any questions regarding the university ranking, please take a look at the FAQs where we have placed our answers to the frequently asked questions we receive.

You will be able to find answers to general questions on studying in Germany in the DAAD's FAQs, from where you can also send us further questions.

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DAAD Glossary

Universität

"Universität" means university and is used for research universities (wissenschaftliche Hochschulen) that offer a broad range of subjects (like arts and humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, economics and business administration, law, medicine). These institutions confer doctorates. The strong research focus benefits students in their training. Please note, however, that English texts often use the term "university" generically, i.e. to cover all kinds of higher education institutions, for example, universities of the arts, universities of applied sciences, universities of education, etc.

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© 2009 Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst e.V. (DAAD), Kennedyallee 50, D-53175 Bonn
Source: http://www.daad.de/deutschland/hochschulen/hochschulranking/06544.en.html
Date: 2009-01-09