University of Marburg

The University of Marburg is the oldest higher education institution in the world to be founded as a Protestant University, although the university no longer has a religious affiliation.

The university is known for its excellent life sciences teaching, and has one of Germany’s most well-established medical faculties. Prior to the Second World War, the University of Marburg was best known for humanities, particularly philosophy. A number of famous thinkers attended as students or teachers. The most famous Marburg philosopher is Martin Heidegger, who worked as a professor at Marburg during the 1920s, before publishing his master work Being and Time.

There are numerous specialist research centres at the University of Marburg. For example, the Centre for Gender Studies and Feminist Futurology offers lectures exploring topics such as motherhood, queer identity and feminism in other cultures.

Students can take part in an exchange with one of Marburg’s many partner universities in Europe and around the globe.

The university has facilities throughout the town of Marburg; the town and university share a closely integrated relationship. A local saying goes “Other towns have a university, Marburg is a university”. Marburg is known for its many examples of well-preserved gothic architecture dating back to the 1600s, such as the castle on the hill overlooking the town. It is situated in the Hessen region, not far from the major city of Frankfurt.