Paderborn University

Paderborn University is one of the mid-sized universities in Germany with a strong focus on research and transfer. Our five faculties - Arts and Humanities, Business Administration and Economics, Mechanical Engineering, Natural Sciences, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics - offer 70 study programmes. In addition, there are about 166 subject combinations in the field of teacher training.

Within our key research areas, Paderborn University has made a name for itself with internationally recognised excellence in research. While always keeping society's needs in mind, scientists at Paderborn University are working on the technologies of the future. Research at Paderborn University is characterised by the development of sustainable solutions for the pressing challenges of our time. Cooperations with other universities, companies, and research associations - nationally and internationally - contribute to our University's excellent networks and infrastructure.

Ap­ply now!

Find a suit­able de­gree pro­gramme

We offer numerous Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes with various subject combinations. Discover our attractive range of degree programmes and find the right option for your future. Curious?

Explore our degree programmes now

15946
students
Date: May 2026
69.5 MM €
in third-party funding
Date: December 2025
350 +
Spin-offs
Date: March 2026

News

15.10.2026

Prof. Dr René Fahr is the new Chair­man of the Su­per­vis­ory Board of PROvendis GmbH

Read more
12.10.2026

A sports sci­ent­ist from Pader­born is the deputy chair of the Sci­entif­ic Ad­vis­ory Board of the Fed­er­al In­sti­tute for Sports Sci­ence

Read more
08.10.2026

Con­tem­por­ary Ger­man Lit­er­at­ure: Renowned au­thors vis­it­ing Pader­born Uni­ver­sity

Read more
06.10.2026

Ma­gic­al Math­em­at­ics: Re­search­ers at Pader­born Uni­ver­sity lead a pro­ject on pu­pils’ mo­tiv­a­tion to learn

Read more
05.10.2026

NeMo aims to make autonom­ous mo­bil­ity a real­ity

Read more
05.10.2026

De­vel­op­ing new per­spect­ives to­geth­er: On­line series sup­ports stu­dents in OWL

Read more
05.10.2026

THE Rank­ing 2027: Pader­born Uni­ver­sity among the top 650 uni­ver­sit­ies

Read more
02.10.2026

New for the 2026/27 winter semester: Pub­lic lec­ture pro­gramme at Pader­born Uni­ver­sity

Read more
01.10.2026

Quantum com­mu­nic­a­tion: New meth­od gen­er­ates photons that are vir­tu­ally in­dis­tin­guish­able

Read more
24.09.2026

Pader­born Uni­ver­sity rep­res­en­ted in the 2026 Shang­hai Sub­ject Rank­ings with three sub­jects

Read more
24.09.2026

Pader­born Uni­ver­sity ap­points Dr. Chris­ti­an Heday­at as an hon­or­ary pro­fess­or

Read more
23.09.2026

Bridges in­stead of bor­ders: Pader­born Uni­ver­sity launches new ‘Be­ne­lux Stud­ies’ centre

Read more
More news

Events

20.10.2026

Lec­ture series ‘VER:ACHT­SAMKEIT. Geo­pol­it­ics of Pop Cul­tures’: ‘Demo­cracy – Prom­ise and Pre­text’

Read more
20.10.2026

Bat­ter­ies to re­duce CO₂ emis­sions: Fe­male sci­ent­ists present their re­search find­ings at the town hall

Read more
20.10.2026

Screen­ing of *À bout de souffle* at the Licht­blick art­house cinema

Read more
21.10.2026 - 22.10.2026

Herb­st­fer­i­en sin­nvoll nutzen: Uni­versität Pader­born bi­etet Work­shop zur Stud­i­en­wahlori­entier­ung für Schüler­*innen an

Read more
21.10.2026 - 21.10.2026

Lec­ture series ‘Cul­tur­al Per­spect­ives on Lit­er­at­ure’: ‘The Por­tray­al(s) of Mad­ness in Lit­er­at­ure and Cul­ture’

Read more
21.10.2026 - 21.10.2026

Lec­ture series ‘Beeth­oven – work in pro­gress…’: Sam­meln im Beeth­oven-Haus

Read more
More events

Study pro­grammes, Teach­ing and PAUL

The range of courses offered at Paderborn University is very diverse. With study programmes that are, to date, unique in Germany, we provide offers that are just as exceptional as our students. Many study programmes also have international profiles – which means that our graduates make a good impression all over the world.

Teaching at Paderborn University is defined by quality – as well as by the dedication and motivation of our academics.

Our campus management system “PAUL” guides you through your studies and teaching.

A scientist sits behind an experimental apparatus that is out of focus in the foreground and follows the course of the experiment.

Re­search

Fundamental, application-oriented, interdisciplinary and internationally oriented: research at Paderborn University is a team effort dedicated to the great questions of the future. We are building sustainable values and innovations, making them accessible to society, business, and industry.

Learn more
Two interlocked gears are held by one hand, a third gear engages from the right. In the background, a very blurred part of the lettering attached to Building O of Paderborn University "... best way to predict THE FUTURE" is visible in the background.

Trans­fer

At Paderborn University, researchers and students work together in numerous collaborations with partners in business, society, politics, and culture. We create space for open discourse and pave the way for innovative ideas. Our University has one of the highest spin-off rates in the state of North-Rhine Westphalia.

Learn more
A rotating globe is placed on the floor of the spacious entrance area of Paderborn University. In the background, a part of Building I can be seen out of focus.

In­ter­na­tion­al

A strong network around the globe: we want to tackle societal challenges in cooperation with international partners. In order to advance our internationalisation, we at Paderborn University make an effort to focus on global orientation and create a campus that provides space for intercultural encounters.

Learn more

Key top­ics in re­search

Quantum Research

Quantum Re­search

For many years, the study of the smallest particles of light has been one of the key research areas of Paderborn University. Recognized experts conduct excellent fundamental research in order to shape the future through concrete applications. Thus, they are decisively advancing quantum research in Germany and beyond.

Learn more
Artificial Intelligence

Ar­ti­fi­cial In­tel­li­gence

Artificial intelligence has long been a part of our lives. At Paderborn University, academics from various disciplines are researching the fundamentals and effects of AI in order to make human-machine interaction both useful and transparent for society.

Learn more

High Per­form­ance Com­put­ing

The "Noctua 2" and "Otus" supercomputer are the hearts of Paderborn University's high-performance computing centre. Our scientists use high-performance computing to set international standards in computer systems research. Researchers throughout Germany benefit from the computing capacities to conduct science at the highest level.

Learn more

Work­ing at Pader­born Uni­ver­sity

Paderborn University employs around 2,600 people from over 20 different nationalities in a lively working environment. We offer exciting employment opportunities, support for your personal development, and an inclusive working culture. Become part of a dynamic, international team!

 

Cer­ti­fic­ates

Audit Family-Friendly University

In 2005, Paderborn University underwent the audit family-friendly university and was awarded a certificate as the first university in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The certificate was confirmed with distinction in June 2025 in recognition of the university's long-standing commitment.

Learn more

HR Excellence in Research

In February 2025, Paderborn University was honoured with the ‘HR Excellence in Research Award’. With this award, the European Commission recognises universities and research institutions that systematically work to improve the working conditions of their researchers.

Learn more

DHV seal of approval for fair and transparent appointment negotiations

Paderborn University was awarded the DHV seal of approval for fair and transparent appointment negotiations by the German Association of University Professors and Lecturers (DHV) on 1 June 2024.

Learn more

HRK-Audit Internationalisation of Universities

Paderborn University has successfully completed the HRK-Audit Internationalisation of Universities on 27 November 2023.

Learn more

Charter for the Reconciliation of Career and Care

In April 2023, Paderborn University signed the Charter for reconciliation of career and care.

Learn more

Audit Diversity-Friendly University

On 15 March 2023, berufundfamilie’s board of trustees awarded Paderborn University with the audit certificate.

Learn more

Diversity Charter & Association

In October 2011, Paderborn University signed the Diversity Charter.

Learn more

TOTAL E-QUALITY

Paderborn University received the TOTAL E-QUALITY award for its equal opportunities-oriented personnel policy for the first time in 2009.

Learn more
[Translate to English:] Logo Zertifikat „audit familiengerechte hochschule“
HRK-Audit
Charter on Reconciliation of Work and Care
Logo "audit vielfaltgerechte hochschule" certificate
Logo of the "Charter of Diversity" voluntary commitment
Logo of the "TOTAL E-QUALITY" initiative