Goethe University Frankfurt (German: Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main) is a university located in Frankfurt, Germany. It was founded in 1914 as a citizens’ university, which means that it was founded and financed by the wealthy and active liberal citizenry of Frankfurt. The original name of the university was Frankfurter Universitätsbund (Association of Frankfurters for the Promotion of University Teaching). The citizens’ university only accepted male students. Women were first admitted in 1919, but only received regular status after 1925.
The university has an excellent reputation both in Germany and internationally. In 2017, it ranked number 73 among universities worldwide in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and number 36 globally in their ranking of social sciences and management schools. Additionally, Goethe University ranked number 156 overall in the CWTS Leiden Ranking 2016, making it one of only 22 German higher education institutions to place within the top 200 globally. Moreover, it ranked number 80 among all European research universities according to U-Multirank 2015.
It is especially known for its excellence in economics, law, business administration/management science,, humanities/cultural studies – especially modern German literature – and natural sciences such as physics. Furthermore, life sciences research at Goethe University is centered around the Campus Riedberg community which comprises institutes for biology, chemistry as well as pharmacy.(p6) The campus houses several Max Planck Institutes too.
The main campus is located on what used to be Wilhelmstrasse (“William’s Street”), right next to Alte Oper (“Old Opera House”). A second campus can be found at Niederrad and was established more recently; this one also hosts the sports facilities of Goethe University. There are plans to build another new campus directly opposite Alte Oper on Große Eschenheimer Straße (“Great Eschenheim Street”), however these plans are currently on hold due to lack of funding from the city council.(pp37–38)
In total there are about 48,000 students enrolled at Goethe University;(p57) 30% thereof being international students coming from 130 different countries all over the world (as of winter semester 2014/2015).(p2) About 6% come from other parts of Germany; most notably Berlin or Hamburg.(pp56–57) 4500 professors additionally teach at various departments and institutes spread across different campuses throughout Frankfurt – this equals a staff-to-student ratio slightly under 1:10 (as of winter semester 2013/2014).(pp60–61) 4600 academic employees work together with these professors; most notable amongst them being 1400 doctoral candidates who are enrolled into one out of 96 different degree programs (summer semester 2014).(p62) 300 scientists have been awarded “venia legendi” already – meaning that they hold full professorship rights within their field(s) and can thus supervise doctoral candidates themselves.(p63)(As per June 2015). Notable alumni include individuals like former German chancellor Helmut Schmidt or entrepreneur Reinhard Mohn.