The ranking is an important indicator of academic excellence and the lasting influence of the researchers working at the University of Passau and also reflects the international standing of the University.

Professor Jan Hendrik Schumann holds the Chair of Marketing and Innovation. Adopting highly innovative research approaches in online marketing, customer relationship management and service pricing, his work on marketing research has been published in international journals and won several awards.

Professor Dirk Totzek brings extensive expertise in price management, service management and business-to-business marketing. As holder of the Chair of Marketing and Services, he has made a decisive contribution over the years to the University's national and international standing in teaching and empirical research.

Both professors' pioneering projects and publications have not only strengthened the academic reputation of the faculty, but have also paved the way for future collaborations and interdisciplinary initiatives – of particular note is the marketing double master's degree programme offered in cooperation with the University of Metz (France). This joint programme gives students the opportunity to gain intercultural skills and excellent professional qualifications at the same time.

True to its new motto "You.Science.Future", the School of Business, Economics and Information Systems aims to inspire researchers and students alike with innovative projects, research topics at the forefront of science, and internationally oriented study programmes to prepare them for the challenges of a globalised economy.

You can find the full ranking at www.MKTBig15.com.

For more information on current research projects and the double master's programme with Metz, please visit our website at www.wiwi.uni-passau.de.

Said Professor Bettina Noltenius, Vice President for Studies, Teaching, Ethics and Quality Assurance: "The great international result in the area of 'Quality Education' – the core domain of a university – confirms that we are on the right path in continuously developing the already excellent range of courses at a high level. We remain focused on the topic of 'lifelong learning' and, last but not least, ensuring a supportive and student-centred learning atmosphere."

The University of Passau achieved another top result in the top 25 percent worldwide in the field of gender equality (equality between women and men). It is pleasing to note that the positioning has once again improved significantly compared to the international competition. Equal opportunities, family friendliness and sustainability are strategically important topics of the University of Passau.

"This is once again a very pleasing ranking and reflects our ongoing efforts to implement diversity and equal opportunities as an overarching task at the university in the long term, with the significant involvement of the Diversity Unit. We have learnt to use diversity as potential", said Professor Christina Hansen, Vice President for International Affairs and Diversity at the University of Passau.

The THE University Impact Rankings assess efforts with regard to the 17 UN goals for sustainable development. The indicators in this ranking focus on the so-called Third Mission, i.e. the way in which universities contribute to society in addition to research and teaching, how they transfer knowledge and technology, and how they fulfil their role model function for good working conditions, compliance with gender equity and diversity standards and environmental action.

"If our 'Third Mission' includes further improvements in the area of sustainability in the future, then both fields will benefit", said Vice President for Sustainability, Professor Werner Gamerith. "Technology transfer in particular strengthens the importance of a sustainable 'Third Mission' of the University of Passau, in the best sense of the word, with various lighthouse projects." The seventh THE Impact Ranking survey also clearly shows that the Third Mission is playing an increasingly important role. After growth rates of between 30 and 50 percent in the early years, the number of participating universities has most recently increased by another 18 percent. In the overall ranking of all criteria recorded, the University continues to rank in the 601-800 group (out of 2,318), despite the fact that the field of competitors has once again grown considerably, and was once again able to increase its overall score.

Admission requirements include a general or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification and English language proficiency at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Applicants holding a school-leaving certificate from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) are required to complete a study aptitude test. Courses are taught in both German and English during the first four semesters, while the final two semesters are conducted exclusively in English.

“Our first English-taught bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence marks an important milestone for the University. It addresses the crucial and rapidly evolving field of AI and, with its international orientation, specifically prepares students for a global job market where AI expertise is in high demand”, said Professor Gordon Fraser, Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics.

Prospective students with a German Abitur or an equivalent European secondary-school qualification can apply directly from 15 June to 30 September 2025. Applicants with international university entrance qualifications may apply via uni-assist until 16 July.

Graduates of the B.Sc. Artificial Intelligence will also be eligible to continue their studies at the University of Passau in one of several Master of Science programmes: Artificial Intelligence Engineering, Computational Mathematics and Computer Science. These postgraduate degrees allow students to specialise further and build on the knowledge gained during their undergraduate studies.

For more information about the B.Sc. Artificial Intelligence programme, please visit: https://www.uni-passau.de/en/bsc-artificial-intelligence

German Studies was assessed in eight categories, achieving top-tier status in seven. The subject area ranked well above average nationwide, particularly in “course organisation”, “range of courses” and “overall study situation”. Students also rated the faculty’s infrastructure – including “library facilities” and “teaching rooms” – significantly more positively than the national benchmark.

“We at the University of Passau are delighted by the results of the 2025/2026 CHE Ranking for our German Studies and Romance Studies programmes”, said Professor Jan-Oliver Decker, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Cultural Studies. “The CHE Ranking has a long-standing reputation as a credible and respected guide for choosing a programme and place to study, making a strong placement – such as this one for our bachelor’s programmes – particularly valuable. My sincere thanks go to all members of staff who contribute to the success of our degree programmes, such as European Studies and International Cultural and Business Studies. I also extend my gratitude to our students for their commitment and the positive support they show for the University of Passau – a benefit for future cohorts as well.”

About the CHE University Ranking

The CHE University Ranking, published exclusively in the ZEIT Studienführer and on ZEIT ONLINE for over twenty years, is the most comprehensive university ranking for the German-speaking world. It offers evaluations of more than 10,000 degree programmes at German universities. In addition to facts about studies, teaching and research, it also assesses how students rate the practical relevance of their degree programmes and the career preparation they receive.

The new ZEIT Studienführer 2025/26, featuring selected results from the CHE University Ranking will be available from 10 May for 11.95 euros. The full CHE University Ranking, based on responses from around 120,000 students, is accessible online.

This semester, the prize for voluntary work from kuwi netzwerk international e.V. went to Marilena Wiegmann. Both the speech by Anzhelika Davidian and Leandro Munos Lagunas from the kuwi network and the address by Eliza Kapranova and Chris Denke from the student council gave the audience a wide range of insights into university life in Passau, with anecdotes from their own student days. During the ceremony, the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Dr. Jan-Oliver Decker, the Vice Dean for International Affairs, Prof. Dr. Marina Hertrampf, and the Dean of Studies, Prof. Dr. Gala Rebane, presented the bachelor's and master's certificates for the following degrees:

Bachelor European Studies, Bachelor European Studies Major, Bachelor Historical Sciences, Bachelor International Cultural and Business Studies, Bachelor Media and Communication, Bachelor Linguistics and Literary Studies, Master European Studies, Master International Cultural and Business Studies and Master Textual and Cultural Semiotics.

Ms. Jutta Walkowiak accompanied the graduation ceremony with singing and piano. Afterwards all guests ended the day at the recep on in the foyer of the Audimax.

No less entertaining were the memories of the two student representatives Natalie Reichherzer and Noah Bahlaouane, who shared long nights of learning and Club-Mate breaks on the ‘most beautiful campus in Germany.’.

With the support of Professors Dr Oliver Hidalgo, Dr Martina Padmanabhan and Dr Ralf Hohlfeld, the Dean presented the diplomas to a total of 60 graduates. Jutta Walkowiak provided the musical backdrop to the event.

After the ceremony, the University hosted a reception in the foyer of the Audimax Building. The University of Passau's alumni club offered graduates the opportunity to network and make new contacts.