University of Jena

Jena, Germany

The University of Jena (Friedrich Schiller University Jena), founded in 1558, is one of Germany's oldest and most research-intensive universities, renowned for its strengths in optics, photonics, and life sciences.
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Tuition Fees, Cost of Living & Accommodation at University of Jena

Cost Of Living

€ 9750

Undergraduate Fees International Students

€ 317

Masters

  • € 960
  • € 960

University of Jena Departments

  • Department of Physics & Astronomy
  • Department of Chemistry & Earth Sciences
  • Department of Mathematics & Computer Science
  • Department of Biology & Pharmacy
  • Department of Medicine
  • Department of Digital Humanities
  • Department of Economics & Business

Unique Selling Proposition (USP) of University of Jena

1. World Leader in Optics & Photonics

Home to Ernst Abbe’s optical theories and the Abbe Center of Photonics, partnering with Carl Zeiss and Jenoptik to develop next-gen microscopes/lasers.

2. Industry-Embedded Research

Carl Zeiss Campus hosts joint labs with Schott AG (glass tech) and Trumpf (quantum sensors), ensuring 60% of physics grads get hired pre-graduation.

3. Elite Quantum Engineering Programs

Only German university offering a Quantum Engineering master’s with access to ion-trap labs and Bosch’s quantum chip projects.

4. Biodiversity Research Powerhouse

Leads the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), tackling climate change with AI-driven ecology models.

5. Historic Innovation Legacy

Where Goethe studied botany and Ernst Haeckel pioneered ecology—now merging humanities with tech (e.g., Digital Humanities Lab).

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Distinguished Alumni of University of Jena

Ernst Abbe

Co-founder of Carl Zeiss AG, revolutionized microscopy with Abbe’s diffraction theory.

Ernst Haeckel

Pioneered ecology, coined terms like "stem cell" and "biosphere."

Karl Zeiss

Founded Carl Zeiss Optics, shaping modern precision engineering.

Otto Schott

Invented borosilicate glass (Schott AG), essential for labs/lenses worldwide.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

While not a grad, his plant morphology research at Jena laid foundations for botany.

Hans Berger

Discovered the human electroencephalogram (EEG).

Jens Frahm

Invented fast MRI imaging (FLASH technique), used in hospitals globally.

Andrea Bräu

CTO of Q.ANT, developing photonic quantum chips at Bosch.

Claudia Höbartner

Leading CRISPR diagnostics research at Max Planck Institute.

Markus Fritzsche

Founded CyOptics, acquired by Intel for $400M (2013).

Infrastructure & Facilities at University of Jena

The University of Jena boasts a modern, research-driven infrastructure that bridges its historic roots with cutting-edge innovation. Its main campus blends iconic buildings like the Abbe Campus (home to optics research) with facilities like the Hugo-Schott-Zentrum, featuring quantum labs and 3D-printing hubs for photonics. The Beutenberg Campus hosts elite institutes like the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry and the Leibniz Institute for Photonic Technologies, offering students access to cleanrooms, high-power laser labs, and AI-driven microscopy systems. The ThULB University Library provides 24/7 access to rare scientific archives alongside VR learning pods, while the Startup Factory Jena incubator supports student ventures with prototyping labs.

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University of Jena Student Life

Life in Jena blends historic charm with vibrant innovation. The Studentenwerk Thüringen organizes events like the "Optics Night" science festival and hikes in the Saale Valley. Over 100 student clubs range from the Photonics Society (building lasers with Jenoptik) to the Goethe Literary Club. The Uni-Sportzentrum offers unique activities like robot-assisted climbing and startup yoga, while the "Kulturbrauerei" hosts concerts in a former brewery. Affordable dorms (from €230/month) and a semester ticket for free regional transit make student living easy. With its UNESCO-listed planetarium and tech-driven startup scene, Jena offers a dynamic, welcoming community.

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University of Jena Career support

The Career Center leverages Jena’s strong industry ties, with 80% of photonics/quantum engineering graduates securing jobs at companies like Carl Zeiss, Jenoptik, or Bosch before graduation. Key programs include:

"OptoCareer Day": Germany’s only laser technology-specific job fair

Quantum Industry Lab: Guaranteed internships at Trumpf’s quantum division

Startup Jump Program: €25K grants for student tech ventures
The Alumni Network connects graduates to leaders at Schott AG and Max Planck Institutes, while the "SkillMapper" platform uses AI to match students with global opportunities. Average starting salaries reach €68K in optics/photonics.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Admission Requirements at University of Jena

The below information is required while
completing the university application :

1. Academic Qualifications

Secondary School Diploma: Equivalent to the German Abitur (e.g., IB Diploma, A-Levels with 3+ subjects, or country-specific qualifications validated via uni-assist).

STEM Programs: Require advanced coursework in math/physics (e.g., Physics BSc needs proof of 4+ semesters of math).

2. Language Proficiency

German-Taught Programs:

TestDaF: 4x TDN 4 (or equivalent like DSH-2, Goethe C2).

English-Taught Programs (e.g., American Studies):

IELTS 6.0+ / TOEFL 80+ (no program is fully English-taught at bachelor’s level except select modules).

3. Program-Specific Requirements

Medicine/Dentistry:

TMS or HamNat test (top 10% score).

Physics/Photonics:

Math Olympiad participation or entrance exam (waived for IB/A-Level holders).

4. Application Process

Deadlines:

Winter Semester: July 15 (EU) / May 31 (non-EU).

Summer Semester: Jan 15 (EU) / Nov 30 (non-EU).

Platform: Via uni-assist for non-EU applicants.

5. Additional Documents

Visa Proof: Blocked account (€11,208/year).

Health Insurance: Mandatory enrollment in German public insurance (~€120/month).

Requirements may vary for each program. Please visit the program page for specific requirements.

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Campus
Recruitment By top Companies

The University of Jena offers a dynamic campus recruitment ecosystem, closely tied to its world-class optics, photonics, and quantum technology programs. Top employers like Carl Zeiss, Jenoptik, and Bosch actively recruit through the annual "OptoNet Career Day", where 70% of physics and engineering students secure internships or jobs. The university’s Industry-on-Campus initiative embeds companies like Schott AG and Trumpf directly in research labs, enabling students to work on real-world projects like quantum sensors and ultra-precision optics. The Startup Factory Jena connects graduates with deep-tech ventures, offering €50K seed funding for spin-offs, while partnerships with the Max Planck Institute open doors to academic careers.

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    University of Jena Corporate Partnership

    • Carl Zeiss AG : Co-funds the Abbe Center of Photonics, sponsors endowed chairs in optical engineering, and hires 40% of physics graduates.
    • Jenoptik : Joint lab for autonomous vehicle lidar, funds the "Jenoptik Optical Design Prize" for students.
    • Schott AG : Supports the Schott Glass Innovation Lab on campus, co-develops telescope mirrors for ESA.
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    Notable Achievements of University of Jena

    The University of Jena has cemented its scientific legacy through transformative achievements, including Ernst Abbe's 1868 diffraction theory that revolutionized modern microscopy and enabled Carl Zeiss AG's global optical dominance, Otto Schott's 1884 invention of borosilicate glass which became essential for laboratories and space telescopes worldwide, and Hans Berger's 1924 development of EEG technology that founded modern brain research. The university continues this innovative tradition with Jens Frahm's FLASH MRI technique (1985) now used in hospitals globally and its leadership in quantum photonics, demonstrated by pioneering quantum dot lasers in 2002 that enabled fiber-optic networks.

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    Achievements

    01.
    #1 in Industry-Income for Physics (QS)

    Recognized for 70% of physics graduates hired by partners like Zeiss and Trumpf, with €65K+ starting salaries.

    Year
    2023
    02.
    "Startup Factory Jena" Milestone

    Incubated 100+ deep-tech spin-offs in optics/photonics, attracting €150M in VC funding (notable exit: CyOptics to Intel).

    Year
    2021
    03.
    Helmholtz Institute for Quantum Technologies

    Partnered with Bosch and Fraunhofer to develop Germany’s first industrial-grade quantum sensors, now used in autonomous vehicles.

    Year
    2019

    Notable Innovation, Research & Development University of Jena

    The University of Jena is a powerhouse of cutting-edge research and technological innovation, particularly renowned for its leadership in optics, photonics, and quantum engineering. As the birthplace of modern microscopy (Ernst Abbe) and borosilicate glass (Otto Schott), Jena today drives advancements through its Abbe Center of Photonics, developing ultra-precise optical systems for space telescopes and quantum computers. The university’s German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) uses AI to model ecosystem responses to climate change, while its Helmholtz Institute for Quantum Technologies pioneers ion-trap quantum processors with industry partners like Bosch and Trumpf.

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    Notable Innovation

    01.
    Quantum dot lasers

    Developed at Jena’s photonics labs, enabled high-speed fiber-optic networks and quantum computing light sources.

    Year
    2022
    02.
    Jens Frahm’s FLASH MRI technique

    Accelerated medical imaging 100x faster, now standard in hospitals worldwide.

    Year
    1985
    03.
    Hans Berger’s electroencephalogram

    Pioneered brainwave monitoring, transforming neurology and modern brain-computer interfaces.

    Year
    1924

    Explore Programs & Courses at University of Jena

    Program name
    Tuition Fees
    Deadlines
    BA in Old Story 3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
    NA
    21st Oct
    BA in Classical Studies 3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
    NA
    21st Oct
    BSc in Applied computer science 42 Months On Campus Bachelors Program
    NA
    21st Oct
    BA in English American studies 3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
    NA
    21st Oct
    View All Programs

    University Ranking of University of Jena

    301-400
    575

    Region: Europe

    27
    22-27
    165
    228
    Psychology
    201-250
    304
    -
    201-300
    Chemistry
    301-350
    408
    -
    201-300
    Physics
    251-300
    318
    -
    401-500
    Medicine
    351-400
    307
    -
    -
    View All Rankings

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    Connect With University of Jena

    • Furstengraben 1
    • +49 3641 9-401000

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