As one of eleven German universities, the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin was chosen as a University of Excellence in June 2012. It was successful in all three funding lines in the third round of the Excellence Initiative of the German federal and state governments and was awarded for its future concept "Educating Enquiring Minds: Individuality - Openness - Guidance". In an international comparison, Humboldt-Universität ranks among the top ten German universities. Scientists at Humboldt-Universität research socially relevant topics and challenges of the future and communicate these with the public. Humboldt-Universität invests all of its energy into being a place of excellent research and teaching. Its aim is to promote young talent and to positively influence society and the economy outside of the university framework.
Every year, over 5,000 young people decide to embark on their studies at Humboldt-Universität in the heart of Berlin. There is hardly any other place where students can choose from the same variety of degree courses. Among these degree courses are several international Master's programmes featuring lectures and seminars held in English.
As a first-rate university, international exchange for both research and study programmes is a matter of course. Humboldt-Universität boasts academic partnerships with more than 400 Erasmus partners in Europe and with over 150 university partners worldwide. It also has partnerships with two Erasmus Mundus programmes. Over 1,500 mobile students participate in its four Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Windows programmes.
Every year, about 800 academics from abroad spend time at Berlin's oldest university. Additionally, researchers from Humboldt-Universität are welcomed at various international universities, where they conduct projects or field studies and teach as guest lecturers. Humboldt-Universität helps students prepare to study abroad, providing consultation to international students and academics regarding all questions relating to their stay in Berlin. Through the creation of international networks, Humboldt-Universität plays an active role in furthering intercultural research and teaching.