The Old University houses the University Museum, the Old Assembly Hall, and the Rector's Office.
"Semper apertus - always open" should be the guiding principle of teaching here, demands the motto in the foyer of the Old University. "From tradition into the future" was the motto of the 600th anniversary of Germany's oldest university.
This sets a standard that has been translated into scientific action by eminent scholars through the centuries. Great names define the history of Ruprecht Karls University, founded in 1386. Among them were the philosopher Georg Willhelm Friedrich Hegel, the chemist Robert Bunsen, the physicist Hermann von Helmholtz, the economist, and social scientist Max Weber, and the philosopher Karl Jaspers.
Currently, about 28,000 students are enrolled. They study and research in 12 faculties and 14 specialized research areas. The university's core strengths lie in the field of life sciences. In recognized rankings, Heidelberg University occupies top positions in medicine, the life sciences, physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Law and the many so-called "small" subjects ranging from Classical Studies and European Cultural Studies to East and South Asian Studies are also excellently positioned.
The fact that studying in Heidelberg is appreciated worldwide is evidenced by the high percentage of international students, who make up more than 20 percent of the student body. The combination of excellent teaching and research has paved the way for Ruperto Carola's inclusion in the circle of elite universities. Since 2007, Germany's oldest university has been one of the country's universities of excellence.
