Ruhr University Bochum
Ruhr University Bochum logo

Ruhr University Bochum

(RUB)

🇩🇪 Germany / North Rhine-Westphalia / Bochum
Public Est. 1962

About

Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) was the first new public university to be founded in Germany after World War II in 1962. Today, RUB is one of Europe´s most thriving universities with a lively campus attracting more than 43,000 students from all over the world. More than 5,500 students and nearly 600 PhD students graduate each year.

A wide range of disciplines is offered by RUB as well as an excelle...

Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) was the first new public university to be founded in Germany after World War II in 1962. Today, RUB is one of Europe´s most thriving universities with a lively campus attracting more than 43,000 students from all over the world. More than 5,500 students and nearly 600 PhD students graduate each year.

A wide range of disciplines is offered by RUB as well as an excellent research infrastructure. 20 Faculties and 35 fields of study provide a great number of research and training options. The cross-faculty RUB Research School is the central campus hub for doctoral researchers. The RUB Research School offers an advanced qualification beyond borders, supports a seamless transition into the job market and advises everyone starting or planing a doctorate at RUB. Early career researchers are at the center of attention being the most important resource for future innovation and outstanding research.

Ruhr-Universität Bochum is internationally known for its research strengths in solvation science (Cluster of Excellence) and cyber security (Cluster of Excellenz) as well as for research focuses in religious studies, materials research, neuroscience, plasma research, protein research, and subsurface modeling and engineering. RUB researchers procure a significant amount of third party funding each year and thus contribute to the university´s budget.

The university´s primary location is in the city of Bochum, in Germany´s Ruhr Valley region, with an overseas presence in New York, Moscow, and Rio de Janeiro. Researchers of all career stages meeting on campus make the university a stimulating place and shape RUB as an open minded attractive place for science and study.

UA-Ruhr: The giant in the region

The UA-Ruhr is a consortium of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum, TU Dortmund University and the University of Duisburg-Essen, the three academic powerhouses in Germany´s thriving Ruhr Valley region. Each of our institutions has a strong tradition of breaking down walls between disciplines. We believe in collaboration on all levels of scholarship and research, which is one of the reasons we came together to form this unique university alliance. We leverage our strengths in science and engineering, social sciences, and the humanities, and create unique opportunities for international academic cooperation.

Ranking Overview

Ranking Snapshot

Ranked Top 201 worldwide across 4 major ranking systems

ARWU #201-300 (2025)
THE #251–300 (2026)

Ranked in 64 subject rankings

QS QS World University Rankings
# =402
7
38.0
2027
THE Times Higher Education World University Rankings
# 251–300
50
54.3
2026
ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities
# 201-300
2025
US News U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings
# =369
20
56.4
2026

Key Facts

Students
30,732
Student-Staff Ratio
39.4 : 1
Int'l Students
20%
Female : Male
51 : 49
Staff
6,360

Historical Trend

Longitudinal View
QS QS
THE THE
ARWU ARWU
US News US News
1 51 101 151 201 251 301 351 401 451 500 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 Rank
:
Score:

Top Subjects

Best-performing areas
23
Philosophy
Top 50
51-75
Statistics & Operational Research
Top 100
51-60
Mineral & Mining Engineering
Top 100
101-150
Metallurgical Engineering
Top 200
101-150
Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies
Top 200
101-150
Development Studies
Top 200
108
Arts and Humanities
Top 200
149
Psychiatry/Psychology
Top 200
151–175
Arts & Humanities
Top 200
151-200
Physics & Astronomy
Top 200
151-200
Human Biological Sciences
Top 200
160
Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
Top 200

Subject Rankings

Detailed breakdown

QS

23 subjects
Subject
Rank
Score
Year
Philosophy 23 79.2 2026
Mineral & Mining Engineering 51-60 - 2022
Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies 101-150 - 2026
Development Studies 101-150 - 2026
Psychology 151-200 - 2026
Archaeology 201-240 - 2023
History 201-230 - 2023
Chemical Engineering 251-300 - 2026
Chemistry 251-300 - 2026
Physics & Astronomy 251-300 - 2026
Arts & Humanities =297 64.5 2026
Materials Science 301-350 - 2026
Natural Sciences =309 66.7 2026
Biological Sciences 351-400 - 2026
Life Sciences & Medicine =396 60.5 2026
Engineering & Technology 401-450 - 2026
Computer Science 451-500 - 2026
Electrical & Electronic Engineering 451-500 - 2023
Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering 451-500 - 2026
Medicine 451-500 - 2026
Mathematics 451-500 - 2026
Environmental Sciences 501-550 - 2026
Economics & Econometrics 551-700 - 2026

ARWU

29 subjects

THE

10 subjects
Subject
Rank
Score
Year
Psychology =71 62.7 2026
Computer Science 101–125 56.2 2026
Arts & Humanities 151–175 43.2 2026
Engineering & Technology 201–250 47.5 2026
Clinical & Health 201–250 46.6 2026
Social Sciences 201–250 44.4 2026
Law & Legal Studies 201–250 37.7 2026
Physical Sciences 251–300 47.7 2026
Education & Training 251–300 40.6 2026
Life Sciences 301–400 42.4 2026

US News

22 subjects
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ranking of Ruhr University Bochum?

Ruhr University Bochum's performance in the latest university rankings: QS Rank =402, THE Rank 251–300, ARWU Rank 201-300, US News Rank =369.

When was Ruhr University Bochum founded?

Ruhr University Bochum was founded in 1962.

What are the top subjects at Ruhr University Bochum?

Top subjects at Ruhr University Bochum include: Philosophy, Statistics & Operational Research, Mineral & Mining Engineering, Psychology, Computer Science.

Where is Ruhr University Bochum located?

Ruhr University Bochum is located in Bochum, Germany.