Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München logo

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

(LMU)

🇩🇪 Germany / Bavaria / Munich
Public Est. 1472

About

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München - the University in the heart of Munich - is recognized as one of Europe's premier academic and research institutions. Since our founding in 1472, LMU has attracted inspired scholars and talented students from around the globe, keeping the University at the nexus of ideas that challenge and change our complex world.

As one of Europe's leading research univer...

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München - the University in the heart of Munich - is recognized as one of Europe's premier academic and research institutions. Since our founding in 1472, LMU has attracted inspired scholars and talented students from around the globe, keeping the University at the nexus of ideas that challenge and change our complex world.

As one of Europe's leading research universities, LMU looks back on 500 years of tradition. Its excellence in teaching and research embraces a wide diversity of fields -- from the humanities and cultural studies through law, economics and social sciences to medicine and natural sciences. An intense interdisciplinary approach fosters the innovation so critical to our global future.

Creative thinking, problem-solving and research are central to LMU's academic programs. Its Medical Center is, next to the Charité in Berlin, the most prestigious and largest institution of this kind in Germany.

Ranking Overview

Ranking Snapshot

Ranked Top 50 worldwide across 4 major ranking systems

THE #34 (2026)
ARWU #42 (2025)

Ranked in 106 subject rankings

QS QS World University Rankings
# =58
45
80.1
2026
THE Times Higher Education World University Rankings
# 34
4
79.7
2026
ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities
# 42
1
34.4
2025
US News U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings
# 57
4
75.0
2026

Key Facts

Students
33,697
Student-Staff Ratio
19.1 : 1
Int'l Students
19%
Female : Male
61 : 39
Staff
807

Historical Trend

Longitudinal View
QS QS
THE THE
ARWU ARWU
US News US News
1 51 101 151 201 251 300 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Rank
:
Score:

Top Subjects

Best-performing areas
9
Communication & Media Studies
Top 10
11
Philosophy
Top 50
13
Medical Technology
Top 50
15
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging
Top 50
15
Arts & Humanities
Top 50
16
Education and Educational Research
Top 50
21
Law & Legal Studies
Top 50
25
Neuroscience and Behavior
Top 50
25
Arts and Humanities
Top 50
26
Immunology
Top 50
29
Human Biological Sciences
Top 50
=29
Biological Sciences
Top 50
=30
Psychiatry/Psychology
Top 50
30
Physical Sciences
Top 50

Subject Rankings

Detailed breakdown

ARWU

44 subjects
Subject
Rank
Score
Year
Communication & Media Studies 9 183.0 2025
Medical Technology 13 219.2 2025
Human Biological Sciences 29 181.8 2025
Physics & Astronomy 40 232.4 2025
Public Administration 41 125.9 2025
Earth & Marine Sciences 51-75 - 2025
Artificial Intelligence 51-75 - 2025
Biological Sciences 51-75 - 2025
Clinical Medicine 51-75 - 2025
Public Health 51-75 - 2025
Politics 51-75 - 2025
Automation & Control 76-100 - 2017
Transportation Science & Technology 76-100 - 2017
Veterinary Science 76-100 - 2025
Dentistry 76-100 - 2025
Economics & Econometrics 76-100 - 2025
Mathematics 101-150 - 2025
Chemistry 101-150 - 2025
Atmospheric Science 101-150 - 2025
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology 101-150 - 2025
Energy Science & Engineering 101-150 - 2019
Biotechnology 101-150 - 2025
Remote Sensing 101-150 - 2025
Pharmacy & Pharmacology 101-150 - 2025
Law & Legal Studies 101-150 - 2025
Psychology 101-150 - 2025
Telecommunication Engineering 151-200 - 2017
Statistics & Operational Research 151-200 - 2025
Education & Training 151-200 - 2025
Business Administration 151-200 - 2025
Finance 151-200 - 2021
Hospitality & Tourism Management 151-200 - 2023
Geography 201-300 - 2024
Instruments Science & Technology 201-300 - 2019
Biomedical Engineering 201-300 - 2025
Computer Science 201-300 - 2025
Civil Engineering 201-300 - 2017
Materials Science 201-300 - 2025
Sociology 201-300 - 2025
Management 201-300 - 2025
Ecology 301-400 - 2025
Electrical & Electronic Engineering 401-500 - 2023
Environmental Sciences 401-500 - 2025
Agricultural Sciences 401-500 - 2025

QS

42 subjects
Subject
Rank
Score
Year
Philosophy 11 82.4 2026
Communication & Media Studies 24 82.1 2026
Biological Sciences =29 79.2 2026
Archaeology 33 77.9 2026
Arts & Humanities =35 81.5 2026
Veterinary Science 35 81.9 2026
Classics & Ancient History =36 75.8 2026
History 38 78.1 2026
Physics & Astronomy =39 79.6 2026
Psychology =41 75.9 2026
Modern Languages =42 79.1 2026
Law & Legal Studies =42 76.1 2026
Natural Sciences 43 81.7 2026
Anatomy & Physiology =43 81.1 2026
Life Sciences & Medicine =46 79.6 2026
Medicine =46 75.7 2026
Economics & Econometrics 47 76.8 2026
Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies 51-100 - 2026
Data Science 51-100 - 2026
Dentistry 51-150 - 2026
Earth & Marine Sciences 51-100 - 2026
Anthropology 51-100 - 2026
Statistics & Operational Research 51-100 - 2026
English Language & Literature 54 73.3 2026
Chemistry =55 75.7 2026
Pharmacy & Pharmacology =85 71.4 2026
Social Sciences & Management =89 73.4 2026
Politics 89 66.1 2026
Computer Science =91 68.2 2026
Linguistics 101-150 - 2026
Performing Arts 101-150 - 2025
Geography 101-150 - 2026
Geology 101-150 - 2026
Geophysics 101-150 - 2026
Accounting & Finance 101-150 - 2026
Education & Training 101-150 - 2026
Social Policy & Administration 101-150 - 2025
Mathematics =122 67.8 2026
Materials Science =133 70.8 2026
Environmental Sciences 151-200 - 2026
Business & Management Studies 151-200 - 2026
Engineering & Technology =228 68.1 2026

THE

10 subjects
Subject
Rank
Score
Year
Arts & Humanities 15 80.7 2026
Law & Legal Studies 21 72.6 2026
Psychology 25 74.9 2026
Physical Sciences 30 80.8 2026
Business & Economics 39 68.8 2026
Clinical & Health 44 73.7 2026
Life Sciences 44 76.4 2026
Computer Science 50 73.9 2026
Social Sciences =60 63.5 2026
Education & Training 63 60.9 2026

Organization Structure

Related units
University 16

organization to promote and to foster open science practices at LMU Munich and beyond.

View Details

research institute

View Details
Want to apply to this university? Talk to AI Advisor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ranking of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München?

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München's performance in the latest university rankings: QS Rank =58, THE Rank 34, ARWU Rank 42, US News Rank 57.

When was Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München founded?

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München was founded in 1472.

What are the top subjects at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München?

Top subjects at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München include: Communication & Media Studies, Philosophy, Medical Technology, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging, Arts & Humanities.

Where is Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München located?

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München is located in Munich, Germany.