RWTH Aachen

The RWTH Aachen is a large university located in Aachen (Germany). "RWTH" is the abbreviation of "Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule" which literally means "Rhine-Westphalian Technical College". However the offical translation is "Aachen University of Technology (RWTH)".

Its main focus are technological studies, especially mechanical engineering.

It is run by the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. There are no tuition fees. Almost all lectures are given in German language, some graduate programs are offered in English.

Approx. 16% of the students come from other countries, most of them from Turkey, China, Morocco, Greece, Iran, and the Netherlands.

History

In 1870 the "Royal Rhine-Westphalian Polytechnical School of Aachen" was founded. Its primary purpose was to educate engineers for the mining industry in the Ruhr area. At its beginning there were 32 teachers and 223 students.

In 1880 it became a "Technical University" and was abbreviated "RWTH". In 1899 it was granted the right to bestow PhD's.

World War I was a serious setback for the university, but between 1925 and 1932 was a period of prosperity and expansion. Previous student numbers were reached again and many new facilities were built.

During the Third Reich (1933–1945) the RWTH was – like all other institutions – assimilated by the Nazis: The freedom of research and teaching was limited, leading lecturers were forced to quit and many students had to leave the university. Due to the vicinity of the borders to the Netherlands and Belgium the university was closed for a year during World War II.

After the war the RWTH recovered and expanded very quickly. Some new faculties have come into existence. Today, it's the only "Technische Hochschule" in Germany. The RWTH Aachen, the TU Munich[?], and the TU Berlin are the three biggest universities for technical studies in Germany.

Facts and Figures

The RWTH is divided into ten faculties:

1. mathematics, computer science, and natural sciences
2. architecture
3. civil engineering
4. mechanical engineering
5. mining, ore processing, and geological sciences
6. electrical engineering
7. philosophy (actually all humanities)
8. economic sciences
9. (pedagogical sciences, abandoned)
10. medicines (including the Klinikum Aachen)

annual budget	approx EUR 650 million
Chairs and institutes	260
lecturers	372
staff	6600
students	30000
annual graduates	2000
annual PhDs	800

External links

• RWTH Aachen (http://www.rwth-aachen.de/) (English version available)