University of Jena excels in CHE ranking

The Friedrich Schiller University Jena once again performs excellently in the current university ranking of the Centre for Higher Education (CHE). This is proven in the ZEIT Study Guide with the CHE ranking published today (7 May). The subject groups Law and Business Administration were assessed in the winter semester 2025/26. In both, the University of Jena achieved top group rankings for support at the start of studies. Support, study organisation, practical and international opportunities and academic success also scored particularly well.

The Faculty of Law achieved 12 out of 14 possible points for support during the induction period, placing it in the top group. The Faculty of Economics and Business Administration is also in the top group with 13 out of 16 points.

A successful start to studies is crucial for motivation and academic success. The ranking shows that the University of Jena supports its students individually and reliably right from the start.

Prof. Dr Karina Weichold«, Vice-President for Learning and Teaching

Law: Good support despite large number of students

More than 1,000 students are enrolled in Law at the University of Jena, but the faculty is not anonymous. The faculty is in the top group nationwide for the indicator »Support at the beginning of studies«, while »Study organisation« and »Support from teaching staff« are rated above the national average.

The study organisation is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars, while the support provided by teaching staff is rated 4.1 out of 5 stars. 91.6 per cent of respondents awarded 4 or 5 stars for support from teaching staff with questions and problems.

Exam preparation was also rated well by students. It includes, for example, review courses and exams during the semester and in the lecture-free period, weekly exams with correction and debriefing as well as mentoring, exam consultation hours, counselling services and small groups.

The good study conditions are also reflected in the academic success: in the winter semester 2025/26, 72.5 per cent of students on the Law state examination degree programme completed their studies within the standard period of study|regular programme length. 62.8 percent of graduates completed their studies within the standard period of study|regular programme length plus two semesters.

Economics and Business Administration: strong in internationalisation and facilities

The Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, with around 1,500 students, achieved top group rankings for »degrees in a reasonable time«, »support at the start of studies« and »publications per professor«.

Students are particularly positive about the practical and foreign-related tenders. The organisation of internships abroad received 4.5 out of 5 stars, the financial support for stays abroad 4.6 out of 5 stars. Support for work placements, the availability of study-related software, databases and AI tools as well as the consultations provided by the departmental library were also rated highly.

The course progression data is also positive: In the winter semester 2025/26, 82.9 percent of students in the B.Sc. Economics and Business Administration and 88.7 percent in the B.A. Business and Languages were within the standard period of study|regular programme length. Within the standard period of study plus two semesters enrolled in a specific degree programme, 73.8 percent of students in the B.Sc. in Economics and Business Administration and 80.0 percent in the B.A. in Business and Languages completed their studies.

Feedback from students underline the ranking result

In surveys about their degree programmes, students state, among other things, that teaching staff at the University of Jena are passionate about their profession, that the supervision ratio is very good and that »there is always someone who can help«. The study atmosphere is also appreciated: »small research groups«, »close cooperation with professors« and »not overcrowded lectures« are named by students as advantages of the University of Jena.

Information

The complete CHE ranking was published today in the ZEIT Study Guide 2026/27 and on HeyStudium (www.heystudium.de/ranking)