Teaching Mission Statement

At Ulm University, teaching brings together academic excellence and personal growth: it is research-led, socially responsible and future-focused.

The Teaching Mission Statement of Ulm University

(adopted by the Senate of Ulm University on 12 June 2019)

The Teaching Mission Statement sets out Ulm University’s approach to teaching – its standards, objectives and guiding principles. Alongside providing high-quality academic training, we remain committed to Humboldt’s vision of holistic education. Research-led teaching and a strong focus on knowledge exchange reflect the close links between disciplines at Ulm University.

Every student should have the opportunity to develop their skills and realise their potential. Our graduates are recognised both for their academic excellence and for their valuable contributions to science, business, society, and healthcare, where many go on to take up positions of responsibility as experts and leaders.

Excellence in teaching is central to Ulm University’s identity. This commitment is embedded in the Teaching Mission Statement and the standards it defines. By adopting the statement, the Senate reaffirms the dedication of the University and its leadership to these principles.

High-quality teaching is central to our purpose. Our teaching mission provides guidance and inspiration for lecturers in their daily work.

Prof. Olga Pollatos
Vice President Education

Honouring Exceptional Commitment

Ulm Teaching Incubators

Through the Ulm Teaching Incubators, the University supports individual lecturers and teams with grants of up to €100,000. This funding enables them to develop, test, evaluate and share innovative teaching concepts. The Center for Teaching Development provides expert advice and guidance throughout the process.

Go to the Ulm Teaching Incubators 

Ulm University Teaching Award and Teaching Bonuses

Every year, Ulm University honours outstanding achievements and commitment in teaching. The Teaching Award celebrates innovative projects that serve as role models. The Teaching Bonuses reward sustained dedication to teaching, long-term support for students and excellent subject expertise.

Go to the Teaching Award and Teaching Bonuses 

Ulm University Special Award for Student Commitment

The Special Award recognises students or groups whose exceptional engagement enhances their own learning and supports their fellow students.

Go to the University Special Award 

Our principles for excellent teaching

Teaching Mission Statement

Ulm University provides an academic education to its students from undergraduate to doctoral level. Teaching is geared to its excellent international “state-of-the-art” research. From highly qualified graduates, outstanding and responsible leaders and experts in research, society and industry will emerge. We are part of a prospering and entrepreneurial region. As promoters of excellence in research, we facilitate the start-up culture at our university and integrate it into our teaching.

We provide an attractive course offer in a learning atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. Students are considered as partners at our University that are afforded a sound, highly topical and challenging education with clear reference to applications in research facilities, industry and health care. We use the advantages of innovative education and learning formats in a didactically meaningful and effective way, also in broad experimental training. Faculties, student representations and interdisciplinary institutes work together to continuously evolve and sustainably improve teaching at Ulm University.

We stimulate our students’ willingness and determination to learn and work as well as their enjoyment of their subject. We focus on strengthening their motivation, orientation towards their study objectives and on individually promoting their self-reflection, confidence and gain of insight. Graduates of Ulm University shall stand out due to their curiosity, “out-of-the box” thinking and their independence. Through their ability to connect, work independently and think interdisciplinary, they develop innovative solutions for the future. We encourage them to ask questions, but also to admit weaknesses and accept offers of support. 

Like modern society, university teaching is constantly facing new challenges. We fully subscribe to the concept of lifelong learning. We therefore teach our students how to independently acquire long-term knowledge. We offer tailored further training to people within and outside our University and especially to our teaching staff members.

We see internationalization as an integral part and critical success factor for our overall orientation, development planning and future viability. Ulm University has the objective to strengthen intercultural competencies. The combination of digital teaching and learning forms with study-related international mobility creates new possibilities for co-operations with partner universities. Networks with innovative co-operation approaches open up new perspectives for both students and researchers and are crucial for a university strong in research. People from more than 100 countries study, research and work at Ulm University. Students are presented with an environment introducing them to the structures and realities of the international scientific world and preparing them for the demands of an increasingly globalized job market. 

Further information