Bavarian Minister of Science, Bernd Sibler, congratulates the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt on its top ranking: “This award is something special for the KU. It is the second time in a row now that the KU has been voted Germany’s most popular university by its students. This vote is great praise as well as compelling testimony. After all, getting a vote of confidence from your own students is a nice recognition of the excellent work that is being done, especially in view of the challenging past semesters in the grip of the pandemic. Congratulations to all of you who have contributed to this successful outcome”.

The website Studycheck.de allows students to allot a maximum of five stars in different categories and to comment on their study program. Program content and faculty were given 4.4 stars on average. Lectures, equipment and organization also received high-star ratings. At 4.5 stars, the University Library is especially popular. Hendrik Ewers of Studycheck says it is noticeable that “the students’ reviews often speak in high terms of the open and friendly atmosphere and the small and well-structured campus. Students also often mention how easy it is to get a hold of lecturers. These criteria seem to be key factors that made the KU most popular university in our award of 2022 on which we would like to congratulate.” Additionally, the KU made the fifth place in the ranking on how accessible classes are in these times of digital teaching and if it is easy to reach lecturers online. On this subject, the portal has an ongoing separate “Digital Readiness Ranking”.

Miriam Gradl, head of the KU Student Representatives Council says: “We, as the representatives of students at the KU, join the University in the celebration of this award! We like it here and feel appreciated. We enjoy the open and respectful atmosphere. The award therefore only reflects our own impression - and that is just one more reason to get involved and to contribute to an active campus life. We take this as a particular incentive to keep representing students’ interests at the KU – both in Eichstätt or Ingolstadt.”

KU President Prof. Dr. Gabriele Gien says: “We are so happy and proud that despite the pandemic our students see our University in such a positive light. To all of us it is and has been a particular concern for the KU to be an enriching community of teaching and learning. Being awarded most popular university again serves as a tribute to the active commitment of students, faculty and employees.  And - the ranking clearly shows that - at the KU commitment is not just an empty phrase but part of everyday life and of our culture.”

The award can also be taken as an expression of continuity, especially when seen in combination with the KU’s other positive results in comparable surveys, such as the CHE Ranking or the Bavarian graduate survey Bayerische Graduiertenstudie. That particular survey on a regular basis interviews former students of Bavarian universities and Hochschulen on their studies and the transition to their professional lives. In the last survey, published in fall 2021, the KU averaged 1.84 with the Bachelor’s program graduates on a scale of 1 (“very happy”) to 5 (“very unhappy”). At all other Bavarian universities, this area reached only 2.07 on average. When looking at more specific areas, graduates also award the KU good grades. For instance, KU students consistently rate the extent to which they have acquired skills at university greater than their peers from other Bavarian universities.

Get to know the KU – Come to our Open Day
If you would like to see for yourself, come visit us on our Open Day on May, 14. You will have the chance to talk to students and lecturers to learn about the wide range of degree programs offered at the KU. The detailed program will be available shortly at www.ku.de/infotag.