The University of Bremen was awarded the title „University of Excellence“ as one of only eleven universities in Germany since 2012 and is known as the research centre of northwest Germany. Founded in 1971, it is one of the younger universities of Germany with 12 faculties and 119 study programs. Around 19.500 students are enrolled, handled by 3.500 staff members of various disciplines such as natural science, engineering, social sciences and humanities, as well as teacher training. The university maintains cooperative activities with 11 research institutes in order to anchor itself as a leading European research university.