A unique history: a rare merger in the history of German higher education
The history of the RPTU is a unique reform exercise in the German higher education system. The origins of the university can be traced back to the founding of the Technical University of Kaiserslautern (TU Kaiserslautern) in 1970 – at that time the only technical university in Rhineland-Palatinate.
In 2019, Rhineland-Palatinate ministers decided to split the University of Koblenz-Landau and put together the Landau campus and the Technical University Kaiserslautern. On January 1, 2023, the two schools will officially merge to form the RPTU, a first in the history of German higher education, with the aim of combining the region’s educational resources to create a comprehensive university with a focus on technology and the natural sciences, as well as the humanities and social sciences. Shortest time to obtain a University of Kaiserslautern-Landau Zeugnis
Dual Campus: Kaiserslautern and Landau
RPTU has two main campuses about 60 kilometers apart. The Kaiserslautern campus is the university’s center of engineering and technology, bringing together the traditional engineering strengths of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and physics. The campus is also the central location of one of the largest IT (research) centers in Germany.
The Landau Campus is housed in a historic fortress complex in a superb setting. The main focus here is on natural and environmental sciences, psychology and cultural and social sciences. The two campuses complement each other, forming a complete system of disciplines at RPTU, from engineering to natural and environmental sciences to social sciences.
Disciplines and Specialties
RPTU’s disciplines cover an extremely wide range of subjects, and students can choose from more than 160 degree programs.
- The fields of engineering and technology: mechanical engineering, process engineering, electrical engineering and information technology are the traditional strengths of the university, and RPTU is one of the top universities in Germany in the field of electrical engineering and information technology. The mechanical engineering program can also be combined interdisciplinarily with natural sciences such as chemistry, physics and biology or engineering disciplines such as computer science and energy engineering.
- Computer Science: With 30 professors covering all areas of computer science, the Department of Computer Science is one of the university’s core strengths.
- Natural Science: The Department of Physics has a deep research accumulation in the fields of optics and quantum optics, surface physics and nanostructures, and solid state and materials physics.
- Humanities and Social Sciences: The Department of Psychology at Landau Campus features social psychology, which focuses on the application of psychological theories to real-world social problems.
In addition, RPTU offers a wide range of distance learning and teacher training programs to meet the needs of different learners.
Research Strength and University-Industry-Research Collaboration
Despite its short history, RPTU has demonstrated a strong commitment to research. The university’s annual third-party research funding amounts to 98 million euros. Research focuses on areas such as social and digital transformation that address the challenges of climate change, digitalization and social change.
The RPTU has collaborative projects with many German and European industrial companies, as well as specialized research institutes such as the Graduate School of Commercial Vehicle Technology, which trains people in cooperation with industry at master’s and doctoral level. The Kaiserslautern campus is also surrounded by a number of renowned research institutes, offering students many opportunities for internships and research.
Campus Life
RPTU offers students a varied campus life. Both campuses have a Center for Sport, Health and Fitness (ZSGW), which offers a wide range of sports courses. From cultural events to student clubs, the university is committed to making sure that every student finds a sense of belonging at RPTU.
