Zeppelin University

Zeppelin University (German: Zeppelin Universität, ZU) is a private research university in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The university is accredited by the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts of Baden-Württemberg. The university was established in 2003 and is named after the German general and airship constructor Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin, whose foundation is the primary financier of the university.

Campus
Zeppelin University has two campuses in Friedrichshafen: the Lake Campus at the shores of Lake Constance, and the nearby ZF Campus, which was completed in 2015. The ZF Campus was funded by a donation of 20 million Euro from ZF Friedrichshafen. Both campuses are modern, designed by well-known architects, and contain classrooms, lecture halls, offices, cafeterias, a library, a fitness studio and a co-working wing for students.

In 2018, the ZF Campus was named one of four new exceptional buildings in Germany by the German Architecture Museum. The university was also awarded with the "Deutscher Hochschulbaupreis 2018" by the ''Deutsche Universitätsstiftung. ''

Rankings
In the 2023 CHE Ranking, which annually ranks German universities and is published in the Zeit newspaper's study guide, Zeppelin University was ranked among the 20 best German universities in the field of economic sciences.

In the 2021 CHE Ranking, Zeppelin University was ranked among the 23 best German universities in the field of political science.

Zeppelin University has not appeared in the QS Ranking or Times Higher Education Ranking.

Academic profile
The university offers 16 bachelor's and master's tracks, including an executive master's education. Students can graduate with an academic degree in the Bachelor of Arts, or a consecutive or non-consecutive Master of Arts or Master of Science.

Zeppelin University only offers four year undergraduate study programs. One year is intended to be used as a "Humboldt year", a one-year research project at a partner university. To enable this, the university's academic calendar closely mirrors international academic calendars.

Partner universities
Zeppelin University has partnerships with around 85 universities, some of which are:


 * University of California, Berkeley
 * Sciences Po
 * Copenhagen Business School
 * University of Twente
 * Goldsmiths College
 * Maastricht University

Tuition fees and scholarships
Tuition for undergraduate programs in the nominal study period of four years cost between 36,720 and 42,000 euros. For postgraduate programs, the tuition costs between 13,320 and 23,160 euros for the two-year program.

Students not in receipt of a scholarship are offered low interest loans by Sparkasse Bodensee. At the school, more than two-thirds of students utilize such loans. Alternatively, students can apply for grants from ZU-Bildungsfonds.

Selection process
Applicants are selected by the university in a two-step selection process: after a detailed written application, in which the first round of selection is made, candidates are invited to an assessment day (Pioneers Wanted). Candidates go through several interviews with professors, students, alumni, and external reviewers. Written tests are also featured. Candidates have to complete a group project which is presented to the assessment committee.

Engagement and student projects
There are some 59 student groups and projects, such as groups affiliated with political parties (LHG, Jusos, RCDS), a debating club (Soapbox), the Club of International Politics (CIP), a Model United Nations group (MUN), which also organizes LakeMun, entrepreneurial groups, a cultural club which also organizes a music festival at the university (SeeKult), a student medical service (ZUFA), a film group, several bands and many more – some of them are even known nationally (RockYourLife, for example). A student radio station, Welle20, went on air in 2008. In the last few years new initiatives have emerged for example the "ZUtaten" career fair, or the student consulting group "Whyknot". There is also an ERASMUS group named "International Student Group" and the "Hochschulsport" club which organises several sport activities such as volleyball, cheerleading, lacrosse, rowing, etc.

Research institutes
The Zeppelin University has various integrated interdisciplinary research institutes, which are partly funded by donations. These include the Leadership Excellence Institute Zeppelin (LEIZ), which is supported by the Karl Schlecht Stiftung, the Friedrichshafener Institut für Familienunternehmen (Institute for family business), the Forschungszentrum für Verbraucher, Markt und Politik (a research institute for consumers, markets and politics), and the European Center for Sustainability Research supported by Audi and Rolls-Royce Power Systems.