 | |
| Established | 1765 |
|---|---|
| Rector | Jutta Emes[1] |
Total staff | 2,126 (2025)[2] |
| Students | 4,389 (WS 2024/25)[2] |
| Location | Freiberg ,Germany |
| Website | https://tu-freiberg.de/en |
 | |
TheTechnische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (abbreviation: TU Bergakademie Freiberg, TUBAF) is a publicuniversity of technology with 4,389 students[2] in the city ofFreiberg, Saxony, in Germany. The university's focuses areexploration,mining &extraction, processing, andrecycling of natural resources &scrap, as well as developing new materials and researching renewable energies. It is the oldest university of mining andmetallurgy in the world.
The institution was established in 1765, during theAge of Enlightenment, byPrince Francis Xavier of Saxony based on plans by Friedrich Wilhelm von Oppel andFriedrich Anton von Heynitz. At the time, it was called theKurfürstlich-Sächsische Bergakademie zu Freiberg (by 1806:Königlich-Sächsische Bergakademie zu Freiberg). Its main purpose was the education of highly skilled miners andscientists in fields connected to mining and metallurgy. There had developed a need for mining, as an industry to regenerate Saxony's economy, since Saxony had been defeated in theSeven Years' War.
Before the establishment of theBergakademie (mining school), four similar institutions had been founded in other countries:Potosí,Bolivia (1757–1786); Kongsberg, Norway (1757–1814);Schemnitz, today'sSlovakia (Banská Štiavnica, 1762–1919); andPrague (1762–1772). Since these do not exist anymore, Freiberg University is the oldest and still operational University of Mining and Technology. After theÉcole des Ponts et Chaussées, which was established in 1747, it is also the second oldest institution of higher learning with focus on STEM-research (university of technology).
The chemical elementsindium (1863) andgermanium (1886) were discovered by scientists of Freiberg University. ThepolymathAlexander von Humboldt studied mining at theBergakademie from 1791 to 1792, as did the poetNovalis from 1797 to 1799.
In 1899, it was incorporated as aTechnische Hochschule. In 1905, Bergakademie gained the right to grantdoctorates in engineering (Dr.-Ing.), and in 1939 for natural sciences (Dr. rer. nat.). In 1940, two novelfaculties (divisions) where established: Natural Sciences and Mining & Metallurgy. In 1956, another faculty concerningeconomy was added.
AfterWorld War II, education of future engineers and scientists, as well as research were quickly re-established in order to (re-)build primary industry in theSoviet Occupation Zone/GDR. The campus and faculty-staff were expanded rapidly. The educational direction changed through establishing novel courses. Also, the student demographics changed (percentage of women increased), since the access to college was directed by central authorities. Additionally, children of "workers and farmers", who traditionally didn't pursuetertiary education, were supported by having a college preparation institute (Arbeiter-und-Bauern-Fakultät (ABF) "Wilhelm Pieck").
In the aftermath ofGerman reunification, the infrastructure and academic body were reorganized in order to fit the new political circumstances. After its incorporation into theWest German system of higher education, Bergakademie quickly found a prime position as "The University of Resources". As the firstEast German University, it joined theGerman Research Foundation. In connection, the social sciences section were eliminated, while a faculty for economics was restructured and expanded to 15 professorships.
One of the emerging focus points in research wassemiconductors, which led to corporations settling in and around Freiberg. These includeSiltronic AG,Meyer Burger Technology AG, and JT Energy Systems, specializing in semiconductors,solar power, andlithium-ion batteries, respectively. Besides geo- andmaterials sciences,environmental science became a university strong point.
In March 1993, thenTechnische Hochschule Bergakademie Freiberg was renamedTechnische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, underlining its increased status and significance.[3]
The university's history is presented in theHistoricum through numerous exhibits, paintings and photographs, and documents. The Forum for Mining History (Forum Montangeschichte) is responsible fordigitizing and publishing historic essays and publications concerning Saxony's historical mining and metallurgical industry.
TUBAF describes itself as a modern research university, especially focused on current and future ecological and economical challenges. Interdisciplinary research is emphasized. Most investigated topics revolve around alternative methods in resource extraction, energy systems, compound materials and recycling. The university is recognized worldwide for its expertise in geoscience and materials science.
TUBAF is in the Top 10 of universities in Germany based on third-party (private) funding per professor, according to a 2022 study.[4] A number of patents and inventions by TUBAF-based researchers are recognized each year.
The university offers programs taught in German, as well as international programs entirely taught in English. All in all, there are 68 programs.[2] Among those are unique ones, such as Applied Natural Sciences, Industrial Archeology, Mine-Surveying, and Chemistry (Diplom), which are taught in German.
Admission to all programs from Bachelor through Ph.D. is performance-based and without tuition fees (as usual for consecutive studies at German public universities); students pay a registration fee of €107 per semester, of which €10 are dedicated solely to the Student Body (Council).[5]
14 Master's programs (date: WS 2025/26) are taught in English:
Freiberg University of Mining and Technology has been ranked among the best universities worldwide formining engineering.[6]
Though a public university, it has a relatively large private endowment. The university is home to one of the largest German university foundations.[7]
TU Bergakademie Freiberg is led by a rectorate, legislative decisions are made by the senate or extended senate.
The rectorate consists of rector, chancellor, and two prorectors for Education and Research, respectively.
The university has 6 subdivisions called faculties:
In winter 2024/25 4,389 students were enrolled at TUBAF, 83% in STEM-programs, 33% of whom were female.[2]
52% of the students were from foreign countries. There are double degree agreements with universities in China, France, Ghana, Italy, Poland, Russia, Thailand, and others. About 30% of the doctoral degrees awarded by the university are given to foreign students.[8]
Unlike other historical universities in Germany, TUBAF has a campus with most of its buildings and facilities in close proximity. The oldest buildings lie in the historic (medieval) city center, among these the
The majority of the university's infrastructure can be found in the north of the city, including
The two main parts are connected by a so-called 'corridor' of recent buildings and greenery.
Additionally, a part of the university is located above and around the "Lehr- und Forschungsbergwerk Reiche Zeche", a historical mine, operated today as a teaching and research facility.
Other infrastructure includes the university sports centre, Lessing-Bau and the Scientific Diving Center.
Through its specialization, TUBAF has created a number of institutions, centers, and facilities with state-of-the-art research equipment. Unique in Europe is the still operational mine for teaching as well as underground exploration research. TUBAF is one of two German institutions, where scientific divers are trained.
The 2021 QS World University Rankings by subject rated TU Bergakademie Freiberg No. 17 for Mineral and Mining worldwide and No. 3 in Europe. The Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) ranked TU Freiberg 64th among German universities on research performance.[citation needed]
