University of Bamberg

University of Bamberg in Bamberg, Germany, is simultaneously one of the oldest and one of the newest universities in Bavaria. It specializes in the Humanities, Cultural Studies, Social Sciences, Economics and Applied Computer Science.

The University of Bamberg was founded in 1647 under the name Academia Bambergensis by Prince-Bishop Melchior Otto Voit von Salzburg and was enlarged in the following century, particularly through the work of Prince-Bishop Friedrich Carl von Schönborn, to attain the status of a full university, including departments of theology, philosophy, law and medicine.

In 1803 the university was closed during the course of the secularization of the diocese. However, Catholic theology could still be studied, thus, the traditional role as university was never actually interrupted.

In 1972 the College for Philosophy and Theology, which was founded in 1923 and was modeled on the tradition of the old university, was combined with the Teachers Training College (established in 1958) to become the Gesamthochschule of Bamberg (i.e. a University and a University of Applied Sciences combined in one institution). In 1979 it was re-designated, having earned the title of University. As all German universities the University of Bamberg is designed as a B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. granting institution of higher learning as well as a research university.