Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (CAU) was founded in 1665 and is the oldest, largest and best-known university in Schleswig-Holstein. The CAU is the only comprehensive university in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, located in the coastal city of Kiel in northern Germany. It is a major academic centre for students interested in marine sciences, life sciences, medicine, law, economics, humanities, social sciences, environmental research, nanoscience and interdisciplinary study. With some 27,000 students and about 3,700 staff members, the university has the size and scholarly breadth of a large German public research university. The University of Kiel’s location on the coast gives it a distinctive academic identity. It has a wide range of programmes, but is particularly known for its work on oceans, the environment, climate, life sciences and society. Its research profile is structured around four main priority areas: Life Sciences, Marine Sciences, Nano Science and Surface Research and Society, Environment and Culture in Change. These disciplines combine knowledge from the natural sciences, social sciences, law, humanities and technology, making CAU particularly strong for students who wish to study problems that transcend traditional boundaries of scholarship. One of Kiel’s biggest strengths is marine science. The university has a strong connection to research in the oceans and on the coasts. Its Kiel Marine Science center coordinates interdisciplinary work on oceans, coasts and their link to society. This makes the university very relevant for students with an interest in marine biology, marine geosciences, oceanography, climate research, coastal management, sustainability and environmental policy. Few German universities can boast this kind of direct connection between location and research identity and academic opportunity. CAU’s importance goes beyond marine sciences as well. It has strong academic programs in medicine, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, law, business, economics, theology, humanities, languages, cultural studies, agricultural research, psychology and social sciences. This broad structure allows students to select from a wide range of fields, while benefiting from the focused research strengths of the university. Students can investigate the interconnections of health, environment, society, science, law and technology in a changing world. Its history enhances the present academic role of the university. The CAU, with its more than 350 years of academic tradition, was established in 1665 by Duke Christian Albrecht and has grown from a state school to an international research institution. The richness of its history together with current research topics allows students to gain the benefit of studying at a university that is both traditional and progressive. Kiel as a city has a strong student atmosphere. It lies by the Baltic Sea, and has a different lifestyle to German university cities further inland. Students benefit from coastal surroundings, a maritime economy, cultural events, public transportation and access to research institutions in ocean science, environmental policy and international trade. The city’s northern German location also offers possibilities for students keen on Scandinavian connections, Baltic Sea research, logistics and coastal industries. Kiel University entices international students with its wide academic spectrum similar to that of a comprehensive university, supplemented by unique strengths that are hard to find elsewhere in Germany. The multidisciplinary nature of marine research, environmental science, life sciences, law, medicine, and the humanities and social sciences can be especially advantageous for students interested in a research-led education focusing on global challenges. Kiel University is an excellent option for students who want to study at a traditional public research university in Germany with a strong science profile and broad range of academic subjects. “It is one of Germany’s most distinctive universities for international students due to its coastal location, leadership in marine sciences, interdisciplinary research culture and long academic tradition.”