University of Hanover - History

History

The roots of the Leibniz Universität Hannover begin in the Higher Vocational College/Polytechnic Institute (German: Höhere Gewerbeschule/Polytechnische Schule) founded in 1831. In 1879 the Higher Vocational School moved into the historic Guelph Palace, the Welfenschloss, which was specially converted for the purpose. Later, the Higher Vocational School became the Royal College of Technology (German: Königliche Technische Hochschule). In 1899 Kaiser Wilhelm II granted the College of Technology a status equal to that of universities and the right to confer doctorates. The College was reconstructed in 1921 with the financial support of the College Patrons’ Association. There were three faculties: Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering.

In 1968 the Faculty of Humanities and Political Science were founded and the "College of Technology" became the "Technische Hochschule" ("Technical University"). Between 1973 and 1980 the faculties of Law, Business and Economics, the formerly independent Teachers Training College were added to the University and the "Technical University" was named "University of Hannover." Student numbers exceeded 30,000 for the first time in 1991. On the 175th anniversary of the institution in 2006, the "University of Hannover" was given the name "Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover." While 64 pupils first attended the Vocational School, today the university now has around 21.000 students, more than 2.300 academics and scientists, and 160 departments and institutes.