The Rector of the University of Bonn

Der Rektor Univ.-Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Michael Hoch

Professor Michael Hoch has been the 143rd Rector of the University of Bonn since May 2015.
The Rector is the head of the University of Bonn. He acts as its representative and ensures that University rules are observed.
He is responsible for defining the University’s strategic objectives (e.g. Excellence Strategy) and coordinating their implementation. He is also responsible for the area of knowledge transfer.
The Rector is assisted by the Rectorate’s Executive Management.

In gown (Talar), wearing a barett and the chain of office, at the traditional opening ceremony of the academic year on October 18, preceded by the university beadles (Pedelle) carrying the scepter. © Bernadett Yehdou/Universität Bonn

Professor Michael Hoch,
Dr. rer. nat.

Honorary Doctor of Science
Waseda University Honorary Doctor of Science, University of St Andrews

143rd Rector of the University of Bonn (in his third term of office)
Chair of the university alliance German U15
President of the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes (German Academic Scholarship Foundation)
Member Board of Trustees Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation, Member Presidential Steering Committee der U7+ Alliance for World Universities, Council Member Science and Technlogy Forum (STS) Japan

Curriculum Vitae

since 2026: Member Board of Trustees Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation

since 2026: Member Presidential Steering Committee der U7+ Alliance for World Universities

2026: For the second year in a row, the University of Bonn became the most successful institution in the German Excellence Strategy (8 Clusters of Excellence and title "University of Excellence")

since 2025: Council Member beim Science and Technlogy Forum (STS) Japan

2019: The University of Bonn became the most successful institution in the German Excellence Strategy (6 Clusters of Excellence and title "University of Excellence")

2015: Elected as Rector of the University of Bonn

2000–2006: Co-founder of the Life & Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES)
and Spokesperson for the LIMES Alliance

since 1999: University Professor of Molecular Developmental Biology at the University of Bonn

1983–1989: Studies in Biology in Heidelberg and Paris

Honours and awards (selected)

2026: Honorary Doctorate of University of St Andrews
2024: “Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays” of the Japan’s Imperial House
2023: "Rector of the Decade" (DHV - German Association of University Professors and Lecturers)
2020, 2021, 2023: “Rector of the Year” (DHV - German Association of University Professors and Lecturers)
2019: “University Manager of the Year 2019” (CHE and DIE ZEIT)
2017: Honorary Doctorate of Waseda University, Tokyo
1986 - 1989: Scholarship from the German Academic Scholarship Foundation

Board and Advisory Appointments (selected)

Alexander von Humboldt Foundation: Member of the Board of Trustees
Center for Development Research (ZEF): Member of the International Advisory Board
Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB): Member of the Foundation Board
Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior – caesar: Member of the Board of Trustees
Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy: Member of the Board of Trustees
Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum: Council Member
U7+ Alliance Presidential Steering Committee: Member

News

University of Bonn Retains Top Spots in 2026 Shanghai Ranking

The University of Bonn remains among the universities with the strongest track records for research in Europe in 2026, retaining 4th spot in Germany and 11th in the EU in the recently published Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), better known as the Shanghai Ranking. Germany’s most successful University of Excellence also took 69th place in a global comparison, meaning that it is still one of the best 100 universities in the world.

University of Bonn’s graduation celebrations move to KUNST!RASEN for the first time

Instead of the usual rock legends, this time the stars taking to KUNST!RASEN in Bonn’s Rheinaue park were the nearly 2,000 graduates of the University of Bonn, who were celebrating the end of their studies at the University of Excellence.

Hands-On Excellence at NRW-Fest in Berlin

The summer festival organized by the office representing the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) at federal government level is one of the highlights of Berlin’s social calendar. When representatives from the worlds of politics, business, media and culture come together for NRW-Fest, you can guarantee that a host of leading figures in state-level policymaking will be out and about. Plus this year was the first in which the University of Bonn ran its own booth.

University of Bonn Honors Four Outstanding Individuals with Its University Medal

The University Medal is the highest honor that the University of Bonn can bestow on its members and its wider community, meaning that it is only ever awarded to people who have rendered truly special service to the University. The medal is presented by the Rectorate and the Senate, which counts representatives of all the University’s status groups among its members. This year, this unique accolade was conferred on to four exceptional individuals during the ceremonial opening of the academic year 2025/26.

University of Bonn One of Germany’s Top Four Universities

The recently published Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) still puts the University of Bonn among the four best universities in Germany. It has been placed 11th in the list of top universities in the EU and 68th in the world.

Most successful University in the competition, having received eight Clusters of Excellence

A huge success for the University of Bonn: today, all six of the University of Bonn's existing Clusters of Excellence were selected for further funding in the nationwide Excellence Competition. In addition, both newly applied Bonn cluster initiatives will receive funding from the federal and state governments. This means that Bonn will be represented by a total of eight clusters in the coming funding period - more than at any other university in Germany.

Carnival meets University - carnival revelers, plaster art and mythical creatures

The University of Bonn has been combining academic excellence with Rhenish cheerfulness for many years. This carnival season, the gates of the University of Excellence are once again wide open for encounters of the jolly kind. The Rector's traditional reception for the Carnival Prince and Bonna was just the beginning...

Change at the top of the Bonn University Council

The University Council of the University of Bonn has a new chairman: The committee unanimously elected the Secretary General of the Volkswagen Foundation, Dr. Georg Schütte, to succeed Prof. Dr. Dieter Engels, who had chaired the University Council since 2013.