History of LMU Munich in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 1, 2026

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich) is a public research university located in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. Founded in 1472 by Duke Ludwig IX of Bavaria-Landshut as the University of Ingolstadt, it's the sixth-oldest German university in continuous operation. LMU is a comprehensive university offering a wide range of subjects across the humanities, sciences, and medicine, and it is recognized as one of Germany's leading academic and research institutions. Its history is rich with contributions to various fields, and it continues to be a prominent center for learning and innovation.

1903: Women Allowed to Study at Bavarian Universities

From 1903, women were allowed to study at Bavarian universities, marking a significant step towards gender equality in education.

1908: Muhammad Iqbal Earns PhD

In 1908, Pakistani philosopher and poet Sir Muhammad Iqbal earned his PhD degree from LMU Munich, publishing his doctoral thesis, "The Development of Metaphysics in Persia".

1918: Adele Hartmann's Habilitation

In 1918, Adele Hartmann became the first woman in Germany to earn a habilitation (higher doctorate) at LMU Munich.

1918: Max Planck Nobel laureate

Max Planck, the founder of quantum theory and Nobel laureate in Physics in 1918, was an alumnus of the university.

1927: First Summer University

In 1927, the LMU Munich organised its Summer University for the first time, labelled as Sommerkurse für Ausländer (Summer Courses for Foreigners), consisting primarily of German Language courses for international students.

1933: Karl Escherich becomes rector

In 1933, Karl Escherich served as rector at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.

1934: End of Summer University

The Summer University which was organised in 1927 ran annually until 1934.

1936: Leopold Kölbl becomes rector

In 1936, Leopold Kölbl served as rector at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.

1938: Philipp Broemser becomes rector

In 1938, Philipp Broemser served as rector at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.

1941: Walther Wüst becomes rector

In 1941, Walther Wüst served as rector at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.

1943: White Rose Group and Kurt Huber's Dismissal

In 1943, the White Rose group, consisting of anti-Nazi students, carried out a campaign opposing the National Socialists at LMU Munich. The university subsequently removed Kurt Huber, a Nazi opposition fighter, from his position and revoked his doctorate upon his arrest.

1945: Walther Wüst remains rector until 1945

Walther Wüst served as rector at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München until 1945.

1973: Gerhard Ertl professor at LMU

Gerhard Ertl worked as a professor at LMU Munich from 1973 to 1986

1986: Gerhard Ertl leaves LMU

Gerhard Ertl worked as a professor at LMU Munich from 1973 to 1986

1999: Faculty of Forestry Operations Integrated into TU Munich

In 1999, the Faculty of Forestry Operations (number 06) was integrated into the Technical University of Munich.

2005: German Universities Excellence Initiative Launched

In 2005, Germany's state and federal governments launched the German Universities Excellence Initiative to promote top-level research and scholarship, providing funding to over 30 research universities.

October 2006: LMU Munich Receives Funding from Excellence Initiative

On Friday 13 October 2006, LMU Munich was announced to receive funding for all three areas covered by the Excellence Initiative: one graduate school, three "excellence clusters," and general funding for the university's "future concept".

2008: LMU's Summer University operates under the name Munich International Summer University (MISU)

From 2008 onwards LMU's Summer University operates under the name Munich International Summer University (MISU).

January 2012: LMU Enters Guinness Book of World Records

In January 2012, scientists at LMU Munich published details of the most sensitive listening device known so far, leading to the college's induction into the Guinness Book of World Records.

2017: DFG Funding Report

According to the funding report of the German Research Foundation (DFG) of 2021, which breaks down the grants from 2017 to 2019, LMU Munich ranked 1st among German universities. By area, it ranked 1st in the life sciences, 2nd in the humanities and social sciences, and 6th in the natural sciences.

September 2018: Investigation of University Vice President

In September 2018, the Munich public prosecutor's office investigated a university vice president on suspicion of embezzlement for allegedly claiming excessive travel expenses.

November 2018: Expertscape Recognizes LMU for Pancreatic Cancer

In November 2018, Expertscape recognized LMU Munich as one of the top ten institutions in the world in pancreatic cancer.

2019: LMU Takes 1st Place for DAX Board Members

In 2019, LMU Munich took 1st place based on the number of DAX board of management members. The top 3 universities in 2019 were the LMU Munich, the RWTH Aachen and the Technische Universität Darmstadt.

2019: Munich International Summer University

In 2019, around 1000 students from nearly 90 countries joined MISU (Munich International Summer University) short-term programs.

2020: LMU Locks Students in Room During Climate Change Discussion

In the beginning of 2020, the LMU locked around 80 students in a room who wanted to discuss the topic "Climate Burns, University Burns," about why universities are doing research for companies that are harmful to the climate.

2021: DFG Funding Report

2023: Nobel Laureates Associated with LMU Munich

As of 2023, LMU Munich is associated with 50 Nobel laureates, including prominent figures such as Ferenc Krausz, Gerhard Ertl, and Werner Heisenberg.

2023: THE Subject Rankings

In the 2023 THE subject rankings, LMU is ranked first in Germany in the arts and humanities, law, and psychology.

2024: University Funding

In 2024, LMU Munich recorded a total funding of 879.0 million euros without the university hospital, and approximately 2.25 billion euros with the university hospital.

2024: QS Subject Rankings

In the 2024 QS Subject Rankings, LMU Munich is highly ranked in the arts and humanities, natural sciences, and life sciences and medicine.

2024: Times Higher Education Ranking

The Times Higher Education Ranking 2024 ranks LMU Munich 2nd in Germany, and 38th in the world.

2025: Academic Ranking of World Universities

As of 2025, the Academic Ranking of World Universities ranks LMU Munich 1st nationally and 42nd in the world. It is ranked first in Germany in the subjects of physics, education, communication, public administration, and hospitality.