It was founded in 1665 as the Academia Holsatorum Chiloniensis by Christian Albert, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp and has approximately 27,000 students today.

Additionally, the growing involvement of citizens in significant administrative roles contributed to the idea of establishing a university in the duchies.

Eventually, Duke Friedrich III commissioned his son, Christian Albrecht, to advance the founding of the university.

[4][5] A significant growth period for the university occurred a century later under Russian Empress Catherine the Great, from whom it received its colors, purple and white.

[4] During the Nazi regime starting in 1933, the university experienced Gleichschaltung, the expulsion of Jewish professors, and the persecution of dissenters.

In World War II, many buildings were destroyed by Allied air raids, including the university library in 1942.

According to the 2024 QS World University Rankings, the institution is globally positioned at 530 and holds the 33rd place nationally.

[21][22] The award's criteria include extraordinary academic achievements, a broad intellectual horizon and political or social involvement.