At the time the Saarland found itself in the special situation of being partly autonomous and linked to France by economic and monetary union.

With its combination of the German and French educational traditions and the dual languages of instruction, the university had a European perspective right from the start.

The senate, consisting of nine professors, three students, three academic and two administrative staff members, acts as the legislative branch.

The university science park provides a startup incubator and a technology/research transfer environment for companies mostly focused on IT, nanotechnology and biotechnology.

With its numerous degree programmes and the variety of final qualifications offered (Diplom, Magister, PhD, state examinations and, increasingly, bachelor and master qualifications), Saarland University provides the broad spectrum of disciplines typical of a classical universitas litterarum.

The more traditional subjects such as business administration and economics, law and medicine are just as much a part of Saarland University as the new degree programmes that have developed from modern interdisciplinary collaborations and which reflect the increasing demand for such qualifications in today's job market.

[13] The university's standing was slightly higher in the ARWU World 2022 rankings, where it was positioned within the 501–600 range globally and between 32nd and 36th nationally.

Cycling from the university to the city or a short wander in the forest close to campus are favorites of students and faculty.