Five years ago, our journey of establishing a technical university in Nuremberg, ready for a rapidly evolving world of technology, commenced. The strategic ambition of the UTN is to become regionally anchored, internationally excellent, innovative in education, research and transfer and agile in governance. Our graduates are meant to become leaders who will make our society and economy more resilient and rooted in democratic values. Our AI focus is visible in strong professorial appointments, two interdisciplinary Master Programs and the thematic areas of our current Departments. We will celebrate our anniversary throughout 2026, foremost as a salute to our partners, to the wonderful scientific and science-support staff and to our students who, collectively, will work towards reaching our ambitions in the next five years.
Prof. Dr. Michael Huth, Founding President
UTN in Development: Key Milestones at a Glance
Founded with a Vision for the Future
The University of Technology Nuremberg (UTN) was officially established on January 1, 2021, as the first new state university in Bavaria since 1978. It follows a consistently interdisciplinary, international, and digital approach and positions itself as a model university that connects engineering, natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences.
UTN began operations on January 1, 2021, as Bavaria’s tenth state university. Dr. Markus Zanner is appointed Head of Administration and receives the university’s first employee number. On March 1, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Hans Jürgen Prömel assumes the role of UTN’s first Founding President.(Copyright: Marcus Rebmann)
A major step in UTN’s visual identity followed on July 22, 2022, when the university’s new logo was unveiled by Finance Minister Albert Füracker, Science Minister Markus Blume, and Prof. Dr. Hans Jürgen Prömel.
On October 1, 2024, Prof. Dr. Michael Huth succeeds Prof. Dr. Prömel as Founding President of UTN. He joins the university from Imperial College London, one of the world’s leading universities.
Strengthening UTN’s administration, Prof. Dr. Michael Fraas took on the role of Head of Administration on September 1, 2025, following his work for the City of Nuremberg.(Copyright: Axel König)
Rethinking Research
From the very beginning, UTN has implemented a new organizational and teaching model. Instead of traditional faculties, the university operates with departments modeled on international standards, enabling research, teaching, and knowledge transfer across disciplinary boundaries. The first department, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, was established in early 2022. Nearly a year later, the Department of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences followed. An additional department is currently in preparation.
On February 1, 2022, Prof. Dr. Burgard assumes the role of Founding Chair of UTN’s first department, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (formerly Engineering).(Copyright: Eye-D Fotodesign)
In March 2023, UTN appoints Prof. Gyburg Uhlmann as Founding Chair of its second department, Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
Starting in April 2023, Prof. Dr. Alexander Martin serves as Founding Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at UTN. (Copyright: Eye-D Fotodesign)
In October 2025, UTN and the Bavarian State Office for Taxes formalize an AI cooperation agreement. The contract is signed with Project Lead Prof. Dr. Josif Grabocka, Minister of Finance and Home Affairs Albert Füracker, and Founding President Prof. Dr. Michael Huth (Copyright: Andre DeGeare)
Distinctive Study Programs
A major milestone was reached in the winter semester 2023/24, when UTN launched its academic programs with the English-taught Master’s program AI & Robotics. One year later, a second Master’s program, Human and Artificial Intelligence, followed. UTN’s first Bachelor’s program is planned to begin in the winter semester 2027/28.
All study programs are closely aligned with the university’s focus on artificial intelligence and are designed around key future-oriented topics. UTN’s innovative teaching and learning concept is based on principles of active learning and insights from learning research. It places students’ learning activities and the reflection of their learning processes at the center of teaching.
Since December 21, 2021, Prof. Dr. Isa Jahnke has served as Founding Vice President for Studies, Teaching, and International Affairs at the University of Technology Nuremberg.
With the symbolic press of a buzzer, Founding Vice President Prof. Jahnke, Founding President Prof. Dr. Prömel, and Founding Chair Prof. Dr. Burgard officially open applications for UTN’s first study program.
In October 2023, UTN launches its first academic program. The inaugural cohort of the Master’s program AI and Robotics is welcomed, among others, by Nuremberg’s Mayor Marcus König.
During the winter semester 2025/26, about 80 students from around the world begin their studies at UTN. At the same time, the university launches its second Master’s program, Human and Artificial Intelligence.
A Campus in the Making
The university’s first physical home was the office complex the plant at Ulmenstraße 52. At the same time, a new campus is taking shape in the south of Nuremberg on an area of approximately 37 hectares. In the long term, the campus is designed to accommodate up to 6,000 students. With the opening of the first campus building, Cube One, in fall 2024, parts of the administration and the university leadership moved to the site.
In fall 2025, UTN added another location at Nordostpark. Starting in 2026, the construction of additional buildings on the campus is planned, creating dedicated space for research and teaching.
UTN’s first location is the interim building at Ulmenstraße 52. Until the first campus building is completed, administration, research, and teaching are based here. (Copyright: Andreas Vallbracht)
ocated in the south of Nuremberg, the campus site covers an area of approximately 37 hectares and is planned to become an academic home for up to 6,000 students. (Copyright: Aurelis)
On August 27, 2021, the ceremonial groundbreaking for the campus takes place, attended among others by Minister President Dr. Markus Söder and Lord Mayor Marcus König. (Copyright: Marcus Rebmann)
In November 2022, the cornerstone is laid for the first campus building, Cube One, with Lord Mayor Marcus König, Minister President Dr. Markus Söder, and State Ministers Christian Bernreiter and Markus Blume. (Copyright: Dieter Zeitler)
Completed in February 2023, the architectural model presents the campus master plan and structural framework. (Copyright: Ferdinand Heide Architekt / TOPOS Stadtplanung Landschaftsplanung Stadtforschung)
October 2024 marks a key milestone with the opening of Cube One, UTN’s first building on campus. Parts of the administration and university leadership move into the timber-hybrid structure. (Copyright: Stefan Meyer)
In fall 2025, UTN opens its third location at Nordostpark, providing additional space for teaching and research.
Looking ahead, the Learning Hub will create a central space for teaching on campus and is scheduled to open in the winter semester 2027/28. In addition, five founding buildings will provide dedicated space for research. (Copyright: rendertaxi GmbH)
