The Alliance of Rhine-Main Universities

Published: 21st February 2022, last edit: 10th March 2025

The RMU sees itself not only as a platform for joint learning and research, but also as an engine for interaction at various levels. There is close networking between the three universities and with the region. Exchanges in science management and administration are actively promoted, while job shadowing and the reciprocal opening of internal further education courses strengthen cooperation.

In addition to university cooperation, the Rhine-Main universities also work intensively with non-university research, industry, international organisations and cultural institutions in order to dynamically develop the Frankfurt-Rhine-Main science region. These collaborations also strengthen the transfer of knowledge and mutual support between the various players.

In addition, there is the Startup Academy to further promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. The RMU and its start-up centers are working together on the project. These are HIGHEST (TU Darmstadt), Goethe-Unibator and JGU Startup Center as well as the Startup Office of Mainz University Medicine. This means that start-up teams will receive even better support and start-up advice will be expanded.

As internationally oriented universities, the Rhine-Main Universities aim to further enhance their presence and attractiveness in the global education market. This is achieved not only through connections with partners in business and society but also through participation in programmes such as the Mercator Science-Policy Fellowship Programme, which brings together researchers and leaders from politics and society. A structured exchange of perspectives fosters dialogue between academia and decision-makers.

Additionally, the universities are actively involved in the Dual Career Network Rhein-Main to enhance the region’s professional appeal, particularly for researchers relocating to the area with their partners.

The strategic alliance of the three universities also supports early-career researchers. Postdocs benefit from tailored programmes designed to facilitate their transition into the non-academic job market. To this end, networking and career events are offered, rotating across the different university locations to foster exchange between institutions.

Maria is studying Medical Engineering, a cooperative degree programme established within the RMU framework. Her studies take place between TU Darmstadt and Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main. We asked her about her experience, what a typical week looks like, and how she benefits from this exciting collaboration: “When I discovered the Medical Engineering programme, I thought it was cool that Frankfurt was included as a second location. At first, I couldn’t quite imagine how studying at two universities would actually work. But it quickly became clear: we simply spend one day a week in Frankfurt. That accounts for 20 percent of the courses in my studies. In Frankfurt, we have lectures in the morning, followed by seminars in the afternoon, and at the end of the semester, we take some of our exams there. The other 80 percent of the coursework takes place at TU Darmstadt, where we learn the fundamentals of electrical engineering, mathematics, and physics.

Of course, besides lectures and seminars, we also take part in practical training in electrical engineering and medicine, gaining hands-on insights into various disciplines. Over time, the boundaries start to blur more and more. For instance, we have a medical engineering internship in Darmstadt, as well as biomechanics and biomaterials courses in Frankfurt. These subjects are no longer just about the human body itself but rather about the methods and materials used on or inside the body.

The learning materials are provided to us online via TU Darmstadt’s platforms, including those from Goethe University Frankfurt. However, sometimes I do notice that I’m studying at two different universities. There are different teaching concepts and structures, which is also due to the fact that I’m studying two very different disciplines. Electrical engineering is taught in a completely different way than medicine. The organization differs as well. In Frankfurt, for some courses, we don’t have a single fixed lecturer but rather multiple specialists from different medical fields. For example, in radiology, we learn from experts in MRI, X-ray imaging, and CT scanning.Another advantage is that, while students usually organise their schedules quite independently—with a seminar here and a lecture there—our one fixed study day in Frankfurt automatically adds more structure to our routine. There’s also a semester-long plan, so we always know what to expect, which is really convenient. One of the best things about studying in Frankfurt is taking a walk along the Main river or having lunch there when we have extra time, the campus is located right by the water.

Applying for the joint degree programme was as simple as applying for any other programme—I just applied through TU Darmstadt. However, I study at both universities and even have two student IDs. With our semester ticket, we can easily travel to Frankfurt for our classes and also have access to the libraries at both locations. And if any issues arise, there are contact persons at both universities who are there to support us. I’m so happy with my studies that I plan to continue with a master’s degree in Medical Engineering and keep studying in both Darmstadt and Frankfurt.”

We haven’t even mentioned the joint research efforts of the RMU yet! The Rhine-Main Universities collaborate to refine their research profiles and develop joint projects and research alliances. With their broad range of disciplines, they tackle key interdisciplinary scientific questions of the future.

Through this collaboration, internationally visible research priorities are established, allowing the universities to connect across disciplines and position the Rhine-Main region as an integrated, globally attractive, and competitive hub for science.

Since 2016, 16 joint research projects have been funded through the Initiative Fund for Research, receiving multimillion-euro support. These include fascinating projects such as the development of 3D-printed bone replacements—super interesting, right? But that’s not all! There are outstanding research collaborations across various fields that you should definitely check out!

Besides the third-party funded collaborative research projects, including more than two DFG-funded special research areas and transregios, in which two or all three universities are significantly involved, this scientific space is also further expanded through innovative networks and the excellence strategies of the universities. The strategic alliance of the Rhine-Main universities commits itself to a free, open, and transparent science, which is considered an essential factor for scientific progress and the transformation of society.

Do you feel like thinking outside the box? Then look towards the various options available to RMU students. Maybe you would like to experience other lectures and departments here and there. Taking an additional lecture in economics or politics is particularly easy. And a breath of fresh air at a different campus can sometimes be quite nice. Especially if it means you can go for a walk along the rivers Rhine in Mainz or Main in Frankfurt before heading home.

If you would like to read more reports about experiences at RMU, you can check out the articles by Enes and Merve. David and Ceylan are also getting a taste of other disciplines in their studies.