The Heinrich Heine University (HHU) is a public university named after the renowned German poet Heinrich Heine. It was established in 1965 and has grown to become one of the largest universities in Germany, with over 35,000 students. The university is situated in the heart of Düsseldorf, the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia. The university's modern and compact campus is easily accessible, with all buildings, including the university hospital and specialist libraries, within close proximity. This fosters a dynamic and collaborative learning environment. HHU offers a wide range of academic programmes in five faculties: Medicine, Arts and Humanities, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Business and Economics, and Law. The university is renowned for its strong focus on interdisciplinary research and its exceptional number of collaborative research centres, which have contributed to its excellent reputation both nationally and internationally.

HHU has consistently performed well in recent global university rankings. In the 2024 QS World University Rankings, HHU was placed in the 801-850 range globally and 43rd nationally. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 placed HHU in the 251-300 range globally and 116th in Europe. These rankings demonstrate the university's dedication to academic excellence and its growing international recognition.

HHU boasts an impressive roster of notable alumni and faculty members, including scientists, politicians, and artists such as German-Turkish actress Fahriye Evcen, politician Annette Schavan, scientist Karl Lauterbach, and Austrian neuroscientist Melly Oitzl. This diverse and accomplished community reflects the university's ability to nurture talent across various fields. HHU's distinctive selling point is its unwavering dedication to being an open, diverse, and internationally connected institution. With students hailing from over 130 countries and a thriving international research network, the university fosters a global perspective and encourages intercultural exchange. Furthermore, HHU actively engages with the local community through various initiatives, embodying its vision of being a "Citizens' University'' that shares knowledge and contributes to the development of the region.