The University of Duisburg-Essen, known in German as Universität Duisburg-Essen (UDE), is a vibrant public research university that emerged from the union of the universities in Duisburg and Essen in 2003. This merger has created an institution that now educates over 40,000 students, making it one of the largest universities in Germany. Spanning two main urban campuses in Duisburg and Essen, within the densely populated Ruhr region of North Rhine-Westphalia, UDE integrates into the urban spaces of these cities, offering a unique mix of modern educational facilities and green spaces.

One of the unique aspects of UDE is its dual-campus nature, which fosters a rich cultural and intellectual exchange between the cities of Duisburg and Essen. This setup not only provides a diverse range of facilities and activities for students but also symbolises the university's role as a bridge connecting the communities and industries of the Ruhr region. The university's Duisburg campus leans towards engineering, sciences, and mathematics, while the Essen campus is noted for humanities, social sciences, and health sciences. This broad academic spectrum is enriched with unique and specialised programs like Water Science, Nano Engineering, and Urban Systems. UDE is particularly recognized for its research strength in areas such as nanotechnology, biomedical sciences, urban systems, and educational sciences. 

The university has also achieved top positions in other international rankings, reflecting its growing global reputation. Nationally, UDE was ranked 31st in the DFG Funding Ranking, which measures research funding. As a member of the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr), UDE works closely together with the neighbouring universities of Bochum and Dortmund. The university is also part of several international networks, enhancing its global reach and offering students numerous opportunities for exchange and international collaboration.