Kiel University Demands More Money - Jobs and Subjects at Risk - Schleswig-Holstein universities face collapse without urgent financial rescue
Two universities in Schleswig-Holstein are facing serious financial challenges. Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (CAU) has warned of potential cuts to professorships and degree programmes if funding does not improve. Meanwhile, Europa-Universität Flensburg has already imposed a hiring freeze and is struggling to maintain operations with dwindling reserves.
CAU officials have criticised the current funding model as insufficient for a university based in the state capital. They argue that the existing budget does not cover essential needs, including infrastructure upgrades and a planned data centre. To address the shortfall, the university has frozen hiring for nine months and is pushing for a stronger core budget if the state secures extra funds in the future. Without reliable long-term financial planning, CAU warns of deeper structural cuts.
Europa-Universität Flensburg is in a similarly tight position. The institution has exhausted its financial and personnel reserves after years of fulfilling its expanded role in socially critical fields. Since March 2025, it has halted new hires and is now planning for 2027, focusing only on meeting existing obligations with limited resources. Like CAU, Flensburg's base budget has failed to keep up with its growing responsibilities.
Neither university has provided detailed financial records for comparison, leaving gaps in data on state funding, personnel, energy, or infrastructure costs over the past five years.
Both CAU and Flensburg are calling for urgent financial support to avoid further cuts. CAU's demands include better base funding and stable planning, while Flensburg is already operating under strict austerity measures. Without intervention, both institutions risk further reductions in staffing, programmes, and essential services.
