Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München was founded in 1472, when Duke Ludwig IX the Wealthy of Bavaria-Landshut established Bavaria’s first university in Ingolstadt. LMU describes itself as a self-governing public corporation and a State entity, divided into a Central Administration and 18 faculties, each with its own faculty council.
Its University Executive Board has eleven members: the President and ten Vice Presidents. LMU reports 52,658 students enrolled in winter semester 2025/26, and 840 professors researching and teaching at LMU and its Hospital in 2024. Sponsored research funds acquired by LMU and its Hospital, including University of Excellence funding, totalled 330 million euros in 2024. Matthias H. Tschöp, previously head of Helmholtz Munich and Vice President of the Helmholtz Association for Health Research, has been President since 1 October 2025.