Paris Lodron University of Salzburg

Paris Lodron University of Salzburg stands as a major public research university which operates in the scenic Austrian city of Salzburg. The university which was established by Prince Archbishop Paris Lodron exists as a complete part of the citys architectural and cultural heritage through its educational buildings which include both historic sites in the UNESCO World Heritage old town and modern facilities found in the Nonntal and Itzling areas. The university functions as the primary educational establishment in the area which supports a lively academic environment that attracts international researchers. The university provides its students an enjoyable living environment while it upholds social obligations and serves as a key intellectual meeting place which operates in central Europe.

The institution has a long and storied history, originally founded as a Benedictine university in 1622 during the height of the Counter-Reformation. The school operated for almost 200 years until Salzburg became part of the Kingdom of Bavaria during the Napoleonic Wars in 1810 which led to its closure. The university regained its university status through an Austrian National Assembly declaration which occurred in 1962 after its long period of advocacy and planning. The institution demonstrated its 400-year academic history through its celebration of the quatercentenary in 2022 while the institution reorganized its faculties to meet modern scientific and societal requirements.

Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2026, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg is positioned as the #650 top university in the world, which makes it the #6 top university in Austria.