The renewal after German reunification resulted in a significant change in personnel. Between 1989 and 1994, almost 3,000 academics left the university sector, partly due to age, but mostly for political, professional or structural reasons. In particular, 170 people working in the economics department lost their jobs due to Wilhelm Krelle's efforts.[31] The student body became more critical in the course of this opening, and in 1989 UnAufgefordert, the HU's independent student newspaper, was founded.[32]
The Humboldt University gave itself a new academic structure: research and teaching content was evaluated, changed and redefined. In 1990, Heinrich Fink was elected as the free rector of the HUB for the first time.[33][34]
Since German reunification, Berlin has had four universities that try to coordinate their study plans. Traditional courses were restructured as part of the study reform, the range of courses was placed on a modern and internationally comparable basis and research was realigned and strengthened.
Graduate School for Doctoral Candidates, 2014
The renewal enabled Humboldt University to regain its reputation and attractiveness in research and teaching. This development is also documented by the considerable funding from the German Research Foundation, which flows to Humboldt University and is seen as an indicator of scientific success. Close contacts and cooperation with industry strengthen the university's roots in society.
Since 1994, the university has had eleven faculties and several interdisciplinary centers and central institutes. With over 300 properties in Berlin and Brandenburg, it is one of the most important location factors in the region. In 1992/1993, 20,425 people studied at the university. In 2004/2005, there were 40,828 students (including Charité). Since then, almost all courses of study have been subject to admission restrictions. Due to the attractive location for young people in the cultural metropolis of Berlin, a total of 25,750 high school graduates applied for only 3,455 study places in 2007.[35] 5,791 (14.1 percent) foreign students from more than 100 countries studied and researched at Humboldt University. In the same year, the HU Graduate School was inaugurated.[36]
In 2022, there were 3,040 doctoral students (excluding Charité members) at Humboldt University.[