The University of Kaiserslautern was founded on the 13th July, 1970. Earlier it was part of the twin University Trier / Kaiserslautern. In the winter semester 1970 / 1971 student and scientific activities started with the matriculation of 191 new students the faculties in Mathematics, Physics and Technology. In 1972 the set-up of the faculties Chemistry and Biology gave a boost to the extension of a scientifically specialized structure. At the same time the faculty of Technology was split into the faculties Mechanical Engineering and Electrotechnology, Architecture / Regional and Environmental Planning / Educational Sciences. The University of Kaiserslautern became independent after the separation from its partner University Trier in 1975. The following faculties, which were established successively, continuously strengthened the University's scientific character: Electrotechnology (1975), later Electro and Computer Science Technology (1999), Computer Science (1975), Engineering (1975), later Mechanical and Process Engineering (1995), Architecture / Regional and Environmental Planning / Civil Engineering (1978-1979) and Social and Economic Studies (1985). The official name of the University is "Technische Universität Kaiserslautern" (University of Technology) according to the new law on Higher Education of the Land Rhineland Palatinate which came into force on the 1st September 2003.

Future-oriented courses, education with practical orientation and a modern infrastructure: these are the conditions for students at the University of Kaiserslautern. Since its establishment in 1970 the only technology and natural-scientific oriented University in Rhineland-Palatinate has gained a considerable reputation and can easily stand comparison with well-established Universities of Technology. Incontestable proof is provided by the latest German university rankings which were carried out by the magazines stern, Spiegel and CHE Centrum für Hochschulentwicklung (Centre for University Development). The University of Kaiserslautern achieved top positions in different categories.

Prospective engineers and natural scientists are well-prepared for their career if they study at the University of Kaiserslautern. Internships in companies as well as living / studying abroad provide an academic education which is closely related to the professional practice. Furthermore, students profit from the numerous well-known research institutes on campus. Regarding applied research projects the institutes closely cooperate with the University. There are, for example, the Deutsche Forschungszentrum für Künstliche Intelligenz (German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence), the Institut für Verbundwerkstoffe (Institute for Composite Materials), the Fraunhofer Institut für Experimentelles Software Engineering (Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering) and the Fraunhofer Institut für Techno- und Wirtschaftsmathematik (Fraunhofer Institute for Technical and Industrial Mathematics).

Currently there are approximately 10,500 students enrolled at the university. Due to this manageable size an excellent support is guaranteed and a close relationship between professor and student can be built up. In addition, the university offers a very modern equipment and a brilliant infrastructure including libraries, laboratories, its own computer centre and much more. Accommodation for students is satisfactory, too: near the campus there are more than 2,000 resident hall facilities, where students can use the internet free of charge. The campus of the University of Kaiserslautern is located idyllically near a forest and has much more on offer than just an excellent education. University sports offer a wide range of activities and excursions and are therefore an important part of leisure activities. In the evenings, the cultural atmosphere on the campus is livened up by concerts, shows, films and exhibitions. Everybody can enjoy their hobbies in the numerous student work groups, such as astronomy, photography or stock exchange games. The leisure time activities of the University of Kaiserslautern are rounded off by the Summer Festival and the famous Old Town Festival (Altstadtfest).

By the way, the Soccer World Championship 2006 took place in Kaiserslautern, too.