The
University of Göttingen (,
GAU), known informally as
Georgia Augusta, is a public comprehensive research
university in the city of
Göttingen, Germany. Founded in 1734 by
George II, King of Great Britain and Elector of
Hanover, and starting classes in 1737, the university is the oldest in the state of
Lower Saxony and the largest in student enrollment, which stands at around 26,000. The university is highly renowned and respected both in Germany and throughout the world. This reputation has thus shaped Göttingen into a university city with a high student and faculty population.