Founded in 2003, Universität Duisburg-Essen (University of Duisburg-Essen) is a non-profit public higher-education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Essen (population range of 500,000-1,000,000 inhabitants), North Rhine-Westphalia. This institution also has a branch campus in Duisburg. Officially recognized by the Ministerium für Kultur und Wissenschaft des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen (Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia), Universität Duisburg-Essen (UDE) is a very large coeducational German higher education institution. Universität Duisburg-Essen (UDE) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. UDE also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.