The non-profit CHE Centre for Higher Education is an independent and implementation orientated think tank with an international perspective. The main focus is on the German and European higher education. We are convinced that the scientific system should be versatile to be able to offer, amid changing conditions, optimal and differentiated development opportunities to all those who want to participate in it. We operate at two levels, namely the scientific system level and the level of the individual institutions in it and we advocate suitable framework conditions that enable higher education and research institutions to act autonomously. We pursue and support developments, changes in the science system as well as socio-political and economic targets in a constructive and critical way. We point out positive results and negative developments based on solid evaluations. We draw up studies and opinions on relevant higher education research issues. In doing so we focus on manageable recommendations and their practical implementation. With our differentiated and internationally recognised ranking and other offers of information, we create transparency in regards to the activities and developments on both levels, individual higher education institutions and the scientific system. The ranking is principally a service offer with information for prospective students.