Zeppelin University (German: Zeppelin Universität, ZU) is a small and highly selective[2] private research university located at Lake Constance in Friedrichshafen, Germany. It is named after the German general and airship constructor Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin, whose foundation is the main financier of Zeppelin University.[3] The university was established in 2003 and is known for its avant-garde character as well as for a sophisticated selection. On 10. September 2011, ZU was being bestowed the right to award doctorate and habilitation.[4] This comes along with the right to use the title "university" (German: Universität).