The Université de Lausanne (UNIL) is a higher teaching and research institution composed of seven faculties with approximately 15,600 students and about 3,900 research, teaching and technical staff. Its research activities focus on three main themes: human and social sciences, life sciences and medicine, and environmental sciences. Tracing its roots back to the School of Theology in 1537, UNIL was granted University status in 1890 and since then has consistently ranked among the top universities in Switzerland. It has many notable alumni including several Presidents, members of royalty and notable scholars. Situated on the shore of Lake Geneva, the campus offers plenty of open space, and extracurricular outdoor activities are popular with students.