Heidelberg University
Period of exchange
One or two semesters
Level
Undergraduate/postgraduate
Websites
Heidelberg exchange website
Heidelberg University website
Founded in 1386, Heidelberg University is the oldest university in Germany and can look back on more than 600 years of scientific and scholarly endeavour.
Today, Heidelberg University represents a full-scale, classical, research-oriented university with a broad range of subjects and courses in science, medicine and the humanities. The high degree of external funding, the large number of special research centres, and a proud record of academic distinctions, including eight Nobel Prizes to date, all underscore the University’s outstanding status. In October 2007 the University was awarded the label "Elite University” due to its successful participation in the nationwide Initiative for Excellence contest among German Universities.
University location
Heidelberg, Germany
Student population
27,600
City population
140,000
Find out more
See the Heidelberg University website.
It is no secret that Heidelberg is a jewel among German travel destinations. Heidelberg is located in the Neckar river valley right where the dark Odenwald (Forest of Odes) opens up towards the plains of the Rhine Valley.
The city's urban development, its university life, many fine restaurants, shopping opportunities, cultural offerings and wide variety of annual events all contribute to the worldwide popularity of the city which even Goethe felt had something "quite ideal".
It is the blend of different, thoroughly contrasting characteristics that harmonize to make Heidelberg a fascinating and unique place. The charm of this interplay has inspired artists, stimulated scientists and is an unforgettable experience for all visitors to the city.
Find out more
See the official city of Heidelberg website.
Heidelberg is a comprehensive university with 12 faculties.
Find out more
See the Heidelberg website: Academic Departments (in German)
Language of instruction
In general, teaching and examinations are conducted in German. You should therefore have a solid knowledge of German in order to effectively follow your courses.
Students who need additional support regarding their German language proficiency are offered a large variety of different language programs at the University’s International Study Center. It offers an intensive four-weeks’ language course before the start of the semester as well as language instruction during the semester, supplementing regular university courses.
For an overview of the courses offered see the Heidelberg University website.
Additionally, the International Relations Office (Akademisches Auslandsamt) organizes various language tutorials for international students and provides a tandem service for students who wish to improve their level of class participation.
Exchange students whose language proficiency is not sufficient for taking part in university courses in their subject may be admitted to a full-time German language course upon prior consultation with the Akademische Auslandsamt (20 hours of teaching per week).
Course information
Exchange students are usually admitted in one or two subjects (to be declared on the application form) which they should have studied for at least one year at their home university. Only certain combinations of subjects are possible. Students should explore potential combinations before applying. Should a particular subject combination not be possible, exchange students are still allowed to participate in courses of a subject for which they are not registered with the permission of the relevant professor.
Course restrictions
Please note that it is in general not possible for exchange students to participate in courses offered at the school of medicine and dentistry and that access to courses in biosciences and law is restricted.
Course load
A full time course load for German students is 30 ECTS (European credit Transfer System) per semester, which is roughly 20-25 contact hours in class per week.
Transcripts/Scheine
The structure of the German educational system still differs from that of other countries. Heidelberg University does not have a centralized system of course registration. For some courses, it may not even be necessary to formally register. Thus, an official transcript can not be issued from the University. It is the students' responsibility to you collect a schein for each course.
For more information on how to obtain the official records (scheine) of your courses at Heidelberg University see the Heidelberg University website: Receiving credit.
Every semester, the Akademisches Auslandsamt organizes Orientation Days to introduce new international students to Heidelberg and to the German university system. These days usually take place in the week before lectures start and consist of a number of events and presentations covering a wide range of academic and social issues. You will receive a registration form for the Orientation Days with your letter of admission. The program for the Orientation Days will be posted on the Internet shortly before the start of the semester.
Find out more
See the Heidelberg University website
