Application Procedure Information
Application forms for the first subject-related semester
Additional documents required to apply for an advanced semester (“transfer”)
Subsidiary subject (“minor”) and focus area
Application deadlines and modalities
General Information
Non-consecutive and continuing master’s degree programmes
Applications for non-consecutive master’s programmes and continuing master’s programmes are always processed directly by the respective institute or department. You can find general information on the application forms here. Additional information can be found at Application Deadlines and Modalities.
Consecutive master’s degree programmes
The various consecutive master’s programmes differ in that some are only admission-restricted, while others also have an additional local cap (which limits the number of university places). Still others require a selection interview/test during the admission process. Consult the catalogue of subjects to find out which category your prospective programme falls under.
Restricted admission
In restricted consecutive master’s programmes, the admissions procedure differs based on the nationality of the applicant.
- German applicants for admission-restricted consecutive master’s programmes can register up until the last work day before classes begin without prior application with the central university administration. You must, however, submit your degree certificate and all other necessary documents (see regulations for admission) to the academic coordinator for the particular master’s programme. The admission requirements are reviewed there. If the requirements have been met, you will be issued a certificate confirming that you can enrol in the first subject-related semester of the master’s degree programme. Only if you have this certificate can you register at Heidelberg University up until the start of classes for the semester. Click here for more information on registration.
- International applicants must submit their applications for admission-restricted master’s programmes to the International Relations Office by the deadline – by 15 June for the winter semester and by 15 November for the summer semester. Please use the following application form for admission to a master’s programme and submit it along with the other required documents.
Admission-restricted and locally capped programmes and/or with selection interview during the admission procedure
Applicants for master’s degree programmes that are admission-restricted and locally capped should apply through the online application portal of central university administration during the application periods specified. This also applies to all master’s degree programmes that require an interview as part of the admission process. Click here for more information on application documentation.
Application forms for the first subject-related semester
- Printout of the on-line application form or printout of the subject-specific application for admission
- Applications for non-consecutive Master’s programmes or continuing education Master’s programmes must be submitted using the subject-specific application form.
-
A copy of the university entrance qualification (e. g. Abitur, High School Diploma, Matura)
- International applicants must submit certified copies of their original foreign certificates along with a translation in German, English, or French.
-
Copies of tertiary education / university certificates (transcript).
- If the degree has not been awarded yet at the time of the application deadline, you have to submit a provisional certificate issued by the university, certifying the study achievements completed so far (transcript) and the confirmation that you will have completed the programme in question before the start of the semester for which you are seeking admission.
- In case of foreign certificates you have to submit certified copies along with translations in German, English, or French.
Additional documents
-
Please consult the programme webpages to find out exactly which specific additional documents you may need to attach to the application for admission to your desired programme, e. g.
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Language certificates
- Certficates of vocational training, work, or other achievements
- Abstract of the thesis you submitted in order to obtain your previous degree
Special Application
- In the restricted consecutive master’s programmes, Heidelberg University sets aside up to 5 percent of the study places available for cases of extraordinary hardship. Before submitting this special form along with your application, please read the following information sheet carefully. Cases of hardship are approved only under exceptional circumstances; examples are provided in information sheet.
Additional documents required to apply for an advanced semester (“transfer”)
The catalogue of subjects defines which master’s programmes are admission-restricted, even in the higher semesters.
If you would like to be admitted to an advanced subject-related semester in an only admission-restricted master’s programme, please contact the respective faculty or the academic advisor in charge of the Master’s programme. You need to obtain confirmation of suitability from them for higher-semester study in the admission-restricted programmes in order to be able to register on time.
Should the Master´s Programme of your choice be admission restricted and locally capped in an advanced semester, please apply via the online application portal for masters programs in an advanced semester with the central university administration by 15 January for the summer semester, and 15 July for the winter semester.
In addition to the documentation specified in the regulations for admission, you must also submit the following to apply for an advanced semester:
- A certificate of matriculation of the last University of your enrolment regarding the subject you are applying for.
-
For lateral entrants into an advanced semester of an admission-restricted master’s programme, a certificate of transferable credits.
- Please note that the certificate of transferable credits can be submitted up to one month after the application deadline has passed.
- If you are a transfer student applying to the master’s of psychology programme, please also submit a certificate of transferable credits no later than four weeks after the application deadline.
- Under certain circumstances it is possible to apply as a transfer student for a special application, preferential consideration of the choice of the study site requested. Please read the following information sheet carefully.
Subsidiary Subject („minor“) and Focus Area
Structure
The consecutive Master’s programmes offered at Heidelberg University follow two different structures:
- subject-related consecutive Master’s programmes without a subsidiary subject (minor)
- subject-related consecutive Master’s programmes with a subsidiary subject (minor)
The structure of your desired Master’s programme is defined in the respective examination rules and regulations, or on the webpages of the respective faculty. If a subsidiary subject is required, the eligible subsidiary subjects are defined in the examination rules and regulations.
In some of the Master’s programmes you have the possibility to concentrate on one area of focus. To learn more, please consult the respective examination rules and regulations, or the webpages of the respective Master’s programmes.
You will be asked to state your desired subsidiary subject and / or area of focus during the on-line application procedure or in the subject-specific admission form.
Application Deadlines and Modalities
You are required to submit a written application in due time and form to Heidelberg University in order to participate in the application and selection procedure for Master’s programmes in any of the subjects.
