Destination Heidelberg
Heidelberg University
Academic Departments at Heidelberg University
Subject/ Major Selection
General Structure of Studies
Language of coursework/ German Language Proficiency
What international students say about Heidelberg
Heidelberg University
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.
http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/excellence/index.html
Though it is receptive to modern developments, Heidelberg has retained its character as a "romantic” place of study. The high quality of education and research and the town’s beautiful natural setting and its historic sights – the crooked streets of the Old Town, the Philosophers’ Way and the Castle are always favoured destinations – attract visitors, students and scholars from all over the world. They all contribute to the city’s open-minded and cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Currently, around 27,600 students study in one of the university’s twelve faculties, more than 5,000 are foreign students. With some 20% of its students hailing from as many as 130 different countries, Heidelberg is clearly a front runner among Germany’s traditional universities also in
this respect.
More information about the University’s history, structure and organisation can be found at:
http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/university/welcome/
Academic Departments at Heidelberg University
Please find informaion on the twelve faculties and their departments at:
http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/studium/interesse/faecher/fakultaeten.html
Subject/ Major Selection
Exchange students are admitted to the University as Kurzzeitstudenten (visiting students) and are not eligible to receive a degree from the University. 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. If you need further counseling, please contact your exchange coordinator at the Akademische Auslandsamt.
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.
General Structure of Studies
Like most other German universities, Heidelberg University is currently undergoing a major reorganization by introducing Bachelor (3 years) and Master (2 years of study) Degrees in most of its disciplines.
The full transition to the Bachelor/Master structure will be completed by 2009/2010 (with the exception of state examination degrees in law, medicine, pharmacy and teaching).
In the traditional degree programs, the standard period of study is 8 - 10 semesters.
There are two phases: the Grundstudium (usually lasting four semesters) completed through the Zwischenprüfung or Vordiplom; and the Hauptstudium, (lasting at least another four to five semesters, but often longer) completed through a Diplom, Magister or Staatsexamen depending on the course of study.
For the time being, both systems are in place (i.e. Bachelor/Master structure and the traditional German study course structure).
Language of coursework/ German Language Proficiency
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. An overview of the courses offered can be found at:
http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/zentral/isz/E_index.html
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).
What international students say about Heidelberg
The best advice I can give to people considering study abroad is to just do it! It was one of the best decisions I’ve made and has given me some of the best experiences of my life. It was difficult at times, but so very rewarding. I grew so much personally and academically. If you are unsure that your language skills are good enough, consider this: immersion in the German language turned a scared and timid kid who could barely order fast food into a confident and comfortable conversationalist. I never thought I would be able to consider myself fluent, but now I have no doubt that I am. It’s amazing to be able to think in another language!
Once you get to Germany, buy a rail pass from Deutsche Bahn. If you plan on doing any traveling in our outside of Germany, these passes can greatly reduce the cost of tickets.
Pack light! You may be living there for a time, but you will doubtless acquire stuff you will want to bring back with you. My return trip was much heavier than my initial departure.
Keep an open mind! The best way to get over culture shock is to have an open mind and take everything for what it is. Life is definitely different in other places, but different does not mean bad. If you don’t focus on the differences between your native culture and the one you suddenly find yourself in, you will start to see the beauty and wonder that different cultures possess.
Document as much as possible. Get a decent camera and keep a journal. The memories you gain in your time abroad will be ones you treasure for the rest of your life.p>
Most important of all, have fun!
Chris Vincent, University of Utah, USA
2008-09
While school has been an all round positive and beneficial experience, what I have found most enriching throughout my time in Heidelberg is the opportunity I have had to participate in the various choirs in this area. A fulfilling experience was working with the choir Capella Carolina directed by Franz Wassermann in the Max Weber Haus. The people in this choir are fantastic and I have made so many friends with Germans and international students since singing with them over the last two semesters. For anyone wishing to come into closer contact with the local residents, I would strongly recommend joining a club or a choir.
Darryl Cremasco, Wilfrid Laurier University, Kanada
2006-07
Ich hatte die Chance an der ältesten Universität Deutschlands zu studieren und konnte beobachten wie sich die Mischung aus Tradition und Bildung in der Universität und der Stadt Heidelberg widerspiegeln. Wo sonst erlebt man einen Philosophie-Professor, der in der Vorlesung von persönlichen Kaffee-Treffen mit einigen der wichtigsten Philosophen der Neuzeit erzählt!
Susann Arjang, University of Ottawa, Kanada
2006-2007
At the University of Heidelberg there are a number of groups specifically designed to assist foreign students understand life in Germany, and to get to know both German and other foreigners who are in a similar situation. The Akademische Auslandsamt organizes inexpensive excursions so that foreign students can see many cities that may have otherwise been all but impossible. The excursions also came with a "Reiseführung” so that the partakers could learn about the history and important facts of the city.
Jennifer Elyse Krupp, University of Georgia, USA
2006-2007
In spite of the unavoidable stress of preparing to spend time in a foreign country, studying at the University of Heidelberg has been a life changing experience which will continue to enrich my study of German literature at home. The classes were challenging without being sources of unbearable stress and the professors very understanding of the various needs of foreign exchange students who often need to turn in papers and assignments earlier than other students. Visiting the many classes spread throughout the beautiful and historically rich city of Heidelberg was a source of education in itself and I feel fortunate to have had this opportunity.
Abigail Lynn Erkman, University of Kentucky, USA
2006-2007
It is a fruitful year in Heidelberg because here is a real international university with people coming from all over the world. I have learnt not only the culture of Germany, but also culture from many countries which I could hardly encounter when I was in Hong Kong. The international communication is very interesting and important to me which for sure has widened my horizons.
Mit melancholischer Euphorie kam ich her
Mit euphorischer Melancholie gehe ich fort
Das ist mein Austauschjahr in Deutschland.
Aus Liebe kam ich her
Aus Liebe geh ich fort
Wie nehme ich nun Abschied von Heidelberg?
(…)
Vermisse!: Über dem Neckar der dichte Nebel blühte
In Morgenwolken waren das Schloss und die Alte Brücke gehüllt
Unterm bunten Abendleuchten mich im Philosophenweg verirrte
(…)
Mit melancholischer Euphorie kam ich her
Mit euphorischer Melancholie gehe ich fort
Das ist mein liebliches Jahr in Heidelberg.
Aus Liebe kam ich her
Aus Liebe geh ich fort
Ach, wie widerstrebt mir der Abschied
Vom unsterblichen Heidelberg!
Qingzhen Wu, Tsinghua University, Peking, China
2006-2007