Getting started
Important dates to plan your stay
Applying to Heidelberg University
Arranging accommodations
Residence Permits
Important dates to plan your stay
The academic year is divided into two semesters. The winter semester runs from September 1st to February 28th and the summer semester from March 1st to August 31st. Classes are held from mid-October to mid-February and from mid-April to mid-July.
| Fall/Winter term (Wintersemester) 2012/2013 |
September 1, 2012 to February 28, 2013 |
| Deadline for Applications to the University |
June 15, 2012 |
| Preparatory German Language Course for Exchange Students |
September 5 to 28, 2012 |
| Lecture period | October 15, 2012 to February 9, 2013 |
| Orientation | October 8 - 15, 2012 |
| Christmas break |
December 22, 2012 to January 6, 2013 |
| Spring/Summer Term (Sommersemester) 2013 |
March 1, 2013 to August 31, 2013 |
| Deadline for Applications to the University |
December 15, 2012 |
|
Preparatory German Language |
March 2 - 28, 2013 |
| Lecture period | April 15, 2013 to July 27, 2013 |
| Orientation | beginning of April 2013* |
*) tentative dates, subject to change!
Students wishing to take part in German language courses offered at the International Studies Center have to attend the placement test for exchange students.
Students not attending preparatory language courses are advised to arrive in due time before the start of the lecture period in order to be able to deal with administrative matters as well as to participate in Orientation, the placement test and other introductory events.
The Registration form for the Preparatory Language Course for Exchange Students is available from your advisor or international office.
Applying to Heidelberg University
All incoming exchange students need the following documents for formal admission to Heidelberg University:
- nomination letter from your home institution
- application form for exchange students (not for ERASMUS students!)
- transcript of records
Application deadlines are:
- Fall/Winter Term: June 15th
- Spring/Summer Term: December 15th
After your application has been processed, you will receive a Zulassungsbescheid (letter of admission) which you must bring with you when you come to Heidelberg. This letter is proof of your admission to Heidelberg University and you will need to show it on many occasions such as during registration and when applying for a residence permit.
Please note that students who wish to take part in the Preparatory Language Course have to fill in the registration form for this course and send it to the Akademisches Auslandsamt by June 15/ December 15. The Registration form for the Preparatory Language Course for Exchange Students is available from your advisor or international office.
Arranging accommodations
Student residences: Student residences at Heidelberg University are administered by the Studentenwerk, an independent organization providing various services to the student population. Although the number of available rooms is quite limited (only 13 per cent of all Heidelberg students can be housed in student residences), the Akademisches Auslandsamt cooperates with the Studentenwerk to secure rooms in student residences for international exchange students coming to Heidelberg.
The Studentenwerk maintains a large variety of student residences. Almost all of them were built after 1983 or have recently been renovated (many of the buildings in the Altstadt are renovated heritage properties). Students usually stay in single rooms sharing kitchen and bathrooms in groups of 2 – 4, or in dormitories with kitchens and bathrooms on each floor. There is also a small number of single apartments available. The residences are located in different parts of the city and very close to public transport. Shopping areas are usually nearby. More detailed information about Studentenwerk student residences (including pictures of each residence) is available on-line at http://www.studentenwerk.uni-heidelberg.de/zv_portal/zv
Students who have special housing needs due to a disability, allergy or other health problems should indicate this on their application for admission (Part 2: Housing - not for ERASMUS students!) in order to receive the appropriate housing. Students who intend to bring a laptop/notebook and wish to live in one of the rooms which are directly connected to the University Computing Center should indicate this on their application for admission (Part 2: Housing - not for ERASMUS students!). Other room preferences can also be indicated; however, due to the limited housing availability, specific room preferences not arising from a disability or health concern cannot always be met.
Please note: Student residences in the Altstadt are not connected to the University Computing Center and therefore do not have direct internet connection. Internet conncetion can however be established via private phone companies on your own initiative.
Private Accommodation: Students who prefer to live in private accommodation can receive information about private rooms and apartments in the area through the accommodation service at the Akademische Auslandsamt. Our accommodation service can be found at room # 32 in Seminarstrasse 2 or contacted via e-mail at aaazimmer@zuv.uni-heidelberg.de. The Studentenwerk's accommodation service can be found at the Info Café International.
Please note that private sector rents are considerably higher than rents in student residences (a minimum of € 300-350 plus a deposit of two to three months‘ rent).
Residence Permits
In order to study in Germany, foreign students (except citizens of EU-countries) need a valid residence permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung zu Studienzwecken).
Citizens of the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and EFTA countries may apply for their residence permit after arriving in Germany.
Citizens of countries not mentioned above must apply for and receive a valid student visa before entering Germany. In order to facilitate the visa procedure, the Akademische Auslandsamt asks the Ausländerbehörde (local foreigner’s registration office) to issue a so-called Vorabzustimmung zur Visumserteilung. The Vorabzustimmung is printed on the letter of admission (Zulassungsbescheid) and with it you should have no difficulty obtaining a visa. Note: A Vorabzustimmung can only be issued if you have never lived in Germany before.
Be aware that a visa application can take up to twelve weeks to be processed – it is important to apply well in advance of your visit.
