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EXCHANGE OF UNIVERSITY PLACES

An exchange of university places is a process managed directly between participating universities. The exchange process gives students the opportunity to gain a place in a degree programme without going through the standard, centrally governed selection process. This means that students have no legal entitlement to an exchange of university places. 
It is possible to exchange university places at Heidelberg University for undergraduate degree programmes in medicine and dentistry.

An exchange of university places requires that the incoming applicant is enrolled for the entirety of the same degree programme at another academic institution in Germany. The applicant must be in the same academic semester as the student with whom he or she wishes to exchange places, and must have gained a comparable selection of credits.

In order to apply for an exchange:

  • There must be admission restrictions at all of the universities involved.
  • You, and all other involved students must already be enrolled at a German university for the entirety of the given course.
  • The student with whom you wish to exchange places must be enrolled in the same academic semester as you, and in the same degree programme.
  • Any student wishing to enrol for study at Heidelberg University must posses a university entrance qualification which also permits study of the relevant subject in the state of Baden-Württemberg.
  • It is not possible to exchange university places in the first  academic semester.

Please note:  there may be waiting lists for specific courses, modules, or seminars. You are therefore strongly advised to contact all concerned faculties before committing to an exchange of university places.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION

Once you have found a student to exchange university places with, fill in the application for an exchange of university places and have this approved by the university to which you wish to transfer. Once approved, submit this application to Heidelberg University along with all required documents.

Please note that even if you present your application in person, it will not be possible to grant immediate approval. The processing time for applications is 2 - 3 weeks.

Both universities involved in the exchange will check whether the incoming student possesses the skills and knowledge required to pick up the desired place. Further questions relating to the formalities of enrolment will be considered once the exchange itself has been approved. In exceptional cases, this can result in the application for exchange being rejected.

For an exchange involving more than two students (a multilateral exchange), you will also be required to submit the application for a multilateral exchange and all required diplomas, certificates of enrolment, and the approval of the involved universities. Please note that the forms must be signed and stamped.

Please note:

Medicine

  • In order to exchange university places in the first clinical semester, students must submit proof of having successfully completed the first section of the medical examination.
  • It is not possible to exchange university places in the first  academic semester.
  • If a student has been partially admitted to a degree programme without guaranteed admission for the entirety of the course, it is not possible for them to exchange places for study at Heidelberg University.
  • If a student has failed an examination or course component at the last attempt, it is not possible for them to exchange places for study at Heidelberg University.
  • In order to exchange places during the pre-clinical phase of the degree programme, it must be possible for the involved students to complete the pre-clinical section of the degree programme within the standard four semesters. In order to exchange places during the clinical phase of the degree programme, it must be possible for the involved students to complete the clinical section of the degree programme within six semesters (not including the practical year).
  • For exchange during the pre-clinical phase, the involved students must have completed the same number of academic semesters since completion of the first medical examination. For exchange during the clinical phase, students must have completed the same number of clinical semesters.  

Dentistry

  • It is not possible to exchange university places in the first academic semester.
  • The prerequisite for an exchange in the Preclinical I study section (semesters 1 - 4) is that the Preclinical I study section can be completed within the standard period of study of four semesters by passing the first section of the Dental Examination (Z1).
  • For an exchange in the Preclinical I study section (semesters 5 - 6), proof of passing the first section of the Dental Examination (Z1) must be provided from the 5th semester onwards. In the case of an exchange to the 6th semester, the student transferring to Heidelberg University must be able to present the same certificates as the student leaving Heidelberg University.
  • For an exchange in the Clinic study section (semesters 7 -10), the student transferring to Heidelberg University must have at least the same level of credits in Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics as the student leaving Heidelberg University.
  • In order to exchange places for dentistry, the involved students must be in the same academic semester.

Equivalence

In order to exchange places in medicine or dentistry, the involved students must have achieved a comparable academic level in their degree programmes. The respective faculties are responsible for ensuring and confirming sufficient equivalence between the exchanging parties.

DEADLINES

Applications for an exchange of university places may be submitted in writing to the Student Administration of Heidelberg University from the beginning of the lecture period.

The deadline for registration will be confirmed when the exchange is approved. Registration will be required by the end of October at the very latest for the winter semester, and by the end of April at the very latest for the summer semester.

Enrolment

Please note that online enrolment is not (yet) available for enrolment after an exchange of university places. Heidelberg University will mail a letter of admission as well as an application for enrolment to the “exchance buddies” that have been admitted. The signed application for enrolment and any further required documents have to be submitted to Heidelberg University by mail in due time. 

FINDING AN “EXCHANGE BUDDY”

The best places to find someone to exchange university places with is most certainly the open message boards, or “Schwarzen Bretter” found in university cafeterias, in student unions, in university administrative offices, admissions offices, and in student advisory services. Any student can publicise a potential exchange here.

In addition to these message boards, there are a variety of other services which, in exchange for a token fee, will help you find an exchange buddy.