International Degree-Seeking Students Study Requirements

The language entry requirement for all undergraduate programmes as well as for all German-taught master's programmes is very good knowledge of German. Proof of the required German language skills must be submitted prior to starting your studies, depending on the course of study, at the time of application or for enrollment.

English-taught master's programmes require very good English language skills for admission. Information on the respective requirements can be found in the subject-specific admission regulations for the respective master's programme.

In addition, some degree courses require language skills in other modern and/or ancient languages. Information on this can be found in the admission regulations or in the study and examination regulations for the respective programme.

A higher-education entrance qualification is the basic requirement for enrolment in an undergraduate study programme at a university. Recognition of foreign university entrance qualifications takes place as part of the admission procedure at Heidelberg University after an application for a degree programme has recieved in due form and on time.

When assessing non-German qualifications, Heidelberg University applies the evaluation framework provided by the Central Office for Foreign Education (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen, ZAB). 

If a foreign academic qualification is considered to be only partially comparable to the German university entrance requirements (usually Abitur), in accordance with the evaluation framework of the ZAB, it is possible to apply for participation in an assessment test  (Feststellungsprüfung) in the University's preparatory course (Studienkolleg). 

In addition to proof of university entrance qualifications and the required language skills, depending on the course of study chosen, other subject-specific admission requirements and selection criteria may also have to be met (see “Application and admission procedure” below).

Applicants for a master's degree programme must have successfully completed a first university degree programme at a German or foreign university that qualifies them to enrol in the desired master's programme. The access restrictions for each master’s degree programme are stipulated in the respective admission regulations. These may include such prerequisites as above-average examination grades and a certain minimum number of credit points acquired in an identical or related subject area in the previous undergraduate course of study.  

When assessing the comparability of foreign and German university degrees, Heidelberg University applies the evaluation framework provided by the Central Office for Foreign Education (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen, ZAB).

Depending on the course of study chosen, other subject-specific admission requirements and selection criteria may also have to be met (see “Application and admission procedure” below).

In addition to information on the structure and content of the degree programmes offered, the list of “All subjects” provides information on which admission procedure applies to an individual programme. For this, select the desired subject from the overview by clicking on the desired degree option. 

The selected degree programme page also allows you to view individually adapted information on the respective application procedures and the documents to be submitted as well as, if applicable, the subject-specific selection regulations. In order to display this information, click on "Select subject and apply” (red button) and then fill in the details of your application profile in the next step.