Quick Facts

• To receive priority consideration for this program, spring applications should be completed by August 1st. If space permits, applications will continue to be accepted through the posted application deadline.
• 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.
• More than 30,000 students study in one of the university's twelve faculties; of them, 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.

Location Details

The city of Heidelberg, about sixty miles south of Frankfurt, is located in the state of Baden-Württemberg and is built on both sides of the Neckar River. Many German cities claim to be rich in tradition, but few have retained that tradition with as much style as Heidelberg; from the crumbling walls of the once-majestic Schloß to the historic gabled buildings and cobblestone streets of the Altstadt.

Although Heidelberg's population is relatively small (approx. 150,000), about one in five residents is a student and 20,000 are non-German nationals, giving the city a distinctly cosmopolitan feel. As one of Germany's most popular tourist destinations, Heidelberg is particularly lively during the summer time when its famous pub culture is in full swing. Breath-taking architecture, a vibrant cultural scene, fascinating history, and a friendly yet sophisticated atmosphere come together in Heidelberg to make it an idyllic place for students of all interests.

 

Visa Information

U.S. citizens will NOT require a visa* in order to participate in this program. Limited information about the visa application process may be provided by the ASU Study Abroad Office and/or your host institution, but it is your sole responsibility to research, apply, and secure a visa. Failure to obtain a visa may result in your inability to participate and, ultimately, your withdrawal from the program, subject to the terms of the Study Abroad Withdrawal Policy. 

Consult this page for additional information regarding visas. If you need assistance securing a U.S. Passport, visit the ASU U.S. Passport Acceptance Office in Tempe.

PLEASE NOTE: Visa requirements for non U.S. citizens may differ from those for U.S. citizens; students who are not U.S. citizens are advised to contact their International Coordinator and begin independently researching the visa requirements for their nationality as soon as possible.

*At the time of writing. This information is subject to change without notice; students should independently confirm this requirement with the relevant consulate/embassy.

Academic Program & Courses

Exchange students may take part in a 4-week intensive language course at the International Study Center before the start of the semester (offered in September for fall semester students and in March for spring semester students). The program includes 80 hours of language instruction at all levels (basic, intermediate, and advances). All courses contain German grammar, conversation, reading and writing, listening comprehension, lexis, phonetics, regional and cultural studies, and information about studying in Heidelberg. The fee for the language course is covered by the International Relations Office for exchange students. 

Students who need additional support regarding their language proficiency during the lecture period are offered a large variety of different language progarms at the University's International Study Center (ISZ). Students may choose between a 4 and 8 hour per week general German language course. In addition, the ISZ has a large variety of subject-related courses all exchange students may take part in. These courses complement the regular courses offered at the University. All students are allowed to attend both the German language courses as well as the subject-related courses offered by the ISZ.

Subjects taught at Heidelberg include: philosophy, history, political science, archeology, classical philosophy, classical and modern languages, social/behavioral sciences, physics/astronomy, earth sciences, pharmacology, chemistry, biology (botany, zoology, molecular genetics), economics, theology, law and medicine. Typcially courses are taught in German; however, there are several fields of study with a large variety of courses taught in English, including English studies, American Studies, South Asian Studies, and Transcultural Studies. Many Master's programs in the field of Science are also taught in English. Some of these courses may be available for Advanced Bachelor students. 

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.

Students without or with limited German language experience have the opportunity to attend a full time intensive (20 hour per week) language course in which 24 ECTS can be earned per semester.

To find a list of available courses, please click here. To search for courses offered in English, please follow these instructions. Click the link here, click Search for Lectures, Change Term if necessary, click Language of Instruction and change to English, click Start Search. *Please note that searching for a specific department, the department must be written in German.

To find Master's courses taught in English, please click here. 

Access a list of courses other ASU students have taken and view current course equivalencies.

Credit & Grade Conversion Scale

Program Housing

While in Heidelberg, Exchange students staying in German dorms enjoy the privacy of a single room yet benefit from a closely-knit social unit. Students generally share kitchen and shower facilities, and responsibilities for the apartment's up-keep (cleaning, refuse, etc.) - in the kitchen, communal appliances and silverware are usually available. Dorm life may include activities such as a weekly potluck, group outings, and organized get-togethers. Additionally, the residences are located in different parts of the city and very close to public transport.  Exchange students are guaranteed housing, so exchange students are strongly encouraged to consider this option. University cafeterias also provide regular meals (including vegetarian).

For more information, click here. 
 

Accessibility Information

Individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation in one of more of this program’s locations very different from what you find in the United States. Depending on the program, there may be a great deal of walking or the regular use of public transportation. The Study Abroad Office cannot guarantee access to public transportation, buildings, or public sites on this program.

Although ASU cannot guarantee the accessibility of all program sites, students with disabilities can and do study abroad. Upon request, the ASU Study Abroad Office can provide information about the availability of accommodations and accessible facilities on the specific program and can help you determine whether this program can meet your accommodation needs.

Cost Information

Exchange program participants will pay ASU tuition and fees for the term of the Exchange program, according to the individual student's classification and degree level. In addition to ASU tuition and fees, participants are also responsible for paying the following fees:

• $50 Application Fee (non-refundable)
• $400 Administrative Fee (non-refundable)
• Carbon Offset Fee*
• International Travel Service Fee (Including Insurance)*

The program may allow for time which can be spent in non-program activities. Participants may wish to travel, sightsee or participate in activities or events in which they have a personal interest. Please note that the participant is fully responsible for making arrangements and for all costs of transportation, lodging, food and additional expenses that may be associated with any non-Program activities.

*The actual amount of the International Travel Service Fee charged to each student depends on the program duration and the Carbon Offset Fee will increase annually (in July) by approximately $2.
 

Funding Your Study Abroad Program

Studying abroad is an investment in your future, which requires careful planning and management. However, the personal, academic, and professional rewards that you will gain from this experience will last a lifetime. You should carefully consider costs, budgets and financing when selecting and preparing for your experience abroad. If you have questions at any step of the process, we encourage you to reach out to your International Coordinator for guidance.

Steps to Financing Your Study Abroad Program

1. Review the Considering Costs Table for a general overview and cost comparison of popular programs.
2. Be sure to reference the Spring Semester Cost Sheet or the Academic Year Cost Sheet to find a breakdown of program expenses.
3. Attend a Financing Your Study Abroad Workshop.
4. Consider your Financial Aid options.
5. Search and Apply for Scholarships and Grants.
6. Exhaust your options by exploring Additional Funding Resources including our Community-Based Funding Guide.
7. View our  Financing Your Study Abroad Program Handbook for more information, including Payment Information.

Unique Funding Opportunities for This Program

• Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
• DAAD Funding

Photos

Links to Additional Resources

• ASU Study Abroad on Facebook
• U.S. Department of State
• ASU U.S. Passport Acceptance Office
• STA Travel Airfare Deposit Program*
• German Newspaper - Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
• Germany Top Stories

*The ASU Study Abroad Office does not officially endorse, administer or monitor the content of these links.