Heidelberg University, officially the Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg, is a public research university in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Founded in 1386 on instruction of Pope Urban VI, Heidelberg is Germany's oldest university and one of the world's oldest surviving universities. SEMPER APERTUS (Always open) has been Ruperto Carola's motto since its founding in 1386. Numerous great minds have studied, researched and taught here. Reflecting this spirit of openness, Germany's oldest university has significantly shaped knowledge and society since 1386.

With a long tradition of shaping the future, Heidelberg University sees itself as an internationally oriented research and teaching institution that offers a rich range of subjects and disciplines. It acknowledges its responsibility to humanity, society, and nature and is committed to broadening and harnessing its knowledge and skills, in a spirit of open-mindedness and tolerance toward individuals and ideas, for the benefit of future generations.

The degree program is divided into two sections: the core subject and an examination module. The core subject itself is divided into a subject-specific section and a practical section:

In the former, students complete an introductory module and select four modules from the five disciplines offered: geography, history, literature, political science, and religious history. Following completion of these four modules, students select two of the four as specialization courses. Ideally, this selection takes place following the fourth semester. The subject-specific sections also contain an interdisciplinary module, in which two disciplines are combined for the exploration of a specific research question.
The practical section consists of a “Language in Use” module, one key competence module and one practical module. This includes the preparation for, participation in, and reporting on an internship which is to be completed in a potential future professional field for American Studies graduates.
Following completion of the curriculum, students take the Bachelor’s examination module, consisting of a Bachelor’s thesis and a final oral examination in the two disciplines that were selected as specialization modules.
From the third semester on, students have the option of taking law courses pursuant to obtaining an additional certificate in "Anglo-American Law (Public Law)."
Module Handbook for Enrolments Starting WS 18/19
Module Overview

Since its establishment in 1386, Heidelberg University has produced a wealth of prominent and influential personalities – researchers, teachers and graduates alike. Heidelberg University is Germany’s oldest university and one of the strongest research universities in all of Europe. The successes in both rounds of the Excellence Initiative and in internationally recognised rankings prove that Heidelberg’s excellent reputation and leading role in the scientific community are well deserved. In terms of educating students and promoting promising early-career academics, Heidelberg relies on research-based teaching and an outstanding, well-structured training for doctoral candidates.

Heidelberg University is a comprehensive university, offering the full spectrum of disciplines in the humanities, law and the social sciences alongside the natural and life sciences, including medicine. As a comprehensive university, Heidelberg aims to continue to strengthen the individual disciplines and to further interdisciplinary cooperation, as well as to carry research results over into society and industry.

With its aspiration of connecting traditional academic values with future-oriented scientific concepts in research and teaching, the university is building bridges to the future – Zukunft. Seit 1386.

Mission

Firmly rooted in its history, the University is committed to expanding and disseminating our knowledge about all aspects of humanity and nature through research and education. The University upholds the principle of freedom of research and education, acknowledging its responsibility to humanity, society, and nature.

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it