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.

M1 History of Religious Studies or M2 Theories in Religious Studies
Students must choose one of the basic modules. They provide students with knowledge of significant positions in the history of the discipline and associated theories, culminating in more current religious studies approaches, central issues and debates as well as analyses of relationships with neighbouring scientific disciplines. This knowledge enables students to conduct in-depth studies into global religious traditions in the past and the present.

M3 Comparative Approaches in Religious Studies
The comparative approach in Religious Studies is the main research focus of this module. The introduction links “traditional” approaches (e.g. religious phenomenology) and their critical assessment with newer comparative approaches from modern cultural studies as well as with theories of transnationality and transculturalism.

M5 Introduction to Religious History
Courses that focus on providing general overviews convey knowledge about major religious traditions and their current developments as well as providing introductions to specific areas of specialisation.

M11 Elective Module
Depending on the area of specialisation, students can select any module from the range offered in the department. In addition to the range of modules offered by the Institute for Religious Studies, students can also choose modules from the range of interdisciplinary Religious Studies modules that is based on the diverse lectures and courses of the neighbouring disciplines.

Examination components completed during the course of study are either presentations and essays or module examinations such as term papers, oral examinations and (rarely) written examinations.

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