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 Master’s degree programme lasts for two years (M1 and M2). One year must be spent in Heidelberg, the other in Paris. In general, the students spend the first year in the partner country and the second year at their “home university” (Heidelberg University or the EHESS.

The modules in the MA programme enable students to freely select their courses from the wide range of lectures and courses offered in the respective Master’s degree programmes by both departments. In addition, students are required to take courses designed specifically for the French-German specialisation of the MA programme (see module handbook). An essential component of the academic programme is the French-German atelier that takes place once per semester (alternating between Paris and Heidelberg) and at which all students, doctoral candidates and responsible parties convene.

The two-year programme is accompanied by a long-term research project, which forms the basis of the Master's thesis in the fourth semester. Initial results must be presented at the end of the first year in the context of the M1 paper (EHESS) or the research module (Department of History). Students have numerous opportunities to receive feedback on the development of their project thanks to the ateliers and the degree programme’s colloquium.

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