MASTER’S PROGRAMMESOVERVIEW
18MASTER’S PROGRAMMESAT HEIDELBERG UNIVERSITY

110 GENERAL INFORMATION
10 – Excellence in research

1 – Heidelberg University: The Future. Since 1386.

11 – International profile
12 – Internationally renowned
research location2 – Ten reasons for studying at Heidelberg University
3 – Outstanding support for students
4 – Research-based and interdisciplinary

13 – Living in Heidelberg

5 – Programme structure
6 – Mathematics, Engineering and Natural Sciences
7 – Humanities and Theology
8 – Law, Economics and Social Sciences
9 – Medicine

1MASTER’S PROGRAMMESAT HEIDELBERG UNIVERSITYHEIDELBERG UNIVERSITY: THE FUTURE. SINCE 1386.
Founded in 1386, Heidelberg University is the oldest university in present-day Germany,with one of the best research performances in Europe. Its success in the German
Excellence Initiative and Excellence Strategy and in international rankings testify to its
leading role in the scientific landscape. Heidelberg University’s strategy in educating
its approximately 30,000 students and promoting junior academics early on in theircareer focuses on research-based teaching and excellent conditions for a personalis­
ed and inter­disciplinary education. In addition to its well-established excellence inresearch and teaching, the university is defined by its international character andintegration into world-spanning networks. Its strength in research is also the result ofclose cooperation with numerous non-university research institutions and industrial
partners in the region.

2» Overview

TEN REASONSFOR STUDYING AT HEIDELBERG UNIVERSITYreputation. Consistently among the top three German universities in
1 Excellent
the most important rankings: Heidelberg University stands for excellent study
and doctoral conditions and outstanding research.
tradition. The Future. Since 1386: Heidelberg University is the oldest
2 Longuniversity in present-day Germany.
of subjects. More than 100 master’s programmes: the subject areas
3 Rangeon offer cover the wide range typical of a comprehensive university, allowing
students to acquire a top-tier education that is made to measure.
Thinking outside the box: Heidelberg University teaches
4 Interdisciplinarity.
interdisciplinary skills. Such skills will be indispensable in addressing tomorrow’s
great challenges.
teaching. Up to date on the latest research: from their first
5 Research-based
semester at the university, students are actively involved in research and carryout their own scientific projects.
centre of research. An excellent local network: besides hosting the6 Stronguniversity, Heidelberg is home to many other research institutions wherestudents and doctoral candidates can work and learn.
At home in the world: Heidelberg University is part of a network
7 International.
of 480 universities across the globe. 27 partner universities worldwide and four
liaison offices in North America, Latin America, India and Japan create a strong
foundation for exchange in research, education and teaching.
support. For a great student experience on and off campus: Heidel8 Excellent
berg University offers its students and doctoral candidates a comprehensive
range of advice and support services.
career opportunities. In academia or beyond: no matter where graduates
9 Goodgo from Heidelberg University, they are in excellent shape to launch their career.
in Heidelberg. Short distances, a relaxed atmosphere and ample leisure10 Living
time opportunities: Heidelberg is the perfect place for students and doctoralcandidates. Besides its world-famous Old Town and its magnificent location in
the Neckar valley, Heidelberg offers cultural highlights to suit every palate.

3» Overview

OUTSTANDING SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
With a large number of advisory and supervisory opportunities, as well as specificprofessional development programmes, Heidelberg University accompanies students
at all stages of their career development. Students from at home and abroad can turnto the Central Student Advisory Office, which answers individual questions about theirstudies at Heidelberg University. In addition, the university assists students in plann­
ing periods of study abroad or placements in the framework of their course. In thedoctoral phase, the Graduate Academy is the coordination centre for all interdisciplinary continu­ing education and further training opportunities. The broad range of programmes offered by the Career Service contributes especially to a successful start inworking life.

4» Overview

RESEARCH-BASED AND INTERDISCIPLINARY
As an advanced course of studies, a master’s programme usually follows a bachelor’sor other undergraduate programme. With a range of more than 100 master’s program­mes at 13 faculties, Heidelberg University offers a variety of subjects that is virtuallyunparalleled in Germany. Some master’s programmes are taught partially or completelyin English. A master’s degree is a solid foundation for entry into professional life or acareer in academia.

5» Overview

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
A master’s programme is usually completed in four semesters – in some cases twoor three semesters – and awards graduates the academic degree of Master of Science(M.Sc.), Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Education (M.Ed.). A four-semester master’s programme usually requires 120 credit points, of which 30 are awarded for themaster’s thesis.

6» Overview

MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING AND NATURAL SCIENCES

Molecular life sciences at the Faculty of Biosciences, applied mathematics and scientific computing at the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, and physicalchemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Sciences are among the internationallyvisible areas in research and teaching. The Faculty of Physics and Astronomy conducts
research in three main areas: fundamental particles and their interactions, astrophysics
and cosmology, and complex quantum systems. The newly established Heidelberg
Faculty of Engineering Sciences covers molecular biotechnology, the engineering ofmolecular systems, computer engineering and medical technology.
Master of Science
M BiochemistryM

Language of instruction: English

Language of instruction: English and GermanMMM

M Physics fast track	One-year programme,
language of instruction: English

ChemistryComputer Engineering
Computer ScienceM

M

M
M

Earth Sciences
Geoarchaeology
Geography
Governance of Risk and Resources *Language of instruction: English and Spanish,location: Santiago de Chile, Chile

M
M

Scientific Computing
Language of instruction: English, partly German

Language of instruction: English

M

Physics

Mathematics
Matter to Life
Language of instruction: English

M

Molecular Biosciences

M

Molecular Biotechnology

MMolecular Systems Science and 		Engineering

Language of instruction: English

Master of Education
M Astronomy
M Biology
M Chemistry
M Computer Science
M Geography
M Geology
M Mathematics
M Mathematics
M Physics» Overview

Language of instruction: English and German

Language of instruction: English

7

HUMANITIES AND THEOLOGY
The special thematic focus of the humanities at Heidelberg University – the Facultyof Modern Languages, the Faculty of Philosophy and the Faculty of Theology – is on
the fields of transcultural studies, area studies and cultural heritage studies. The areastudies concentrate mainly on South and East Asia, North America and Ibero-America.
Other strengths of the Heidelberg humanities lie in the development of text editing
principles and digital humanities.
Master of Arts
M American Studies

M

Language of instruction: English
M

M

Ancient History
Art History and Museology

M	Language of instruction: German and French,location: Heidelberg and Paris	Language of instruction: Italian, Englishand German

Japanese Studies
Jewish Studies
M Latin / Classical Philology
M 	Management, Ethics and Innovationin the Non-Profit Sector – Diaconal
Leadership and Governance *M Medieval Studies
M Musicology
M Near Eastern ArchaeologyMM 	Assyriology

MByzantine Archaeology and Art History
M Chinese Studies
M Christianity and Culture
M Classical and Modern Literature
M Classical Archaeology
M 	Communication and Society inIbero-America
M

Language of instruction: English and Spanish

Language of instruction: English and German

M 	Communication, Literature and MediaM
M

Near Eastern Studies
M Philosophy
M Prehistory and Protohistory
M Religious Studies
M Semitic Studies
M Slavic and Eastern European Studies
M 	South Asian Cultural and Religious
History (Classical Indology)
M Theological Studies *M Transcultural Studies
Min Modern South Asian Languages
Comparative German Studies
Computational Linguistics
Language of instruction: English and German

Conference Interpreting
M 	Cultural Heritage and Protection ofCultural Goods
M 	Development, Environment, Societies,
and History in South Asia
M

Language of instruction: English
M
M
M

Language of instruction: English

East Asian Art History
Egyptology
English Studies

M 	Translation, Communication,

Language Technology

Language of instruction: English
M

Master of Education

European Art History
French / Transcultural Studies

M	Language of instruction: French, Englishand German
M

M

German as a Second Language

M
M

Knowledge – Language
Global History
Greek / Classical Philology
HistoryHistory

M

M
M

M
M
M
MM	Language of instruction: German and French,location: Heidelberg and ParisM
M

M Ibero-American Studies / Spanish	Language of instruction: Spanish, Englishand German

8Chinese
EnglishFrenchGerman
Greek
History
Italian
Latin
Philosophy
Protestant Theology
Russian
SpanishM

M 	German Studies: Literature –M

Interreligious Studies
Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies
Italian / Italy in Contact – Literature,Arts, Languages, Cultures

MM» Overview

LAW, ECONOMICS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

A central objective of the subjects at the Faculty of Behavioural and Cultural Studies,
the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Law is understanding
regulation processes at the level of individuals and societies. In addition to decisionmaking and legislative processes in complex systems, the researchers investigate howsocial groups regulate their interaction and how resources are distributed from a poli­tical and economic standpoint.
Master of Arts

Legum Magister

M 	Education Studies with a Focus on

M International Law (LL.M.)
	Language of instruction: English and Spanish,location: Santiago de Chile, Chile

M

Organisational Development
Political Science

Corporate Restructuring *(LL.M. corp. restruc.)M 	Law – Legum Magister in German
and European Law *(LL.M.)
M

Language of instruction: English and German
M

Sociocultural Anthropology
Language of instruction: English, partly German

MMSociology
Sport and Exercise across the Lifespan

Master of Education

Master of ScienceM
MM

9Economics

M

Language of instruction: English

M

Psychology in Researchand Application
Psychology in Clinical Psychology 		and Psychotherapy

M
M

Economics
Gerontology, Health and Care
Political ScienceSport Science» Overview

MEDICINE

The medical faculties in Heidelberg and Mannheim specialise in the research ofinfectious diseases such as AIDS, hepatitis and malaria, cardiovascular issues, cancer,
transplantation therapy and immunotherapy, and medical technology and neuro­sciences. Both faculties and the associated university hospitals maintain close ties toa large number of local research partners. The master’s degree programmes qualify
students for various professions in medicine-related specialist fields.
Master of ScienceM

Biomedical EngineeringM

Medical Education *Language of instruction: English

Language of instruction: English and GermanM 	Health Services Research

M Medical Informatics	Language of instruction: English and German,
location: Heilbronn and Heidelberg

and Implementation Sciencein Health SystemsM

Language of instruction: English and German
M

Translational Medical Research
Language of instruction: English

International Health*Language of instruction: EnglishM

Medical Biometry / Biostatistics *» Overview

Language of instruction: English and German

ABBREVIATIONS AND NOTES
LL.M.
Legum Magister / Master of Laws M
LL.M. corp. restruc.
Legum Magister in Corporate Restructuring M
M.A.
Master of Arts M
M.Sc.
Master of Science M
M.Ed.
Master of Education M*
Advanced master’s programme, subject to a tuition fee

10GENERAL INFORMATIONEXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH
Academic dialogue across disciplinary boundariesAs a research university with an international presence, Heidelberg University considers
the extensive theoretical and methodological expertise of its subjects and subject
cultures to be an essential characteristic of its scientific work. At the same time, it
recognises its unique potential to investigate important issues affecting the future ofhumankind, and thus take on social responsibility, by encouraging cooperation acrossdisciplinary boundaries. The core of Heidelberg’s research strategy is formed by fourinteractive research fields, which in their turn are more strongly linked with one anotherby the Marsilius Kolleg and two Flagship Initiatives.
Interactive “Fields of Focus” (FoF)– FoF 1: Molecular Foundations of Life, Health, and Disease– FoF 2: Patterns and Structures in Mathematics, Data, and the Material World– FoF 3: Cultural Dynamics in Globalised Worlds– FoF 4: Self-Regulation and Regulation: Individuals and Societies
Flagship Initiatives– Engineering Molecular Systems– Transforming Cultural Heritage
With its strategy “The Comprehensive Research University – Heidelberg: The Futuresince 1386” along with two Clusters of Excellence, Heidelberg University was success­ful in both funding lines of the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state
governments. Accordingly, since 2019 it has been funded as part of a group of ten
Universities of Excellence and one Excellence Alliance.
University of Excellence– The Comprehensive Research University Heidelberg: The Future since 1386
Clusters of Excellence– STRUCTURES: A Unifying Approach to Emergent Phenomena in the
Physical World, Mathematics, and Complex Data
– 3D Matter Made to Order

FACTS AND FIGURES – RESEARCH
1110822432723168,872Nobel Laureates

ERC Grants (in total, incl. bridge professorships)

Leibniz Award Laureates

DFG Collaborative Research Centres

DFG Research Training Groups

11

ERC Grants (running)

Emmy Noether Junior Research Groups (running)

doctoral candidates» Overview

INTERNATIONAL PROFILE
Collaborations and exchanges
Heidelberg University is tied into a worldwide network of cooperation arrangementson research and teaching. Exchange programmes with universities all over the world,
as well as numerous institutional partnerships, document the strong international
connections of Ruperto Carola. Furthermore, the university has foreign branch offices
in Latin America, North America, South and East Asia.
– More than 700 ERASMUS arrangements with approx. 300 European universities– Exchange programmes with roughly 200 additional universities worldwide– 27 partnerships with universities abroad– A large number of international cooperation agreements at faculty, instituteand subject levels
Memberships in university networks– 4EU+ European University Alliance (Heidelberg, Prague, Paris-Panthéon-Assas,Sorbonne/Paris, Copenhagen, Geneva, Milan and Warsaw)– League of European Research Universities (LERU)– HeKKSaGOn: German-Japanese University Consortium– Coimbra GroupFACTS AND FIGURES – MOBILITY
International students:

International doctoral candidates:

5,546 (18.6%)

2,403 (27.1%)

International doctorates completed:

International visiting researchers:

291 (29.9%)

approx. 250 per year

Status: 2022/2023

Centres abroad and related institutes of Heidelberg University

Centres abroad
Heidelberg Office North America,
New York

Heidelberg University

Heidelberg Office North America
New York City (since 2008)

Heidelberg Center Latin America,
Santiago de Chile

Heidelberg Office East Asia
Kyoto (since 2015)
Heidelberg Centre South Asia
New Delhi (since 2009)
South Asia Institute New Delhi (since 1962)
with branch offices in Kathmandu (Nepal),Colombo (Sri Lanka) and Islamabad (Pakistan)

Heidelberg Office East Asia, Kyoto
Heidelberg Centre South Asia,New Delhi
Related institutes at Heidelberg
UniversityHeidelberg Center for
American Studies | HCA

Heidelberg Center Latin America
Santiago de Chile (since 2001)

Heidelberg Center for
Ibero-American Studies | HCIAS
Centre for East Asian Studies
South Asia Institute | SAI» Overview

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INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED RESEARCH LOCATIONThe university forms the focus of an excellent and internationally competitive research
network in Heidelberg and in the region. The cooperation of the university with its local
research partners particularly includes conducting research projects, building up joint
infrastructures, cooperative early-career training, and developing innovative study pro­grammes.
Local and regional research institutions– German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)– European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)– Max Planck Institute for Medical Research– Max Planck Institute for Astronomy– Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics– Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law– Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities– Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS)– Central Institute of Mental Health (ZI)
Furthermore, Heidelberg University cooperates in a variety of ways with companies
from industry and business. Amongst other things, with its Industry on Campus
projects Ruperto Carola links up its basic research with applied research on the partof the industrial partners.
Industry on Campus projects– Catalysis Research Laboratory– InnovationLab GmbH
– Nikon Imaging Center» Overview

13

LIVING IN HEIDELBERG

Heidelberg’s cosmopolitan and student-friendly atmosphere is one of the city’s
distinguishing features. Situated in a region with a high quality of life, the university
offers a varied programme of events alongside studies and work. Both the city and theuniversity offer sports and leisure activities as well as numerous theatres, renowned
film and music festivals and a large number of museums, creating a stimulating anddiverse cultural atmosphere. Popular local tourist destinations include the world-famous
Heidelberg Castle, the historic streets and alleys in the old town and the Philosophers’
Walk, one of the most spectacular hillside promenades in Europe, as well as manyfine restaurants.

FURTHER INFORMATION
Studying at Heidelberg University
 Study Master’s programmes
 Information on applying
 Information for international students
 Career Service (German)
 Advisory services Download centre

General information
 About the University
 Research Fields of Focus
 Excellence Strategy
 International affairs
 Transfer
 Research city

Foreign offices and related institutes in Heidelberg
 Heidelberg Center Latin America (HCLA) H
eidelberg Center for Ibero-American Studies(HCIAS) Heidelberg Office North America, New York Heidelberg Center for American Studies (HCA) Heidelberg Centre South Asia (HCSA)
 South Asia Institute (SAI) Heidelberg Office East Asia, Kyoto
 Centre for East Asian Studies

IMPRINTHeidelberg University
Communications and Marketing
Status: March 2024

www.uni-heidelberg.de/en» Overview