Description
Founded in 1386, Heidelberg University is the oldest university in Germany and can look back on more than 625 years of scientific and scholarly endeavors. 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.
Quick Facts
Partner Program Type – Exchange
Minimum GPA – 2.85
Eligibility – Good academic and disciplinary standing, Min Age: 18, Open to All Majors, Junior or Senior class standing by the time of departure
Term Options
Fall Semester – early October to late March
- students must miss both Fall and Winter Quarter in order to participate in this
Spring Semester – early April to late September
Winter PLC (Preparatory German Language Course) + Spring Semester – early March to late September
Academic Year – early October to late September
Partner Program deadline dates
Cost
Location
City & University
Heidelberg is home to 160,000 people who appreciate not only the world-famous beauty and scenic location of the Neckar city in the middle of the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region, but above all its quality of life. Heidelberg is a city of science and culture. It is particularly attractive for families, students, creative people and entrepreneurs from business, science and research.
Accommodations
Akademisches Auslandsamt (International Relations Office at HU) works with Studierendenwerk (Student Services) to secure rooms in student residences for international exchange students coming to Heidelberg. Learn more about Studierendenwerk student residences or private housing.
You are responsible for applying for, securing, and paying for accommodations directly to the housing provider. Visit the host university website for actual costs.
Student Support
The International Relations Office assists exchange students with important pre-departure steps, arrival information and activities, and general support throughout the program. Heidelberg also offers opportunities for exchange students to successfully integrate into the culture, society, and student life.
Country Information Resources
- U.S. Department of State Country Information Page
- CDC Travelers’ Health
- OSAC Country Security Report
Students with Disabilities
If you need support services abroad, notify your UCSC Disability Resource Center (DRC) Coordinator.
Learn more about services for students with disabilities and chronic illness at Heidelberg.
Identities Abroad and Away
UC Santa Cruz Global Learning is committed to inclusion and equity in our various program options as well as striving to make everyone’s experiences abroad enriching, positive, and safe.
Learn more on our Identities Abroad and Away webpage.
Academics
Host University Courses
As a University of Heidelberg exchange student, you will enroll full-time in courses alongside other local and international students for a semester or full academic year.
Course Search
View the Course Search.
- Courses in English Available: Computer Science and Engineering
- Most courses at Heidelberg are taught in German. Click on “Search for Lectures” and select English from the language of instruction filter to narrow your results to courses taught in English
- Upper-level undergraduates and graduate students in CSE can only take courses at Heidelberg offered in English at the graduate level. Look up courses in the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science.
- Heidelberg offers preparatory German language courses before the start of each semester, in September for fall and in March for spring. You can also study supplemental German language courses during the semester.
Satisfying Requirements
It may be possible to satisfy major, minor, GE, and/or electives on this program.
Learn more about:
- How to request major or minor credit
- How to request GE credit
Course Load Requirements
You are required to enroll in a full-time course load while abroad as defined by your host institution:
- A typical course load is 30 ECTS per semester
As a UCSC student, you must also continue to meet UCSC Satisfactory Academic Progress, which requires students to enroll in a minimum of 12 UCSC quarter credits per quarter. At Heidelberg, you are required to ensure you meet this requirement by enrolling in theequivalent of at least 24 quarter credits in fall semester and at least 12 quarter credits in spring semester after conversion (see below)
Credit Conversion
Heidelberg uses ECTS credits. These will be converted to UCSC quarter credits when added to your UC transcript.
- 5 ECTS credits = 4 quarter credits at UCSC
- 10 ECTS credits = 8 quarter credits at UCSC
- 15 ECTS credits = 12 quarter credits at UCSC
- 20 ECTS credits = 15 quarter credits at UCSC
Academic Restrictions
Some courses abroad may have enrollment limitations and/or restrictions, such as prerequisites. Review course information provided by the university partner to understand any course limitations and/or restrictions prior to official course enrollment abroad.
If you are unsure about your eligibility to enroll, please contact UCSC Global Learning at globallearning@ucsc.edu before applying to this program.
Academic Differences
Please note that the academic system, such as assignments, exams, course structure, grading system, etc., at your host institution may be different from what you are used to at UCSC. We highly recommend researching the academic system at your host university in advance to best prepare for your experience abroad.
Academic Calendar
We recommend comparing the host university academic calendar to the UCSC academic calendar to see how the academic calendars, holidays, and breaks differ.