Heidelberg University: Fees & Ranking

The short answer

Heidelberg University, founded in 1386, is Germany’s oldest university.^[1] It has 32,178 students, of whom 6,633 are international, and has been a University of Excellence since 2007.^[2] It is ranked 86th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, down from 80th in the previous edition.^[3]^[4]

Heidelberg is in Baden-Württemberg, which charges students from outside the EU/EEA with a foreign entrance qualification €1,500 per semester in bachelor’s, state-examination and consecutive master’s programmes.^[5] Everyone also pays a semester contribution, €189.80 from winter semester 2026/27.^[6] Undergraduate and most master’s programmes are taught in German and need at least DSH-2.^[7]

Key facts

Official name	Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
Location	Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg (Grabengasse 1, 69117 Heidelberg)^[8]
Type	Public research university^[1]
Founded	1386, by Elector Palatine Rupert I; the oldest university in Germany^[1]
Students	32,178, of which 6,633 international; 6,386 newly enrolled^[2]
Professorships	579 (overview 2024)^[2]
Degree programmes	More than 190^[9]
English-taught programmes	The university lists 26 entries: 5 at bachelor’s level and 21 at master’s level^[10]
Excellence Strategy	University of Excellence since 2007; 3 Clusters of Excellence^[2]
QS World University Rankings 2027	86th (80th in the previous edition)^[3]
Tuition for non-EU/EEA students	€1,500 per semester (bachelor’s, state examination, consecutive master’s; foreign entrance qualification)^[5]
Semester contribution	€189.80 from winter semester 2026/27 (€161.10 in summer semester 2026)^[6]
Main language of teaching	German in all undergraduate and most master’s programmes^[7]
Official website	uni-heidelberg.de

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.

About Heidelberg University

Heidelberg University was founded in 1386 by Rupert I, Elector Palatine, and is the oldest university in Germany.^[1] It is a public research university in Baden-Württemberg with three campus areas: the Old Town, Neuenheimer Feld and Bergheim.^[1]

It has 32,178 students, 6,633 of them international, and 579 professorships (overview 2024).^[2] Under the federal and state Excellence Strategy it has been a University of Excellence since 2007 and runs three Clusters of Excellence.^[2] The university’s own subject catalogue offers more than 190 degree programmes.^[9]

How is Heidelberg University ranked?

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026, Heidelberg University is 86th in the world. It is the third German university in the list, behind TUM (25th) and LMU Munich (61st); Freie Universität Berlin follows at 98th.^[3] In the previous edition, the university reported 80th place worldwide, 27th in Europe and third in Germany.^[4]

Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.

What can you study at Heidelberg University?

The subject catalogue lists more than 190 degree programmes.^[9] Language of instruction is mostly German: undergraduate programmes and the majority of master’s programmes are taught in German.^[7] The university’s list of English-taught degrees has 26 entries, five of them at bachelor’s level (American Studies and four variants of English Studies) and 21 at master’s level, for example Physics, Economics and Computational Linguistics.^[10]

How much does Heidelberg University cost?

Group	Tuition per semester
Non-EU/EEA students with a foreign university entrance qualification	€1,500
EU/EEA students, and students with a German entrance qualification	none

The €1,500 applies to bachelor’s, state-examination and consecutive master’s programmes at Baden-Württemberg institutions and has been charged since winter semester 2017/18.^[5] The page does not name a fee for other programme types.

Exemptions

Students who were already enrolled in summer semester 2017 and continue the same programme.^[5]
Students on a leave of absence or in a required practical year or semester, for that period.^[5]
Applicants with asylum-related residence permission and a protection rate of 50% or more, or with a qualifying disability, can apply for exemption for the standard period of study.^[5]
The university may exempt up to 5% of its international students on application; hardship waivers exist for a financial emergency or undue hardship.^[5]

The page carries no date; its linked information form is dated June 2024.

Semester contribution

Everyone pays a semester contribution on top. It is €189.80 from winter semester 2026/27, after €161.10 in summer semester 2026. It consists of an €80 administrative fee to the state, a €95 social contribution to the Studierendenwerk, €10 for the student body and two small levies (€2.50 theatre flat rate, €2.30 nextbike).^[6] Heidelberg’s own fees page gives the current amount as €189.80.^[11] For rent and living costs see our Germany guide and the Study in Germany guide.

How do you apply to Heidelberg University?

A formal application submitted on time is required for all degree programmes, even where admission is unrestricted. The route for each subject is shown under “Select subject and apply” in the university’s subject list. The study-requirements page does not mention uni-assist or another intermediary.^[12]

Bachelor’s: a higher-education entrance qualification is required; foreign qualifications are assessed with the ZAB evaluation framework. If a qualification is only partly comparable to the German Abitur, you can apply for an assessment test (Feststellungsprüfung) at the Studienkolleg.^[12]
Master’s: a first university degree that qualifies for the programme, German or foreign. Programmes may add conditions such as above-average grades or credit points in a related field.^[12]

We give no deadlines because they change every year and differ by programme; use the programme page.

Which language level do you need?

Most programmes require at least DSH-2, proven at enrolment; some require DSH-3 or proof already at application. Proof accepted at DSH-2 level includes the Goethe-Zertifikat C2, ÖSD C2, telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule and the Feststellungsprüfung; TestDaF counts only if all components reach TDN 4. Applicants without a certificate can register for the university’s DSH exam after admission.^[7]

English-taught master’s programmes need no German proof but “very good English” as set in each programme’s admission regulations.^[12]^[7] The English-taught bachelor’s programmes still require German at DSH-2 level by registration.^[10]

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Heidelberg University charge tuition fees?

For students from outside the EU/EEA with a foreign entrance qualification, yes: €1,500 per semester in bachelor’s, state-examination and consecutive master’s programmes. EU/EEA students pay none.^[5]

How much is the Heidelberg semester contribution?

€189.80 from winter semester 2026/27; it was €161.10 in summer semester 2026.^[6]

Can I be exempt from the €1,500 fee?

Yes, in some cases: leave of absence, a practical year, asylum-related permission with a protection rate of 50% or more, a qualifying disability, or a place in the quota of up to 5% of international students, by application.^[5]

Do I need German to study at Heidelberg?

For undergraduate and most master’s programmes, yes: usually at least DSH-2. English-taught master’s programmes need no German proof.^[7]

How is Heidelberg University ranked?

It is 86th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, third in Germany after TUM and LMU.^[3]