About Heidelberg University
Established in 1386, Heidelberg University is Germany’s oldest and one of Europe’s top research universities. Its record of achievements in the German Excellence Competitions backed by the federal and state governments as well as in international rankings speaks volumes about its excellent reputation and central position in the global scientific landscape. The university’s emphasis on research-oriented teaching and offering high levels of support to early-career researchers keeps it in the limelight of academic excellence.
A Comprehensive Research University
Heidelberg University is an integrated research university with a broad academic spectrum. The thirteen faculties, teaching varied programs in the humanities, social sciences, law, natural and engineering sciences, life sciences, and medicine, encourage interdisciplinary cooperation. It is committed to developing outstanding individual disciplines while developing cross-disciplinary discussion and translating research into practical applications that contribute to the benefit of society and the economy. The university also enjoys close cooperation with external institutions.
Excellent Conditions for Students
Presently, there are approximately 30,000 students studying at Heidelberg University, which has more than 180 study courses available in a very broad range of subject areas. This broad range offers students an unparalleled chance of individualized and interdisciplinary education. The university’s heiSKILLS Competence and Language Centre coordinates all transdisciplinary qualifications and advanced training programs, assisting students in acquiring important foreign language skills and other competencies in order to enhance their professional profiles and transition smoothly into the workforce.
Support for Doctoral Candidates and Postdocs
The support of young researchers is a central concern for Heidelberg University. The university aims to recruit the best students from all over the world and offer them the optimum conditions for their scientific careers. As part of its comprehensive quality program for doctoral training, heiDOCS continually optimizes the conditions for doctoral candidates at the university. The Graduate Academy centralizes counseling, advanced training, and funding. HeiTRACKS also provides an extensive array of support measures for junior researchers upon the completion of their doctorates.
Imposing International Presence
Heidelberg University has built a wide-reaching network of research and teaching partnerships throughout the world with exchange programs connecting it to around 480 universities globally. Its global footprint is complemented by 27 institutional collaborations with universities worldwide and involvement in networks like the 4EU+ European University Alliance, the League of European Research Universities, and the Coimbra Group. There are four foreign centers operated by the university in areas like Latin America, North America, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, complementing global connections and nourishing its strategic priority areas.
A leading Global Research Centre
Heidelberg University is an integral part of a distinctive research and development network in the city and the surrounding area. Heidelberg University cooperates extensively with many local research institutions and industrial partners. The main activities are research, teaching, technology transfer, and supporting young researchers. Heidelberg University is one of the founding members of the Health + Life Science Alliance Heidelberg Mannheim, a program aimed at establishing the Rhine-Neckar region as a global hotspot for biomedical and technological research and innovation, with a focus on the life sciences, health industry, and medical technology.
Study and Living in a Cosmopolitan Environment
Heidelberg provides a cosmopolitan and student-friendly setting, located in a region of high standard of living. The university offers a broad spectrum of sporting and leisure activities in addition to studies, with a well-rounded lifestyle. The cultural attractions of the city include cinema and music festivals, theaters, and a host of impressive museums, providing a rich and diverse cultural environment. Prominent local sights include the famous Heidelberg Castle, the historic old town streets and alleys, and the Philosophers’ Walk hillside promenade, breathtaking.
University Rankings
Choose type of rankings below to view stats
World University Rankings 2025: 47th
Arts and Humanities 2025: 37th
Medical and Health 2025: 38th
Computer Science 2025: 101-125th
Law 2025: 50th
Life Sciences 2025: 36th
Physical Sciences 2025: 39th
Psychology 2024: 73rd
Social Sciences 2017: 74th (tied)
Overall Rankings Breakdown (World University Rankings 2025)
Overall: 76.2
Teaching: 65.6
Research Environment: 63.4
Research Quality: 95.2
Industry: 99.3
International Outlook: 78.5
Key Student Statistics
Gender Ratio: 55% Female, 45% Male
International Students: 21%
Student to Staff Ratio: 13.3 students per staff
Total Students: 19,632
Subjects Taught at Heidelberg University
Arts and Humanities: Archaeology, Art, Performing Arts, History, Philosophy, Theology, Languages, Literature, Linguistics
Business and Economics: Economics, Econometrics
Computer Science: Computer Science
Education: Education Studies, Education
Law: Law
Life Sciences: Biological Sciences, Sport Science
Medical and Health: Medicine, Dentistry, Other Health
Physical Sciences: Chemistry, Geology, Environmental Science, Earth and Marine Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy
Psychology: Psychology
Social Sciences: Geography, Politics, International Studies, Sociology