Foundation Semester Course
Overview
- What is the Foundation Semester Course?
- How do I profit from the Foundation Semester Course?
- Who can do the Foundation Semester Course?
- What will I learn?
- How does the Foundation Semester Course cost?
- When and where does the Foundation Semester Course take place?
- How to apply?
- How can I get a visa?
- How can I find accommodation?
- What is my status while doing the Foundation Semester Course?
1. What is the Foundation Semester Course?
Our Foundation Semester Course ("Propädeutisches Vorsemester") is a specialized one-semester preparation course for international prospective students planning to study at German universities. In this course, we teach you both subject knowledge and subject-specific language skills that will prepare you for your intended degree programme.
Please note: This is not a general language course to help you learn German; advanced knowledge of German is a prerequisite. If you need to learn German first, you should apply for our →Kolleg für deutsche Sprache und Kultur instead.
At the International Study Centre (ISZ) of Heidelberg University, you can do a Foundation Semester Course as a preparation for either of the following fields of study:
(A) German language and literature ("Germanistik"), humanities, and arts | (B) BioMed Kolleg (Medical and biology-related degree programmes) | ||||
This course is offered
|
This course is offered
In September, before the start of the winter semester, we offer a four-week →BioMed Kolleg in addition. Admission to this course can only be granted to prospective students with non-German university entrance qualifications and letters of admission from Heidelberg University for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, biochemistry, biosciences, or molecular biology. |
2. How do I profit from the Foundation Semester Course?
Starting at university is always a big challenge, especially if you are going to study abroad. German universities are sure to differ in many ways from your home country: You will experience differences in, for example, their organization and methodology as well as the scientific language and academic techniques to be employed here. The way degree programmes are structured will leave you no time for a long settling-in period. This is why a good preparation is so important for you to succeed at university.
Our Foundation Semester Course introduces you to academic techniques and prepares you for the general and language-related requirements of your intended degree programme. Having successfully completed the course, you will receive a written evaluation of your achievements, which may improve your chances when applying for a place on one of the above (A, B) fields of study at Heidelberg University.
3. Who can do the Foundation Semester Course?
You can apply for the PFoundation Semester Course if you are interested in one of the two relevant fields of study and meet the respective requirements:
(A) German language and literature ("Germanistik"), humanities, and arts | (B) BioMed Kolleg (Medical and biology-related degree programmes) |
(1) You are in possession of a direct
university entrance qualification ("direkte
Hochschulzugangsberechtigung/HZB") for the
intended degree programme at Heidelberg
University. On the Internet pages of the →Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (German language only) you can check if you meet the formal requirements („Suchen“ → select the country of your diploma/certificate → select your diploma/certificate). |
(1) You are in possession of a direct
university entrance qualification ("direkte
Hochschulzugangsberechtigung/HZB") for the
intended degree programme at Heidelberg
University. On the Internet pages of the →Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (German language only) you can check if you meet the formal requirements („Suchen“ → select the country of your diploma/certificate → select your diploma/certificate). |
(2) You are in possession of (a) a DSH certificate scoring at least level DSH-2 or an →equivalent German language certificate. or (b) a proof of German language proficiency at GER level B2 |
(2) a DSH certificate scoring at least level DSH-2 or an →equivalent German language certificate. |
4. What will I learn?
(A) German language and literature ("Germanistik"),
humanities, and arts This course has been developed by the International Study Centre in cooperation with the →Institute of German as a Foreign Language Philology (IDF) as a targeted preparation for your Germanistik studies at the IDF. |
(B) BioMed Kolleg (Medical and biology-related degree
programmes) At Heidelberg and many other German universities, admission for beginners to medical or biology-related degree programmes is granted only in winter semesters. This course allows you to use the summer semester effectively getting prepared for your studies. |
Content of teaching On this course,
|
Content of teaching On this course,
|
Subjects (a) If you are in possession of a DSH certificate scoring at least level DSH-2 or an equivalent certificate, you will have 28 45-minute classes per week:
|
Subjects You will have 20 45-minute classes per week:
|
5. How much does the Foundation Semester Course cost?
course fee | € 505.00 | |
+ | university fees | →current fees |
6. When and where does the Foundation Semester Course take place?
Changes due
to the coronavirus: Please regularly check our →homepage for announcements of changes and further information! |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Class times: Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 3:15 pm. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Location: Studienkolleg building, Im Neuenheimer Feld 684, 69120 Heidelberg (→map). |
7. How to apply?
Please use our →application form (PDF document)
Please send your complete application (see check list on the →application form, page 4) at due time to this address: Internationales Studienzentrum – PVS – Im Neuenheimer Feld 684 69120 Heidelberg GERMANY |
||||||||
We send our
replies: - applications for winter semesters: by mid-September - applications for summer semesters: by mid-March |
Phone: +49 6221 54-5940 E-mail: studienkolleg@isz.uni-heidelberg.de |
8. How can I get a visa?
To enter Germany and attend the Foundation Semester Course, you will normally need a visa, unless there are specific regulations for your country. If you apply successfully with the ISZ for our Foundation Semester Course, you will receive a letter of admission from us. With that document you can apply for the required visa. Please understand that the ISZ cannot interfere with visa proceedings.
For more information on visa regulations, click here:
- information page of Heidelberg University
- information page of The Federal Foreign Office (German State Department)
9. How can I find accommodation?
It is not easy to quickly
find reasonably priced accommodation in Heidelberg. So
start looking for it as soon as possible.
The ISZ itself does not offer accommodation or
related services. You can, however, apply
for accommodation with the
Studierendenwerk Heidelberg, even before being admitted to the German courses. To go
on, please click here:
|
10. What is my status while doing the Foundation Semester Course?
Having started the Foundation Semester Course, you will have to enrol at Heidelberg University. You will then be an official university student and receive a student identity card.
![]() |
This will allow you, amongst other things, to
|