Legal remark: This section explains "Admission Rules" (Zulassungsordnung) in English language.  According to German law, only the German version of the admission rules is finally binding for the admission. 

Step 1: Get an account on heiCO and apply

To start the application process, please open an account in the online application module and submit all necessary data:

• latest university diploma (if you already completed a university degree)
• transcript of records of your latest university studies
• list/table of prior modules in a) mathematics and b) computer science (separated) in a university program listing name of the module, credits, grade
• explanation of the grading system from your current/latest university
• language certificate (European Language Level English B2 or equivalent or TOEFL iBT with score 90 or better out of 120 or IELTS with score 6.5 or better).
  Remark: If you come from a country with English as teaching language, please see the FAQ for replacements of the English certificate.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) in table form
• letter of motivation (English, 1-2 pages)
• confirmation that, you, the candidate, did never forfeit the examination claim in a master's program on Scientific Computing or a differently named master's program with largely the same content - this used to be a separate document but is not part of the applicants data (in fact: just a checkbox). 

Timeline for application

Heidelberg University continuously accepts applications. Note that due to processing times and visa applications, students from different geographical areas should keep in mind to apply early enough to be sure to arrive in Heidelberg before the start of the lectures.

Start of lectures:

• Winter term: mid of October
• Summer term: mid of April

For the exact dates please refer to the announcement of Heidelberg University central administration.
 

Applications for the winter term

Start of application: April 1st

Applications for the summer term

Start of application: October 1st

Remark: While the online application system takes applications until the first day of the term, applications after the internal deadline will not be evaluated in time for students to start their studies. In your own interest: Submit your applications within four weeks after the start of the application period to get a smooth application, evaluation and enrollment.

Step 2: Evaluation of your application in 3 steps

The department will check all your application data. Please note that we will simply not process any incomplete applications. Admission is granted in three steps:

• Central university will check your principle eligibility for the program.
• The faculty will evaluate your application and your prior education regarding a proper fit to the program you apply to.
• The central admission office will decide on an offer for each candidate based on the two previous evaluations.

This process takes at least 4-8 weeks to complete.

The foreign admission office will check your application data and certificates. Only if the application is complete and fullfills the formal criteria will the foreign admission office transfer the application to the Faculty for Mathematics and Computer Science for the decision on the admission.

Step 3: Enrollment

After arrival at Heidelberg, students must enroll into the program personally. The enrollment office can ask for original documents to confirm the data supplied with the application. Enrollment will be confirmed if the admission slip of the faculty is valid and the original documents confirm the data submitted during the application for admission.

Further Information

• University information web pages on admission for consecutive master programs with access restriction
• General information on the program including administrative questions
• Web page of the Faculty for Mathematics and Computer Science regarding admission to the master program (in German)