The nine traditional research universities combine teaching and learning with independent research, applied and pure. The focus is on academic work, and the length of a course of study is comparable to that of university courses all over the world. Students become equipped for professional lives in which they will apply the scientific knowledge and methods they have acquired. By fostering new generations of leading-edge scientists through technology transfer, post-graduate and continuing education, and a close dialogue with industry, research universities ensure Baden-Württemberg’s status as a center of scientific excellence.

The universities offer the following fields of study: medicine, natural sciences, engineering, law, economics, the humanities and social sciences, agriculture and forestry. Although studies at a university are based on fairly strict regulations, they nevertheless offer flexibility: The broad range of subjects allows interdisciplinary study or specialization, as the student wishes, and there are opportunities for students to pursue individual and independent research.

The research universities are located in Freiburg, Heidelberg, Hohenheim, Karlsruhe, Konstanz, Mannheim, Stuttgart, Tübingen and Ulm. Four of them (Freiburg, Heidelberg / Mannheim, Tübigen and Ulm) have medical schools. These also offer a wide range of continuing education courses for practicing physicians. Also a part of the university landscape are the International University in Bruchsal and the Zeppelin University in Friedrichshafen, two new small private universities in the Anglo-American tradition.

These universities prepare students to teach in primary, secondary or special-education schools. The standard course of study leads to the so-called first state examination (Erstes Staatsexamen) after six to eight semesters and to the second state examination (Zweites Staatsexamen) after another three semesters of study. Each of these universities has international partnership and exchange programs. They also participate in training high-school and vocational-school teachers and offer continuing education courses for teachers who are already employed in schools. Their campuses are located in Freiburg, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, Ludwigsburg, Schwäbisch-Gmünd and Weingarten.

The institutions in this category include the State Academy of Fine Arts Karlsruhe, the State University of Arts and Design, also in Karlsruhe, and the State Academy of Art and Design Stuttgart. The scope of approaches to the arts allows students to focus on more specialized aspects of the field, from fine arts through applied arts to media theory. The art universities combine theory and performance in a mutually enhancing way.

The universities of music and performing arts in Baden-Württemberg are renowned worldwide. They offer young artists the opportunity to acquire concrete musical skills such as aural training, conducting and composition, as well as the more scientific skills of music theory and principles of music education and teacher training. Some of them even offer special areas like jazz/popular music and dance. The first university of music was founded in Stuttgart in 1857. Today there are five music universities, located in Freiburg, Mannheim, Karlsruhe, Stuttgart and Trossingen. The Pop Academy Baden-Württemberg is the most recent addition to the academic music landscape. This academy offers bachelor’s degrees in music business and pop music design and is the first of its kind in Germany.

Universities of applied sciences represent a relatively recent but highly successful development in Germany’s higher education. They focus on a more practically oriented method of education with individualized teaching in small groups and a highly structured curriculum. Courses have examinations scheduled throughout, which count towards the final degree. Research is also conducted at these institutions, although it is more directed towards practical requirements. Conventional “theoretical” courses tend not to be found here, as the subject matter is geared towards the needs of the professional, for example, in engineering, business administration, design and the social services.

The rising popularity of these institutions is reflected in the fact that today about 60% of all engineers and business administration graduates come from universities of applied sciences. Another vital feature of the Fachhochschulen is their emphasis on offering various services to the respective region. Their intensive connections to regional industry and public administrations help students to become familiar with the requirements of the working world. For a listing of universities of applied sciences, cf. the institution profiles below. Information about private universities of applied sciences can be found on the respective websites (cf. list at the end of this page).

The universities of cooperative education, a successful and trendsetting innovation in the educational landscape of Baden-Württemberg, combine phases of academic study in alternation with phases of practical, on-the-job training in companies and corporations. Bosch, Daimler-Benz and SEL helped pioneer this form of higher education in the early 1970s. At these institutions, two partners – companies and the universities of cooperative education – help students acquire the qualifications for their professional careers.

This dual structure is the defining characteristic of the universities of cooperative education. While companies provide for the students’ practical training, the eight state universities of cooperative education (plus three branch locations) provide the requisite theoretical knowledge in compact, tightly structured three-year programs. The campuses are located in Heidenheim, Karlsruhe, Lörrach, Mannheim, Mosbach plus Bad Mergentheim (branch), Ravensburg plus Friedrichshafen (branch), Stuttgart plus Horb (branch) and Villingen-Schwenningen. They offer programs in the fields of economics, engineering, technology, informatics, computer science, media design, the social sciences, business administration and related sub-specialties.

A practical and simple way of avoiding a lot of paperwork and time-consuming searching is the Service-Package offered by several student service organisations at the institutions of higher education. This eases you into everyday German life, saving you a lot of administrative hassle. The Service-Package covers three areas of student life in a cost-effective way – from accommodation and catering to a range of insurances. It is seen as an initial aid for new students from abroad and can therefore only be booked for a maximum of two semesters.

Depending on location, the Service-Package includes:

• Single room in a halls of residence
• Semester ticket for free use of public transport services (not including the German railways)
• Social contribution costs which entitle students to free social and psychological counselling as well as free legal advice and student insurance (including insurance for accidents and theft) at the student services.
• Supervision by tutors, trips and cultural events
• Catering in the student restaurant (Mensa)

The following options are also available:

• Health-insurance and nursing care-insurance (approx. Euro 300 per semester)

The cost of the Service-Package ranges from Euro 1,100 and 1,700 per semester depending on the student service organisation. All optional extras listed cost an additional amount. This is a limited offer and is based on the amount of rooms in the halls of residence that are available for this offer. You are entitled to apply for this offer once you have been accepted at the institution of higher education. If you are interested, feel free to contact the student service organisation responsible.

Studentenwerk Freiburg
Studentenwerk Heidelberg
Studentenwerk Hohenheim
Studentenwerk Karlsruhe
Studentenwerk Konstanz
Studentenwerk Mannheim
Studentenwerk Stuttgart
Studentenwerk Tübingen
Studentenwerk Ulm