All modules can be completed in English.
Lectures and seminars usually start in the third week of October in the winter semester and in the third week of April in the summer semester.
If you require a visa to study in Germany, please enquire with your respective German embassy or consulate about the duration of the visa application process. Please also start preparing your application early to allow sufficient time to submit your university and visa applications, as well as to finalise your travel arrangements and prepare for arrival in Germany. If you arrive late, you may not be able to attend courses in the first semester. Please contact us well in advance of the start of the lecture period, and inform us of your arrival date in Heidelberg and whether you need help with programme registration.
Winter semester: 1 April to 30 September
Summer semester: 1 October to 31 March
Students from EU and EEA countries only pay the semester contribution.
The tuition fee for international students from non-EU/EEA countries is 1,500 EUR per semester plus the semester contribution. The tuition fee ordinance is currently under review for elimination by the federal state.
https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/en/study/management-studies/tuition-fees/
This two-year degree programme is one of three Master's programmes offered by the South Asia Institute of Heidelberg University, Germany. The classes are taught in English, fostering a dynamic learning environment in small groups comprising students from all over the world, who bring a range of perspectives to the interdisciplinary discussions.
Offering a research-oriented approach, the curriculum features a broad range of classes that engage with historical, social, and current political and economic developments and events as well as the geography and environment across South Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
The objective of the programme is to acquaint students with interdisciplinary paradigms prevalent in the humanities and social sciences, thereby cultivating their capacity for independent work and self-reflexivity. Students tailor their studies by selecting a study focus, and they can further customise their learning path with additional courses, including language acquisition.
Students can choose from the following study focuses:
The governments of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka also sponsor guest professorships, which complement and enrich the curriculum by bringing diverse perspectives and current insights from the region. Additionally, open talks by professors, writers, and social and cultural activists are organised throughout the year, offering students valuable opportunities for direct engagement with diverse viewpoints and current debates.
For students wishing to learn a South Asian language or further their existing knowledge, the programme offers regular instruction in ten languages: Bengali, Dari, Hindi, Classical Tibetan, Nepali, Pali, Sanskrit, Sinhala, Tamil, and Urdu. The languages are part of in-house minor programmes, which can be flexibly combined with the major.
While providing numerous combination possibilities, the Master's programme also emphasises in-depth disciplinary education through a chosen study focus.
The 120 CP MA programme is structured into 90 course credits (completed in the first three semesters) and 30 credits for the final Master's thesis and oral examination. The coursework comprises four parts:
The university and SAI offer a wide array of exchange programmes, providing motivated students with opportunities to gain international experience through a one-semester study period at partner universities.
Students from EU and EEA countries only pay the semester contribution.
The tuition fee for international students from non-EU/EEA countries is 1,500 EUR per semester plus the semester contribution. The tuition fee ordinance is currently under review for elimination by the federal state.
https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/en/study/management-studies/tuition-fees/
Approx. 161 EUR
Heidelberg University estimates that the average cost of living and studying in Heidelberg is around 1000 EUR per month. This figure can vary depending on your lifestyle. Visit the following website for a breakdown of potential monthly expenses:
Funding opportunities within and in cooperation with the university
To be considered for admission, applicants typically hold an above-average Bachelor's degree in their chosen study focus or a closely related discipline. Candidates who can demonstrate equivalent proficiency in these areas, for example, through relevant extracurricular activities or professional experience, are also encouraged to apply.
Evidence of English language proficiency
You have to provide evidence of your proficiency in English (Level C1: ≳7 [IELTS]; ≳180 [Cambridge C1 Advanced]; ≳95 [TOEFL]).
If your first language is English and you are a citizen of a majority English-speaking country OR you earned your Bachelor's degree in a majority English-speaking country, then you do not need to demonstrate English proficiency (Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, USA).
Evidence of German language proficiency is not needed
Successful completion of the study programme doesn't necessitate German language skills. However, a passive knowledge of German will significantly enhance your access to the university's offerings, student services, and the richness of life in Germany.
Winter semester: 1 April to 30 September
Summer semester: 1 October to 31 March
Information about admission: https://www.sai.uni-heidelberg.de/en/study-at-sai/start-your-application-now
Online application portal: https://heico.uni-heidelberg.de/
Enrolled students are generally permitted to work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week during the lecture period. This limitation does not apply during semester breaks. Students who are not citizens of EU member states may be subject to additional restrictions and should consult the local foreigners' registration office for specific information.
Once you have submitted your application for one of our degree programmes online, please also immediately apply for residence hall accommodation or start looking for a room/apartment on the private housing market (general information about how to find accommodation in Heidelberg). An admission letter is not required when registering for a place in a residence hall. You can submit an admission letter at a later stage.
The university offers a comprehensive career planning service.
The university provides onboarding events and workshops during the week preceding the start of the lecture period to help new students integrate into university life. The SAI extends a warm welcome to all new students with an informal event at the beginning of the semester, offering an opportunity to connect with faculty and senior students.
To support language acquisition, the SAI offers a free German language course (A1/A2) each year. Additionally, the institute provides guidance in identifying suitable German language courses offered by private providers, Heidelberg University, and German institutions, as well as connecting students with private tutors in South Asia. New students can also participate in the "tandem" language exchange programme, which pairs them with German students for mutual language practice. Upon arrival, the SAI's IT service assists incoming students in establishing quick access to all university services.
Heidelberg University is a comprehensive university integrating the natural and social sciences with the humanities. It is one of Germany’s top universities (Germany’s leading university in QS World University Ranking) and one of the oldest in Europe, with approximately 30,000 students from 130 countries. The South Asia Institute is Europe’s leading centre for South Asian Studies, with departments of Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Classical Indology, and Modern South Asian Languages and Literatures. Affiliated professors teach Art History, Buddhism, and Media Studies. The South Asia Institute regularly offers courses in eleven South Asian languages, cooperates with other summer schools in Germany and India, and has one of the world's largest libraries for South Asian Studies as well as branch offices in different South Asian countries.
Founded in 1386, Heidelberg, Germany's oldest university, seamlessly blends centuries of academic tradition with a dynamic modern lifestyle. As a quintessential "university town," it thrives on the energy of its large student population, which fuels a lively nightlife and a diverse cultural scene. While steeped in history, evident in its magnificent castle and numerous medieval monuments that draw international visitors, Heidelberg is also strategically located near major hubs like Mannheim, Stuttgart, and Frankfurt (a short 15 to 45-minute commute). This proximity offers students and residents alike access to metropolitan amenities and employment opportunities. Within Heidelberg itself, a wide spectrum of cultural experiences awaits, from concerts and theatres to art galleries and various sporting events, ensuring a rich and engaging environment for all.
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