Hochschule für Jüdische Studien Heidelberg

About Hochschule für Jüdische Studien Heidelberg

The Hochschule für Jüdische Studien Heidelberg (HfJS) is a publicly recognised specialist university dedicated to Jewish Studies, located at Landfriedstraße 12 in the heart of Heidelberg's old town. Founded in 1979 by the Central Council of Jews in Germany and granted state recognition in 1983, it was accredited by the German Science Council (Wissenschaftsrat) in 2009. The institution describes itself as the largest European centre for Jewish Studies in conjunction with the humanities and social sciences, and holds the right to award doctorates.

The university is organised around 11 specialised academic chairs covering Hebrew linguistics, Talmudic studies, Jewish history, Jewish philosophy, Jewish art, and related disciplines. It offers a full range of degrees — Bachelor's, Master's, Master of Education, and doctoral programmes — and is open to all students regardless of religious affiliation or origin. Many Master's programmes are delivered in English or bilingually, making the institution accessible to international students without advanced German.

Academic life is closely intertwined with the University of Heidelberg: Bachelor's students in Jewish Studies must combine their major with a second subject studied at Heidelberg University, and HfJS enrolment deadlines follow Heidelberg University's calendar. On campus, students have access to the Albert Einstein academic library, a Beth Midrash for Jewish-text study, and a kosher canteen.

Key facts

Founded: 1979

Only specialist university for Jewish Studies in Germany with full university status and doctorate-awarding rights

Described as the largest European centre for Jewish Studies within the humanities and social sciences

Open to all students regardless of religious affiliation — Jewish and non-Jewish students study together

M.A. Jewish Civilizations taught fully in English — accessible to international students without C1 German

Institutional partnerships with Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ben-Gurion University, University of Vienna, and others

Szloma-Albam-Stiftung scholarship available for non-EU students with Jewish background in the M.A. Jewish Civilizations programme

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

No tuition fees at the HfJS itself. However, students are required to pay the semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) at Heidelberg University, which covers the student union fee and administrative costs. Baden-Württemberg levies an additional non-EU international student fee of €1,500 per semester (applicable to non-EU nationals). Exact semester contribution amounts should be verified with Heidelberg University's student services.

Admission requirements

Applicants require a general higher education entrance qualification (Hochschulreife or equivalent) for Bachelor's entry, or a completed Bachelor's degree for Master's entry. No additional subject-specific prior knowledge is formally required beyond the general entry qualification. APS certificate is required for applicants from India, China, and Vietnam whose prior qualification was awarded there. Language requirements are not published in detail on the official site; prospective international students should contact the Student Secretariat directly. Bachelor's programmes are German-taught, so German proficiency (typically C1/TestDaF) is expected; the English-taught M.A. Jewish Civilizations is the clearest English-track option for international students. Enrollment deadlines follow Heidelberg University's calendar.

Application deadlines

Bachelor's programmes (no numerus clausus): enrolment open 1 June – 31 October for winter semester; 1 December – 30 April for summer semester. Master's programmes: 1 June – 30 September for winter semester; 1 December – 31 March for summer semester. Deadlines align with Heidelberg University's calendar. Source: hfjs.eu dates-and-deadlines page.

Languages of instruction

German and English. Bachelor's programmes are taught in German. Most Master's programmes are taught bilingually (German/English); M.A. Jewish Civilizations is fully English-taught.

Campuses & locations

Main Campus

Landfriedstraße 12, 69117 Heidelberg — single campus including the Albert Einstein library, Beth Midrash, and kosher canteen

Living in Baden-Württemberg

Heidelberg is a historic university city on the Neckar River in Baden-Württemberg, home to Germany's oldest university (founded 1386). With a population of around 160,000, it offers a compact, walkable old town, outstanding public transport, and a lively international student community. Cost of living is moderate by German standards, though higher than smaller German cities. The city is easily connected to Frankfurt (50 min by train) and the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan area.

Student life & support

The HfJS community is small and highly specialised, fostering close contact between students and faculty. The kosher canteen and Beth Midrash support the observant Jewish student community. Students also benefit from the broader cultural and social life of Heidelberg University, including student clubs, sports facilities, and the Studierendenwerk Heidelberg for housing and counselling. The university's Internationalization Office (established December 2022) coordinates Erasmus+ exchanges and study-abroad funding (PROMOS scholarships) for outgoing students.

International Office: [email protected] International students page →

Accredited Programmes

Master