Universidad Paraguayo-Alemana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Heidelberg-Asunción
Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- Founded
- 2014
- Programmes
- 5
About Universidad Paraguayo-Alemana de Ciencias Aplicadas
The Universidad Paraguayo-Alemana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPA) is a private binational university of applied sciences established through a partnership between the Unión Industrial Paraguaya (UIP) and SRH Holding - the operator of SRH Hochschule Heidelberg, Germany. Founded in 2014 and based in San Lorenzo, Greater Asunción, it is the first German-Paraguayan university and one of the few institutions in Latin America where graduates earn degrees recognised simultaneously in Paraguay and in the German state of Baden-Württemberg (valid throughout the European Union).
The academic model mirrors SRH's CORE Prinzip: competence-based learning delivered in intensive five-week modules, combining professional, social, and methodological skills. All students complete a mandatory academic year in Heidelberg, Germany, including internships with local and European companies. Undergraduate programmes run four to five years and are offered across two faculties - Engineering Sciences (Industrial Engineering, Civil Engineering) and Business Sciences (Business Engineering, Business Information Technologies). A postgraduate Business School, inaugurated in November 2024 in San Lorenzo with a planned branch in Ciudad del Este, offers MBA, master's, doctorate, and diploma programmes in partnership with SRH.
Approximately 450 students had graduated across all cohorts by early 2024, with 80 new professionals completing their degrees in 2025. The university holds accreditation from Paraguay's Consejo Nacional de Educación Superior (CONES) and degree recognition from Baden-Württemberg's higher education authority.
Binational degrees recognised in Paraguay and the European Union (Baden-Württemberg accreditation)
Mandatory academic year and internship at SRH Hochschule Heidelberg, Germany
CORE Prinzip competence-based learning in intensive 5-week modules
Two faculties: Engineering Sciences and Business Sciences; postgraduate Business School from 2024
Partnership with ~60 national and international companies for internships and applied projects
FABLAB and innovation lab supporting applied research with SMEs
Key facts
- Type
- Fachhochschulen / HAW
- Founded
- 2014
- Faculties
- 2
- Programmes
- 5
Study programmes
5 accredited degrees at Universidad Paraguayo-Alemana de Ciencias Aplicadas.
Showing 1–5 of 5 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
UPA is a private fee-paying institution. At launch (2014) the monthly fee was approximately USD 600. Current fees are not published on the official site; prospective students should contact UPA directly. Scholarships are available for selected programmes. UPA is not subject to Baden-Württemberg's EUR 1,500/semester non-EU fee (that applies to German public universities, not to this Paraguayan private institution).
Admission requirements
Applicants must hold a Paraguayan secondary school leaving certificate (bachillerato) or equivalent. Selection is competitive: candidates are assessed on academic performance and motivation. Basic knowledge of English or German is expected at entry. The first year is conducted in Spanish; instruction progressively shifts to English from year 2. APS certificate is not applicable (UPA is a Paraguayan institution - not a German university - so Indian/Chinese/Vietnamese APS requirements do not apply to enrolment in Paraguay; however, the mandatory Germany semester at SRH Heidelberg is covered by UPA's exchange framework, not a separate German university application).
Languages of instruction
Trilingual: Spanish (primary), English (from year 2 onwards), and German. Students study two hours of English and German daily in year 1.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Campuses & locations
Main campus. Address: Lope de Vega N° 1279, esq. Atilio Galfre, San Lorenzo, Paraguay. All undergraduate programmes.
Inaugurated November 2024. Postgraduate programmes (MBA, master's, doctorates, diplomas).
Branch campus announced 2024; exact opening date not confirmed.
Living in Baden-Württemberg
San Lorenzo is part of the Gran Asunción metropolitan area, approximately 12 km east of the Paraguayan capital. It is home to Paraguay's largest public university (UNA) and has a population of roughly 250,000-300,000. The city offers affordable living costs compared to Western Europe and good transport links to central Asunción.
Student life & support
Students benefit from a FABLAB equipped with 3D printers, laser cutting machines, and CNC tools, as well as the Laboratorio de Investigación e Innovación (Labii), which has partnered with over 230 SMEs on applied research projects. The full-time study schedule (Monday-Friday, 08:00-17:00) and module-based structure foster close cohort interaction. The mandatory Germany semester at SRH Heidelberg gives students direct exposure to European industry and academic life.
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