Universidad Paraguayo-Alemana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Heidelberg-Asunción

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.

Key facts

Founded: 2014
Faculties: 2

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

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

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.

Campuses & locations

San Lorenzo Campus

Main campus. Address: Lope de Vega N° 1279, esq. Atilio Galfre, San Lorenzo, Paraguay. All undergraduate programmes.

Business School — San Lorenzo

Inaugurated November 2024. Postgraduate programmes (MBA, master's, doctorates, diplomas).

Business School — Ciudad del Este (planned)

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.

International Office: International students page →

Accredited Programmes

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus

Master