Application to Pharmacy
First time applicants
German and EU citizens as well as foreign nationals with a German university entrance qualification can apply to participate in the selection process via the Dialog Orientierte Serviceverfahren (DOSV) at the Hochschulstart foundation.
Applications to the Hochschulstart foundation can be submitted from April 29 to July 15.
Please note that the application deadline for older high school graduates is May 31!
Study places are allocated as follows:
Advance quota: Approximately 10% of the available study places are allocated in advance to specific groups of applicants. These are: hardship cases, foreign nationals, and second-degree applicants.
The remaining places are then allocated in the three main quotas (HQ):
HQ1: High school graduation quota: 30% of the available places are allocated via this quota. The selection criterion here is the number of points achieved in the high school graduation exam. Secondary criteria are service and lottery.
HQ 2: Additional aptitude quota (ZEQ): 10% of study places are allocated via this quota. The average grade of the university entrance qualification does not play a role in the selection process for this quota; only the result of the PhaSt study aptitude test is taken into account.
HQ 3: University selection process (AdH): Finally, 60% of study places are allocated in the university selection process (AdH). The selection process also evaluates relevant vocational training, services, and successful participation in competitions. In addition, the result of the PhaSt study aptitude test is included in the evaluation. Participation in this test is voluntary – but highly recommended! Without the PhaSt, admission is very difficult to obtain.
Details on the weighting of the individual factors can be found in Heidelberg University's statutes for selection and admission to the pharmacy program leading to a state examination. Please also note the statutes of Ruprecht Karls University on the collection of fees for the subject-specific aptitude test for pharmacy studies (PhaST).
The most important points of the selection regulations in brief: Selection is based on a selection score. The total selection score of the applicants is calculated from the sum of the selection scores for each criterion. A maximum of 100 selection points can be achieved. The selection scores are determined for the criteria as follows:
High school diploma grade = maximum 60 selection points
Test result PhaSt study aptitude test = Maximum 30 selection points
Additional qualifications = Maximum 10 selection points
The additional qualifications are:
List 1: Vocational training (biology laboratory assistant, BTA, chemistry laboratory assistant, CTA, PTA) = maximum 4 selection points
List 2: Practical experience: Service (FSJ, FÖJ, German Armed Forces, at least 6 months) = maximum 3 selection points
List 3: Competitions: 1st to 3rd place nationally or regionally in Jugend forscht (Youth Research) in biology, chemistry, physics / International Chemistry Olympiad / International Biology Olympiad / German Mathematics Olympiad = maximum 3 selection points
Special regulations apply to foreign applicants. Information is available from the
Student Administration Office
Seminarstrasse 2
69117 Heidelberg.
For foreign students, Heidelberg University offers a Foundation Semester (a preparatory course) through the Studienkolleg.
German language skills must be demonstrated when applying. The DSH exam level 2 is a prerequisite for enrollment. Further information about the German language exam can be found here.
University transfer students and career changers
Before applying or enrolling, please contact the Student Administration Office at Heidelberg University and the Office of the Dean of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology.
Important information: Heidelberg pharmacy students are examined in the first section of the pharmaceutical examination (basic studies) using an alternative examination procedure. Instead of centralized multiple-choice exams, there are course-related exams that are taken at the end of each course and are weighted in the overall grade.
Students changing universities:
The application deadline for the winter semester is July 15.
The application deadline for the summer semester is January 15.
All applications for higher semesters must be submitted via the University of Heidelberg's online portal. Applications can only be made for the semester following the one listed on the current certificate of enrollment, regardless of the semester in which the applicant is currently enrolled. For the winter semester, applications are only possible for odd semesters (1, 3, 5, and 7), and for the summer semester, only for even semesters (2, 4, 6, and 8). Applications for the 5th semester or higher are only possible with proof of having passed the first state examination. The certificate can be submitted at a later date. Applications are only possible within the standard period of study (8 semesters).
Changing universities during your undergraduate studies is very difficult, as Heidelberg University uses the alternative examination procedure.
Academic achievements at other universities can only be recognized as examination achievements if an equivalent examination with a grade has actually taken place, which must be officially certified by a university lecturer at the other university.
If you are only certified as having “regular and successful participation” (regardless of whether with or without a grade), you must retake the examination for this course in Heidelberg at the next available date. You will only receive the first state examination once you have successfully passed all partial examinations in accordance with the examination regulations with 120 credit points.
Students who have changed universities must swear an affidavit that they have neither lost their examination entitlement in the subject of pharmacy nor exhausted the maximum number of retakes (usually 2) in a compulsory course according to the licensing regulations. This must be proven by a certificate from the previous university.
When registering at the Office of Student Affairs for Pharmacy, please bring your previous examination certificates (transcripts) and proof of academic achievement (certificates) with you, if you have not already submitted them. You can download a form for the examination certificates to be submitted here.
Foreign students who have changed universities require a credit transfer or placement certificate from the State Examination Office of Hesse.
Career changers require a placement certificate from the respective state examination office. If this is not yet available, you can inquire about it at the Study and Examination Office