In the middle of the Neckar River Valley in Germany, there is an extremely beautiful city, which is Heidelberg. This is the only intact ancient city in Germany with many beauties that are likened to paintings. Therefore, people call Heidelberg the “romantic city”. In this article, let’s explore this ancient city with My Career Vietnam to see what life is like here? What is the education system like? Is the cost expensive or not? Let’s find out!

Overview of the city of Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a small city in the state of Baden-Wüttemberg, located on the Neckar River in southwestern Germany. Heidelberg is part of the densely populated Rhine-Neckar metropolitan area. At the 2016 census, its population was 15,914, of which about a quarter were students.

Germany’s oldest and most prestigious university in Europe is Heidelberg University. The city of Heidelberg is a scientific centre in Germany and is home to several internationally renowned research facilities adjacent to its university, including the European Molecular Biology Laboratory and four Max Planck Institutes.

The city has also been a centre of the arts, especially literature, for centuries, and has been recognised as a “City of Literature” by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

The city of Heidelberg is located in the Rhine Rift Valley, on the left bank of the lower part of the Neckar in a steep valley in the Odenwald. It borders the Königsstuhl and Geisberg mountains. The Neckar here flows east ? west. On the right bank of the river, the Heiligenberg mountain rises to 445 metres.

The Neckar flows into the Rhine about 22 km northwest of Mannheim. Villages incorporated in the 20th century stretch from the Neckar Valley along the Bergstraße, a road that runs along the Odenwald hills.

Where to visit in Heidelberg?

Although many major German cities were affected by World War II, Heidelberg was almost completely preserved. This luck has preserved all the charm of Baroque architecture expressed in each ancient architectural work of this city.

Old Town (Altstadt)

Heidelberg is one of the best preserved historic cities in Germany. Next to the old town is the gentle Neckar River, which is crossed by the Old Bridge.

Here you can visit the city’s top tourist attractions such as the famous university, the Karlstor Gate (a triumphal arch in honour of Elector Karl Theodor), and the Zum Ritter Sankt Georg House (in late Renaissance style).

The main street Hauptstrasse is very flattering to visitors as it is lined with bars, restaurants, museums, art galleries, shops and markets selling traditional products such as Steins beer, cuckoo clocks and German sausages.

Lâu đài Heidelberg (Heidelberger Schloβ)

Looking up the hill from the old bridge, the Renaissance-style Heidelberg Castle sparkles in the golden-orange light of the sunset, a magical sight. It was the seat of the Palatinate Counts for five centuries before being destroyed by the French army during the War of Succession (1688-1697). To reach the castle, take the funicular from the square below up the mountain, which takes about 10 minutes. 

The castle’s most prominent attraction is the large wine barrels that symbolize the Lords’ love of wine. The largest wine barrel holds over 220,000 liters and is piped directly to the banquet room.

From the castle we will be impressed by the ancient orange-roofed houses stretching along the streets where the Neckar River flows through. The Renaissance and Gothic architecture on the castle facade paved with red sandstone is extremely attractive to the viewer.

Ancient Stone Bridge and City Gate

The famous 200-meter-long Karl Theodor Bridge, built in 1786, connects the old town with the right bank of the gentle Neckar River. People call this bridge Philosophenweg, or philosophers’ path.

The reason for this name comes from the fact that famous German philosophers and scientists often walked across this bridge to chat or simply enjoy the scenery on their way to university. This is one of the oldest bridges in Germany.

Attached to the bridge is a medieval gateway built on the old side of the city. Originally part of the city walls, the gateway was a gift from the people to Elector Karl Theodor and is rich in symbolism, including a portrait of him and his fiancée.

Church of the Holy Spirit (Heiliggeistkirche)

The Holy Spirit Cathedral is over 500 years old. It took 150 years to build it due to many interruptions. Construction began in 1398 in the Late Gothic style and is still preserved to this day. The Holy Spirit Cathedral is the largest and oldest church in the city.

Formerly, this is where the first manuscripts and printed documents of the famous Bibliotheca Palatina are preserved. When you come here, you will have to climb 208 steps to the top of the tower, a great place to enjoy the panoramic view of the city in the peaceful atmosphere of the church.

Education in Heidelberg

Heidelberg is home to 23 primary schools. There are a number of secondary schools, both public and private, representing all levels of the German school system. There are 14 specialist schools, 6 of which are private.

With 52% of high school students attending specialized schools, the city of Heidelberg is above the German average, perhaps because a large number of scholars live in Heidelberg and its surrounding areas.

Heidelberg University

This is the most famous university in the city of Heidelberg and is also one of the oldest institutions in Europe. Heidelberg University was founded in 1386. In fact, Heidelberg is the oldest university town in Germany today.

Among the prominent thinkers associated with this institution are Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Karl Jaspers, Hans-Georg Gadamer, Jürgen Habermas, Karl-Otto Apel and Hannah Arendt. The campus is located in two urban areas and several buildings.

Among the numerous historic buildings in the old town are the Faculties of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law. The School of Applied Sciences is located in the Science Tower in Wieblingen. The Faculties of Medicine and Natural Sciences are located on the Neuenheimer Feld Campus.

The University of Heidelberg campus has a total undergraduate enrollment of 30,898 (according to 2014 figures). The university’s enrollment rate is 16.3%. Less than 20% of the total student population is international.

The university also offers a wide range of study areas for international students, including theology, law, philosophy, modern languages, economics and social sciences. The university does not charge any fees to students. The school calendar is based on semesters and the language of instruction is mostly German.

For international students, the academic calendar is based on a block schedule. International students attend for a block period of 5 weeks. The University is spread over 3 campuses, each with different areas of study.

Vocational training in Heidelberg city

Although the city of Heidelberg is small, there are schools where you can study a trade here. Here are some popular trade study programs in Heidelberg that you can refer to.

Nursing

• Common allowance level: from 900 – 1200 Euro/month
• Admission requirements: 

1. high school graduation 
2. No infectious diseases 
3. No criminal record 
4. Have German B1 certificate

Hospitality Industry

• Typical allowance: 950 Euro/month in the first year
• Admission requirements

1. high school graduation 
2. No infectious diseases 
3. No criminal record 
4. Have German B1 certificate

In addition to the popular occupations above, if you wish to participate in other occupations in Heidelberg city, you can contact My Career Vietnam directly for more consulting information.

Advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad in Germany in Heidelberg city

Advantage

Good education system: 

Heidelberg city in Baden-Wüttemberg state is one of the states with the best education system in Germany, with many prestigious universities and colleges.

High quality education: 

Universities and colleges here are famous for their high quality education, especially in the fields of science and technology.

Research and development opportunities: 

Baden-Württemberg is one of the most economically developed states in Germany, with many opportunities to participate in research and development projects.

Good living conditions: 

Heidelberg is a safe and clean city with many job opportunities, especially in high-tech industries.

Diverse culture: 

In Heidelberg, international students can experience the diverse cultures of Germany and other European countries, from cuisine to art and history.

Defect

High cost:

The cost of studying and living here is quite high, especially for international students.

Language difficulties:

German is the official language in Germany and studying and interacting with students and teachers requires students to have good German language skills.

Difficulty in finding a job after graduation: 

However, with a growing economy, graduates in Heidelberg city in particular and Baden-Württemberg state in general still have many job opportunities in high-tech fields.

Cost of studying and living in Heidelberg city 

The cost of studying and living in Heidelberg depends on many factors such as the type of institution, level of education, location and living expenses. Below are some basic costs for international students studying in Heidelberg.

Tuition fees

On average, tuition fees for international students range from 1,500 to 4,500 EUR per year at universities in the city of Heidelberg and the state of Baden-Württemberg. However, some special schools have higher tuition fees, which can be up to 10,000 EUR per year.

Cost of living

The cost of living in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg is also relatively high compared to other areas in Germany. The average cost of renting a room is around 300-500 EUR per month in the suburbs, and around 500-800 EUR per month in the city center. Food and transportation costs also depend on the area, with around 200-300 EUR per month for food and around 100-150 EUR per month for transportation.

Documentation and visa fees

International students are required to pay application fees, visa processing fees and paperwork related costs when applying for a visa in Germany.

Other living expenses

Other expenses include textbooks, school supplies, personal items, and other fees such as health insurance premiums.

The average total cost for international students studying in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg is around 800-1,200 EUR per month, depending on the area and lifestyle of each student. However, seeking financial support from the school or sponsoring organizations can help reduce the cost significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I study vocational training in Heidelberg city?

Heidelberg city is located in Baden-Württemberg state, one of the most developed states in Germany. Studying in Heidelberg city after graduation will have many job opportunities.

What are the conditions for vocational study in Heidelberg city?

Conditions for vocational study in Heidelberg city in particular and other cities in Germany in general are:

1. high school graduation 
2. No infectious diseases 
3. No criminal record 
4. Have German B1 certificate

summary

Heidelberg is located in the state of Baden-Württemberg, one of the leading developed states in Germany. Not only is it famous for its cultural history, but it also has a long-standing education system. This is an ideal place for international students to study, live and work. Known as one of Germany’s leading industrial, economic and research centers, it offers many job and start-up opportunities for graduates.