Master of Theological Studies Application Process and Requirements

There are two official application deadlines:

• March 31 for the summer semester (running from mid-April to mid-July)
• September 30 for the fall/winter semester (running from mid-October to mid-February)

Please note that processing you visa application and enrollment at the university can take several weeks. We, therefore, strongly advise to submit your application two months earlier than the official deadline, if at all possible. 

Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in theology, religious studies or a neighboring discipline with a minimum grade of 2.7 (GPA: 2.3).

Language requirements

All applicants who are NOT native speakers of English must show evidence of proficiency in the English language either by attaining a satisfactory score (a minimum 6,5.0 band score in all areas) on the International English Language Testing System (please note that we do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake) examination or by having received a degree from an accredited university or college (minimum of three full years of course work) where English is the language of instruction. 

We also accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

•  TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
•   C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
•   Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
•   PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
•   Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 5 in each component

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

German language skills are not a requirement.

Application documents

To apply for the MA program, you need to send the following documents by regular mail:

• Application form (link, only for international students): 
• CV
• University degree certificates & transcripts (certified copies)
• University entrance qualification (certified copy)
• Letter of motivation (app. 600 words)
• Proof of proficiency in English

Official certification of documents is only required after admission. Please note the certification guidelines of the university (link „certification of documents“).

Please read the information (link: "required documents") carefully, as it mentions additional documents for international students.

Please submit your application documents online via heiCO (link).

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the program coordinator Dr. Christopher Nunn at christopher.nunn@theologie.uni-heidelberg.de.