Bilateral exchange programs of the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences Exchange programs
Partner universities in the People's Republic of China
The Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences maintains a direct exchange program with three partner universities in China. In the course of the direct exchange, study places are exchanged with partner universities on a reciprocal basis.
For students of all institutes of the faculty, a total of eight exchange places at three universities are available, each for one semester or one academic year starting in winter.

- At Beijing Foreign Studies University BFSU (Beijing), three Bachelor/Master students can complete a full academic year at the "German Department". Courses at the “School of International Relations and Diplomacy” and courses of other programs such as “International Business of China” or “International Diplomacy of China” can also be taken by arrangement.
- Two bachelor's/master's students of the faculty can also take a full year abroad at Hong Kong Baptist University HKBU (Hong Kong) in the “European Studies” program. For more information, see the HKBU Foreign Student Handbook.
- The Shanghai International Studies University SISU (Shanghai) offers three places for Heidelberg students of the Bachelor/Master programs of the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences who want to study one year at the “German Department” (by arrangement also in other programs).
Tuition fees are waived for our exchange students.
Questions concerning the stay (visa regulations, accommodation, insurance, etc.) can be addressed by program participants to our department in the International Office.
Please note: Studies in the People's Republic of China begin in the winter semester.
Prior to the start of the exchange program, the students enter into a “Learning Agreement” with the sending institute (academic advising), which forms the firm basis for the recognition of academic achievements acquired abroad.
After their return, the students commit themselves to write a field report of 5-10 pages, which should give interested students an insight into the daily life at the two universities. The field reports can be viewed at the Internationalization Officer of the IPW Julia Wießmann.

Application process
For the bilateral exchange programs of the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences with the People's Republic of China there is a central selection procedure, which is supported by a representative of each participating institute (Prof. Dr. Axel Dreher; Prof. Dr. Switgard Feuerstein/AWI, Prof. Dr. Sebastian Harnisch/IPW; Dr. Steffen Sigmund/MWI).
Deadline
January, 22nd 2025
Please include the following documents with your application:
- Letter of motivation;
- Current TOEFL or DAAD certificate;
- A letter of recommendation from a university lecturer;
- Tabular curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages);
- Study history;
- List of all acquired certificates of achievement (Scheine);
- If applicable, intermediate examination/preliminary diploma/bachelor's degree certificate (can be submitted later);
- High school diploma;
- Completed application form.
Applications should be sent in electronic form to:
Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
Institut für Politische Wissenschaft
Prof. Dr. Sebastian Harnisch
Bergheimer Straße 58
69115 Heidelberg
sebastian.harnisch@uni-heidelberg.de
Partner universities in Taiwan
The Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences runs a direct exchange programme with a partner university in Taiwan. As part of the direct exchange programme, study places are exchanged with partner universities on a reciprocal basis.
Two exchange places for Bachelor's/Master's students at the School of Political Science and Economics at the National Taiwan University in Taipei City are available for students from all institutes of the Faculty, which can be allocated for one academic year or one semester in winter. The language of instruction is usually Chinese (Mandarin), although some institutes also offer courses taught in English (e.g. Foreign Languages, Political Science, International Business). Exchange students can attend Chinese courses at NTU.

Tuition fees are waived for our exchange students.
Before embarking on the exchange programme, students conclude a ‘Learning Agreement’ with the sending institute (student advisory service), which forms the firm basis for the recognition of academic achievements acquired abroad.
After their return, students undertake to write a report of 5-10 pages, which should give interested students an insight into everyday life at the two universities. The experience reports can be submitted to the Internationalisation Officer of the IPW Julia Wießmann (julia.wiessmann@ipw.uni-heidelberg.de).
Application Process
There is a central selection procedure for the bilateral exchange programme between the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences and the partner university in Taiwan, which is supported by a representative from each of the participating institutes (Prof. Dr. Axel Dreher; Prof. Dr. Switgard Feuerstein/AWI, Prof. Dr. Aurel Croissant/IPW; Dr. Steffen Sigmund/MWI).
Application deadline:
To be announced (for residency in WS 2026/27)
Please enclose the following documents with your application:
- Letter of motivation;
- current TOEFL/ IELTS or DAAD certificate for English and, if applicable, Chinese language skills
- a letter of recommendation from a university lecturer;
- Curriculum vitae in tabular form (max. 2 pages);
- Course of study;
- List of all certificates obtained;
- Intermediate examination/pre-diploma/bachelor's degree certificate if applicable (can be submitted later);
- Abitur certificate;
- completed application form.
Applications should be sent in electronic form to:
Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg
Alfred Weber Institute for Economic Sciences
Professorship for International Economic and Development Policy
Prof Dr Axel Dreher
Bergheimer Street 58
69115 Heidelberg
Heike Kullmann (Office of the Chair): heike.kullmann@awi.uni-heidelberg.de
Programme participants can address any questions concerning their stay (visa regulations, accommodation, insurance, etc.) to the IPW Internationalisation Officer Julia Wießmann (julia.wiessmann@ipw.uni-heidelberg.de). If you have any further questions, you are also welcome to contact the Department of International Relations (Dr Wünsche).