Upon the occasion of the University of Heidelberg (the oldest higher education institution in the Federal Republic of Germany) celebration of its 600th anniversary in 1986, this historical overview and current review of higher education in the Federal Republic looks at a wide range of topics. Contents include: "The Historical Growth of Higher Education"; "Restoration of the Classical University after 1945"; "Development of Student Numbers and Academic Staff"; "Higher Education Policy in the Federative System"; "The Various Types of Higher Education Institutions"; "Representation and Financing of Higher Education Institutions"; "Participation in the Self-Administration of Higher Education Institutions"; "Professors and Other Teaching Staff"; "The Studies System at Universities and Technical Universities"; "The Pattern of Studies at Polytechnics"; "Study Success Level and Higher Education Efficiency"; "Increased Further Education Programmes at Universities"; "Admission to Studies"; "Procedure in the Case of Admission Restrictions"; "Student Organizations in Higher Education"; "Students' Social Welfare--Training Promotion"; "Scholarships for Talented Students"; "Handicapped Students"; "Research and Teaching in Higher Education"; "The Situation in Regard to the Rising Academic Generation"; "Women in Higher Education"; "Higher Education and Other Countries--Exchange of Experience"; "Supraregional Organizations for Students...and Professors"; "Graduates in the Employment System"; and "Political Parties and Higher Educational Policy." The document concludes with an Appendix which lists higher education institutions in West Germany including (1) universities, technical universities and colleges with individual university study courses; (2) philosophical-theological colleges; (3) ecclesiastical colleges of theology; (4) colleges of Jewish studies; (5) teachers' training colleges; (6) colleges of art and music; (7) polytechnics (without ecclesiastical and administrative establishments); and (8) ecclesiastic colleges of social work. A short bibliography, addresses of responsible federal and state federal ministries, other important addresses in higher education, and a glossary of higher education system terms conclude the document. (BZ)