Interested in Contemporary European Studies? Apply for the Cologne Global Study Program!
The Cologne Global Study Program (CGSP) is an academic certification program designed for students of the University of Cologne’s partner universities. It combines classes on Contemporary European Studies (taught in English) and German language courses.
The program’s main goal is to provide an excellent academic environment for exchange students who do not speak German, but wish to study at the University of Cologne. This program strengthens the collaboration between the University of Cologne and its partner universities and fosters an international atmosphere on campus.
Overview
Benefits of the Program
Academic Excellence: custom-tailored courses in Contemporary European Studies and select complementary courses from the university’s course catalog
English-taught Courses: no previous knowledge of German is necessary in order sign-up for the CGSP
German Language Skills: intensive German classes are an essential part of the curriculum
Certification: earn academic credits and receive a certificate and transcript upon successful completion of coursework
Free of charge: the program is free of additional charge for exchange students from official partner universities (semester fee does apply)
Intercultural Learning Environment: classes are open to international and German students
CGSP Support Services: all students receive special support and advising
Excursions: enjoy study trips specifically designed for international students and an excursion only available to CGSP participants
Campus Community: as full members of the university, exchange students have access to our libraries, sports and recreational facilities, state-wide public transportation, student restaurants, events, student groups, …
Curriculum
The Cologne Global Study Program is structured in two basic modules and one elective module.
1-SEMESTER-PROGRAM: THE CERTIFICATE OF CONTEMPORARY EUROPEAN STUDIES
If you stay in Cologne for one semester, you can obtain the Certificate of Contemporary European Studies, consisting of 30 credit points (CP)*. All credit points will be documented in a Transcript of Records, as they may be transferred to your home university. You can start the 1-semester-program ahead of the semester (pre-semester arrival). This will provide you with more flexibility during the semester.
Dates and Duration
The duration of the program is one semester.
SUMMER SEMESTER 2024:
Pre-semester: 26 Feb - 22 March 2024 Semester: 01 April - 30 Sep 2024 Lecture period: 08 April - 19 July 2024
WINTER SEMESTER 2024/25
Pre-semester: Sep 2024 (four weeks, exact dates to follow) Semester: 01 Oct - 31 March 2024 Lecture period: 07 Oct - 31 Jan 2024
We highly recommend starting early by taking the pre-semester German language course.
Language Requirements
The principle teaching language is English. Applicants to the program whose primary language is not English and who currently attend a university where the langua - ge of instruction and examination is not English must submit an official score report of English proficiency (at least Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)). Accepted are:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) with a minimum score of 80
International English Language Testing Services (IELTS) (5,5) or equivalent tests.
Proficiency in German is not required.
How to Apply
Ask your International Office to be nominated as an exchange student for the University of Cologne.
Nominated students will receive an information package from the University of Cologne and a link to our official application form.
If you have decided to participate in the Cologne Global Study Program “Contemporary European Studies“ you must select the program on the online-application form.
Please note: Your application does not guarantee participation in the program.
The University of Cologne holds official partnerships with several universities throughout the world.
If your university is not listed below, please check with your International Office if there is an exchange agreement with the University of Cologne.
AUSTRALIA:
The University of Sydney Monash University, Melbourne Victoria University of Technology, Sydney
BRAZIL:
Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas, Belo Horizonte
CAMEROUN:
Université de Yaoundé
CANADA:
Simon Fraser University Université de Montréal University of British Columbia University of New Brunswick Mount Royal University, Calgary
CHILE:
Universidad Alberto Hurtado, Santiage de Chile
CHINA:
Fudan University, Shanghai Renmin University, Beijing Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou Tongji University, Shanghai Lanzhou University
COLUMBIA:
Universidad de Antioquia
CUBA:
Universidad de la Habana
EGYPT:
Cairo University, Giza
INDIA:
Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune
JAPAN:
Aichi Prefectural University, Nagoya Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo Kansai University, Osaka Keio University, Tokyo Kyoto Sangyo University Kyoto University Kyoto University of Foreign Languages Ochanomizu University, Tokyo Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto Seinan Gakuin University, Fukuoka Sophia University, Tokyo Tenri University, Nara The University of Tokyo University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba Waseda University, Tokyo
JORDAN:
University of Jordan, Amman
KENYA:
Kenyatta University University of Nairobi
KOREA:
Ewha Womans University, Seoul Sungshin Women´s University, Seoul
MEXICO:
Universidad de Guadalajara
NAMIBIA:
University of Namibia
SOUTH AFRICA:
University of Cape Town
TAIWAN:
Tamkang University, Taipei
TURKEY:
Istanbul University Bogazici University, Istanbul Turkish-German University, Istanbul Ankara University Middle-East Technical University, Ankara Hacettepe University, Ankara Bahecesehir University, Istanbul
USA:
Allegheny College, Meadville (undergraduate students only) Duquesne University, Pittsburgh University of California, Berkeley (graduate students only) University of Colorado, Boulder University of Michigan, Ann Arbor University of Mississippi, Oxford Northwestern University, Evanston and Chicago, Illinois
Tuition Fees
The CGSP itself is free of charge. The participation is only possible though, if you are a fully enrolled exchange-student at the UoC, which comes with a semester fee (280 Euros). The website for international exchange-students from partner universities provides more details.
A video introduction to the CGSP
Need further information?
You will find our current schedule along with details on all courses on offer on our website for participants.
General information for exchange-students from partner universities: This factsheet provides all relevant information at a quick glance. More details, see our colleagues' website "Study in Cologne".
FAQ
How do I know if I am eligible?
Please check with your International Office if they can nominate you as an exchange student for the University of Cologne.
What courses will I take?
Language courses: The program consists of German classes for beginners or advanced German classes if you already speak German.
Content courses: You can choose between various core and elective courses in Contemporary European Studies.
Can I participate partially in the program?
The CGSP is a certificate program and full participation is necessary. You may be able to not participate and select single core courses through the Studium Integrale (speak with your faculty´s international office, called ZIB, for more details). Please note that there are only a few spots open for the Studium Integrale, the majority of the spots will be given to participants of the program.
Do I have to take courses that are not part of the program?
You should check with your home university before leaving whether it is required for you to take courses in your major/minor.
Can I take courses that are not part of the program?
You are welcome to take courses outside the CGSP-program, but you have to ask the CGSP-coordinators if they can be credited for the program.
How do I know if my university is a partner university?
If your university is not on the list above, please ask the International Office of your home university.
How can I apply for a visa? Where will I live? Do I have health insurance?
Please check our website Immigration and Residence for more information.
How much does the program cost?
There is no extra tuition fee for students from partner universities, the enrollment as an exchange-student demands a semster fee of currently 280 Euros per semester.
Will I be able to transfer credits to my home university?
Please check with your home university, what kind of courses/credits can be transferred before you leave. Upon completing your course work and exams here, you will receive a certificate and a transcript of records from us that will indicate your classes, grades, and credit points.