Finding accomodation in Cologne is difficult! Find out about the housing situation as early as possible on our websites and get in touch with students from Cologne.
Application Procedure for EU-Citizens
The following procedure applies to EU/EEA citizens (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and persons with equivalent admission rights.
Equal treatment under admission law: The procedure is also applicable for Non-EU/EEA-citizens, who are on equal admission terms as Germans or EU/EEA-citizens: You hold a university entrance qualification from an EU/EEA country. OR: You are resident in Germany and are married to a German or EU/EEA national (also applies to registered civil partnerships) or can prove a direct lineal relationship with an EU/EEA national resident in Germany (Artikel 2 Nr. 2 der Richtlinie 2004/38/EG des Europäischen Parlaments und des Rates vom 29. April 2004).
All documents for the application are to be submitted as an upload to the Klips basic account.
1. General requirements (university entrance qualification and German language proof)
To apply for an undergraduate degree programme, you must possess a formal university entrance qualification to German universities (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung) and sufficient proficiency in German language.
a. University Entrance Qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung)
A University Entrance Qualification makes you eligible to apply to a German university. You can check whether your foreign secondary school diploma (or university education) is recognized in Germany at Check: university admission (uni-assist).
b. German-language proficiency
The teaching language of all Bachelor's programs at the University of Cologne is German. The same applies to the courses of study with state examination as well as the course of study with 1. Prüfung (law).
In order to study at the University of Cologne, you must therefore demonstrate very good German language skills. We recognize the following German certificates:
- TestDaF TDN 4 in all examination parts
- DSH 2*
- Deutsches Sprachdiplom, level II of the KMK (DSD II)
- Telc C1 Hochschule
- Telc C2
- Goethe-Insitut C1 certificate
- ÖSD C2
- Passed “German section” of the Feststellungsprüfung (FSP)
* Only DSH of higher education institutions with registered examination regulations in accordance with the provisions of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK).
According to the current DSH regulations, certain international school-leaving certificates, e.g. from German-speaking regions, are recognised as exceptions or as equivalent. If you have any questions, please contact us via our contact form.
c. Special application requirements
Special application requirements apply to certain fields of study. Please consult the relevant websites for more information:
Bachelor's degree programmes at the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences (WISO)
Bachelor (dual) Klinische Pflege (in German only)
Bachelor (dual) Angewandte Hebammenwissenschaft (in German only)
Study aptitude test for 1-subject Bachelor of Psychology (German only)
Bundesweites Auswahlverfahren für Medizin/Zahnmedizin (Hochschulstart) (German only)
2. Study programmes
You can find our entire range of degree programmes on the University of Cologne's study orientation portal.
The higher education compass offered by German Rectors' Conference(Hochschulkompass der Hochschulrektorenkonferenz (HRK)) provides you with information on all degree courses offered by German universities.
3. Application - Deadlines
Please inform yourself (study programmes, point 2 above) which degree programme is offerd
- with or without admission restrictions
- for which semester
| Application for the 1st semester for the following subject | Application procedure | Deadlines (Date of receipt) |
|---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry (DoSV - Dialogorientiertes Serviceverfahren) | Applicants apply using the portal of the Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung (Hochschulstart) at: www.hochschulstart.de. Please enquire well in time about the deadlines (old and new graduates)! Note: We recommend to submit a TMS (Test für medizinische Studiengänge) to Hochschulstart together with the other application documents, see: Bundesweites Auswahlverfahren für Medizin/Zahnmedizin (Hochschulstart) Please note that a recognised proof of German language proficiency must be submitted for enrolment at the University of Cologne, cf. point 2). | See the Hochschulstart website |
DoSV study courses • 1-Fach- and Verbund-Bachelor and • 1. Prüfung Rechtswissenschaften | Applicants apply using the online application portal Klips 2.0 of the University of Cologne. Notice:Study aptitude test for 1-subject Bachelor of Psychology | Winter semester: ⇨ 15.07. Summer semester: ⇨ 15.01. |
| 1-Fach-Bachelor without restricted admission | Applicants apply using the online application portal Klips 2.0 of the University of Cologne. | Winter semester: ⇨ 30.09. Summer semester: ⇨ 31.03. |
Multiple study courses with restricted admission (NC): • Lehramt and • 2-Fach-Bachelor | Applicants apply using the online application portal Klips 2.0 of the University of Cologne. | Winter semester: ⇨ 15.07. Summer semester: ⇨ 15.01. |
| 2-Fach-Bachelor without restricted admission | Applicants apply using the online application portal Klips 2.0 of the University of Cologne. | Winter semester: ⇨ 30.09. Summer semester: ⇨ 31.03. |
4. Application - Documents
When applying for the subjects of medicine and dentistry:
If you apply for Medicine or Dentistry you should not submit any further application to the International Office, since you already did apply at Hochschulstart.
You submit your proof of German language skills when you enrol at the University of Cologne. (Upload)
When applying for all other undergraduate degree courses:
Together with your online application, please upload the following documents to your Klips 2.0 basic account. The International Office reserves the right to request certified documents at any time.
- Copy of your passport / ID
- School leaving certifcate and a transcript of subjects and marks (with translation if not issued in German, English or French)
- German language proficiency certificate (DSD-2 / TestDaF 4x4 or equivalent, see Point 1 above) (can be submitted at the latest by the end of the enrolment period)
- optional: Certificate recognition by the Düsseldorf district government with conversion of the overall grade (for German citizens only)
If applicable:
- Proof of passing the university entrance examination in the home country (officially certified copy)
- Certificate of assessment test (»Feststellungsprüfung« incl. »Vorbildungsnachweis«)
- Only for holders of an International Baccalaureate (IB): Officially certified copy of the IB certificate with proof of continuous attendance (2 years) of the examination subjects.
- Legally certified copy of university transcrips, along with subjects and marks (with translation if not issued in German, English or French)
5. Admission
If you are awarded a place in the selection process, you will receive admission for your chosen subject online in your KLIPS 2.0 basic account. Please track the status of your application continuously in your KLIPS 2.0 basic account.
6. Enrolment
To enrol you must complete the following by the deadline specified on the admission notification:
- Pay the semester fee in full and
- Submit the documents needed for enrolment.
The documents must be received by the International Office of the University of Cologne by the deadline (upload).
In your KLIPS 2.0 basic account, you will see which documents you must upload for enrolment.
New: Please note important information regarding proof of compulsory health insurance.
Please find all the necessary information regarding Student ID and Semester-Ticket on the website of our Student Application and Registration Office.
