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Application procedure for Non-EU-Citizens to the Faculty of Medicine
Studienstart International Medizin
Exception: Applicants who are considered equivalent in terms of admission requirements under the same conditions apply through the EU procedure. 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).
Applicants with indirect University access who are considered equivalent in terms of admission requirements cannot apply directly to the University of Cologne, but must first attend a regular Studienkolleg.
All three subjects at the Faculty of Medicine (Human Medicine, Dentistry and Neuroscience) begin with a subject-specific pre-semester called Studienstart International Medizin.
This applies to applicants with direct university entrance qualifications (HZB) as well as applicants with access to the Studienkolleg (indirect HZB).
You can check here whether your foreign secondary school leaving certificate (or your previous university education) is recognized in Germany and corresponds to the German higher education entrance qualification.
Please note: Applications are only possible with a valid TestAS certificate. Applications must be submitted online via uni-assist e.V.
1. Studienstart International Medizin
Before beginning your degree programme, you will complete the preparatory semester Studienstart International Medizin. This applies to applicants with direct university entrance qualifications (HZB) as well as applicants with access to the preparatory college (indirect HZB). After successfully completing the preparatory semester, you will be transferred directly to the degree programme. A new application is not required.
Holders of indirect HZB will take the entrance examination in parallel, which entitles them to enrol in the degree programme.
Studienstart International Medizin prepares you optimally for your degree programme by offering you basic courses in your field of study, subject-specific German courses, and seminars on intercultural awareness and study skills. Orientation events and intensive support complement this programme.
Further information on Studienstart International Medicine can be found here.
2. Requirements (university entrance qualification, German proof, TestAS)
a. University entrance qualification to German universities
You have direct university entrance qualification (HZB), which entitles you to study at a German university.
OR
You have access to a preparatory college (indirect HZB).
You can check whether your international secondary school leaving certificate (or university education) is recognised in Germany and corresponds to the German university entrance qualification (direct HZB) or entitles you to attend a Studienkolleg (indirect HZB) at 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 (Medicine, Dentistry).
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. TestAS certificate
The TestAS is a centralised, standardised study aptitude test for international students. It can be taken in German or English and only at licensed test centres, e.g. the University of Cologne. To apply to the Faculty of Medicine, you need the digital TestAS with the MEDICINE subject specific module. You can retake the TestAS.
The University of Cologne stands for fairness and equal opportunities! That is why we use the TestAS as a selection criterion for non-EU citizens, regardless of the different education and grading systems around the world.
3. Application - For which semester can I apply?
| Faculty | Discipline | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Medicine | Medicine / Dentistry Neuroscience | SuSe / WiSe SuSe |
4. Application - On time via uni-assist e.V.
To apply for an undergraduate degree at the Faculty of Medicine, please use the online application portal of uni-assist e.V. Upload all documents to the online portal.
You apply directly for your desired subject (Human Medicine, Dentistry or Neuroscience).
Until when do I have to submit my application to uni-assist e.V.?
- Application deadline for the summer semester: January 15th (date of receipt)
- Application deadline for the winter semester: July 15th (date of receipt)
Here you can find a video tutorialon how to apply online to uni-assist.
5. Application - Documents
The following application documents must be submitted to the online portal of uni-assist e.V. (upload). The International Office reserves the right to request certified documents at any time.
Attention: Paperless application procedure. Please do not send any documents by mail for this application. Upload all documents to the online application portal.
- A gapless curriculum vitae in tabular form written in German
- A proof about the knowledge of the German language, at least at the level of DSH-2 (see point 4)
- Your secondary education certificate including a subject and grading schedule and a translation (if not issued in German or English) or, in applicable, the letter of acceptance or the certificate of enrollment
- TestAS certificate
- For applications at the Faculty of Medicine core test and subject-specific module MEDICINE (MED)
- If applicable, a proof of the successfully completed university entrance exam in the home country
- Only for holders of certificates from China, India and Vietnam: individuale APS certificate (see point 6)
- A copy of your passport
6. Application - Special requirements for applicants from China, India and Vietnam
Applications at University of Cologne are only possible for holders of a valid individual certificate of a Akademische Prüfstelle (APS-Zertifikat).
7. TestAS
The University of Cologne stands for fairness and equal opportunities! That is why we use the TestAS as a selection criterion for non-EU citizens, regardless of the different education and grading systems around the world.
Der TestAS (= Test for Academic Studies) is a centralised, standardised study aptitude test for foreign students. It can be taken in German or English and only at licensed test centres. Licensed test centres are located worldwide (e.g. at the University of Cologne). The majority of TestDaF test centres also offer the TestAS. There are only a few TestAS exam dates each year, for which you must register early. The test consists of a core test and a subject-specific test module that you can choose depending on your desired field of study.
You must take the TestAS for all degree programmes at the Faculty of Medicine before applying and submit the TestAS certificate to uni-assist e.V. with your application. The field-specific module MEDICINE can only be selected in the digital TestAS.
8. TestAS - Minimum Percentile Rank
The minimum percentile rank depends on your choice of study. It is the average of the achieved minimum percentile rank of the core test and the field of study specific module. Only the digital TestAS (study-specific module MEDICINE) is accepted for applications to the Faculty of Medicine.
Achieving the minimum percentage rank is no guarantee of an offer of a place. You will then take part in our selection process.
| Faculty | Core test and a subject-specific module | Minimum Percentile Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Medicine | MEDICINE (MED) | 85 |
9. Admission
After your application documents have been reviewed by uni-assist e.V. and forwarded to the University of Cologne, you will receive login data for the university’s KLIPS 2.0 online application portal.
The login data will be sent to the e-mail address you indicated in the application you submitted to uni-assist e.V. You can then follow the status of your application on your KLIPS 2.0 account.
If you are accepted into the programme, you will first receive an admission letter for the Studienstart International Medizinonline in your Klips 2.0 basic account.
After successfully completing the Studienstart International Medizin, you will be transferred directly to the degree programme in the second semester – without having to reapply.
10. 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 (Upload in Klips 2.0).
The documents must be received by the International Office of the University of Cologne by the deadine (upload).
Your KLIPS 2.0 applicant account shows which documents you need to upload for enrolment in KLIPS 2.0.
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.
