Exchange Students from Partner Universities
Are you studying at a partner university of the University of Cologne and would you like to spend an exchange semester at the UoC?
The Divison International Affairs looks after student exchanges within the framework of our about 90 university-wide partnerships, and will be happy to help you with all the organizational questions you may have regarding your study stay with us. On these pages we would like to give you some initial general information about your stay at the UoC and in Cologne. You will receive more detailed information from us when you have been officially accepted as an exchange student at the UoC.
If you have any questions about the more than 300 partnerships at faculty and institute level, please contact the respective faculty.
If you are an ERASMUS student, please contact our ERASMUS-Team.
Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet for the academic year 2026/27
The Fact Sheet provides key information for students from partner universities who are planning an exchange period at the University of Cologne in the academic year 2026/27.
It includes details on nomination and application procedures, deadlines, course offerings, language requirements, and contact persons for organizational matters.
Study offer and application
How is the academic year structured?
The academic year at the University of Cologne is structured as follows:
Winter Semester: 1 October to 31 March
Summer Semester: 1 April to 30 September
During the pre-semester period (September for the winter semester and March for the summer semester), pre-semester German language courses take place. The lecture periods (i.e. the time during which courses and classes are held) vary from semester to semester.
Exchange students may begin their studies at the University of Cologne in either the winter semester or the summer semester.
Which faculties does the university have?
The University of Cologne has six faculties and offers courses in the most comprehensive study fields:
- Faculty of Arts and Humanities
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
- Faculty of Human Sciences
- Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences (for exchange students with limitations)
- Faculty of Medicine (for exchange students with limitations)
Exchange students can decide for studying at up to two faculties.
How can I find the courses offered by the faculties?
You find the course catalogue of the current semester in the Campus Management System KLIPS 2.0. When using the search function, please select 'A2 Students from Partner Universities' under 'Degree Programmes'. There you will find the courses available to exchange students, organized by faculty.
Additional Information on the Faculties:
Faculty of Arts and Humanities: The “Module Guide for International Short Term Students” can support you.
Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences: Here you can find the course lists for the winter semester and the summer semester.
The course catalogue of the upcoming semester is published about 2-3 months before the start of the semester. Since many courses are offered in both the summer and winter semester, you can use the current semester as orientation.
We recommend that you familiarise yourself with the courses offered at an early stage and select the first courses that interest you.
What are the Centers for International Relations (ZIBs) within the faculties?
The Centres for International Relations (ZIBs) are the international contact points on faculty level. They provide support particularly with:
- course selection,
- course registration,
- timetabling,
- questions regarding examinations and academic credits,
- other academic matters within the respective faculty.
ZIB - Faculty of Arts and Humanities
ZIB - Faculty of Law
International Coordination Office - Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
ZIB - Faculty of Human Sciences
ZIB - Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences
ZIB - Faculty of Medicine
Life in Cologne
Visa application
On our pages "Immigration & Residence" you will find detailed information on applying for a study visa for Germany.
Residence permit during your studies
On our pages "Immigration & Residence" you will find detailed information on applying for a residence permit in Germany.
Accommodation in Cologne
On our pages "Study in Cologne: Accommodation for international students"you will find detailed information on living in Cologne.
Welcome Session for international exchange students
At the beginning of each semester we offer a "Welcome Session" for our exchange students from partner universities.
In the "Welcome Session", students are officially welcomed and receive information on enrolment, the semester schedule and the organization of life in Cologne. We recommend all students to participate in the "Welcome Session"! You will receive further information by email after your nomination.
Are there tuition fees at the UoC and what is the semester fee?
Each semester, all enrolled students of the University of Cologne have to pay a social contribution fee ("Semesterbeitrag").
The social contribution fee is newly calculated each semester and consists of a fee for the "Kölner Studierendenwerk" (KSTW) as well as for the General Students´ Commitee ("AStA"). Additionally, it finances university sports and the semester ticket (use of public transport in Germany with the 'Deutschlandsemesterticket').
The current amount of the social contribution fee changes each semester. In the summer semester 2026, the semester fee is of 335.65 EUR.
The University of Cologne does not charge any tuition fees.
Cost of living in Cologne
On our pages "Costs & Financing" you will find detailed information on living costs in Cologne.
Contact:
Coordination for exchange students from university-wide partner universities
Nicole Conde and Tina Riemer
exchange-to-cologne(at)verw.uni-koeln(dot)de
SSC (Student Service Center) Universitätsstr. 22a (ground floor), 50937 Cologne
