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Master: Prospective students with an international Bachelor's degree
Range of Studies
The University of Cologne offers:
An overview of all master's degree programs can be found in our Study Orientation Portal under Range of Courses. Please use the filter functions there to limit your search to master's degree programs and, if necessary, to other parameters.
Application Requirements
1. Can I do my masters at the University of Cologne if I have foreign bachelor's degree?
In general: Your bachelor's degree (either from EU/EAA or not EU/EAA countries) must be recognized in Germany. This is the case when you have earned your degree from an officially recognized foreign university.
Detailed information about official recognition and rating of your university in Germany can be found on the website anabin at:
http://anabin.kmk.org/anabin.html
You can also use the University Admission Check of uni assist e.V.:
https://www.uni-assist.de/en/tools/check-university-admission/
2. How and where can I find out if my foreign bachelor's degree qualifies me for my desired master's programme at the University of Cologne?
If you already know which master's programme you would like to study at the University of Cologne and want to find out whether your foreign bachelor's degree meets the requirements for your desired master's programme, the following applies:
Please refer to the admission requirements on the website of the respective programme. If you have any further questions, please contact the master's admission committee/programme coordinators responsible for your subject.
Each master's programme has a master's admissions committee, which is responsible for the selection process and, after receiving your application, checks whether your foreign bachelor's degree is sufficient in terms of subject related and formal requirements for the master's programme you are applying for. You can contact the relevant master's admissions committee directly via the desired programme:
Masters' programmes taught in German
Masters' programmes taught in English or partially in English
3. What level of German should I possess to apply for a master's programme at the University of Cologne?
For every master's programme taught in German you must demonstrate excellent 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.
If you wish to study a master's programme in English language only, there are no formal German-language requirements.
Application Procedure
Please note the two-stage application process!
1. For all master’s degree programs, you need a preliminary review documentation (VPD) to apply.
The processing time is approx. 4 - 6 weeks. Please apply for the VPD as early as possible before the application deadline at the UzK.
Uni-assist e.V. is the "work and service center for international students’ applications". Uni-assist evaluates master applications for the University of Cologne from applicants who have obtained a foreign university degree.
2. Application via the UzK application portal Klips 2.0
An application to the UzK is only possible with a valid VPD. The application for pre-examination documentation at uni-assist alone does not count as an application for a degree programme at the UzK.
1. How do I request the preliminary review documentation (VPD):
How do I request the preliminary review documentation?
You request the VPD via the uni-assist online portal. You only have to submit the required documents online to uni-assist.
During the online application at uni-assist as Hochschule Uni zu Köln - VPD, please select the option "all subjects - Master".
Attention: The application via the online portal at uni-assist is not yet an application to the UoC. The application takes place via the application portal of the UoC Klips 2.0.
Is there a request deadline for the VPD?
You can have your documents checked by uni-assist all year round, the VPD is not tied to an application semester. Please note that the application deadlines at the UoC must still be adhered to.
Please make sure to apply for a VPD at uni-assist well in advance of the application deadline at the UcC. The processing time is usually 4 - 6 weeks. You can find the current processing times at the uni-assist-page.
If you request the VPD shortly before the application deadline, it will be created. However, a timely application to the UoC is then only possible for the next possible semester.
Which documents do I have to submit to uni-assist?
All documents can be uploaded to uni-assist without certification. After enrolment, we reserve the right to request random certifications.
You need:
- School leaving certificate/proof of having passed a university entrance exam
- Degree certificate (if already available), if not, please upload a preliminary degree overview
- Overview of subjects and grades (transcript of records)
- University grading system
- an officially certified translation if the original documents were not issued in German or English Language
- Applicants from China, India and Vietnam are required to also submit a current APS certificate.
These documents are to be submitted online to uni-assist.
All other documents are submitted with your application to the UoC via the application portal Klips 2.0. Please find out more about this on the website of the respective master’s program.
APS Certificate
Applicants with a first university degree (usually a Bachelor's degree) from China, India or Vietnam need an APS to apply.
How long is my preliminary review documentation valid for an application to the UoC?
Your preliminary review documentation (VPD) will be accepted indefinitely at the UoC as long as there have been no changes to your master’s access authorization.
2. Application via the application portal Klips 2.0
How do I apply?
You can apply online via the UzK's application portal Klips 2.0. To do so, you absolutely need the VPD from uni-assist e.V. that you applied for in advance.
Further application documents are necessary. Please consult the websites of the respective Master's programmes.
You can find help on how to apply at the Klips online help.
When does the application portal open?
Winter semester: Beginning of June
Exception: for Master's programmes of the WISO Faculty, the portal opens already at the beginning of April. (International Management CEMS MIM and Economic Research: Beginning of January).
Summer semester: Beginning of December
Which application deadlines apply?
Winter semester: 15.7.
Exception:
31.3. International Mangement CEMS MIM and Economic Research (WISO-Faculty)
15.5. International Master of Environmental Sciences (IMES) and Joint International Master of Environmental Sustainability (JIMES) (Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences)
15.6. Master's programmes of the WISO Faculty (except International Mangement CEMS MIM and Economic Research)
Summer semester: 15.1.
Attention! Please inform yourself about the currently valid application deadlines at the respective Master's degree programme.
3. Enrolment Procedure
Enrolment
If you have received a place in the selection procedure, you will have received the admission in your KLIPS account and can download the admission letter. You enrol as follows:
Enrolment takes place at the International Office of the University of Cologne.
To enrol, you must complete the following by the deadline specified on the admission notification:
1. Pay the semester fee in full
After the semester fee has been posted to your Klips account, you must:
2. 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.
Please find all the necessary information regarding Student ID and Semester-Ticket on the website of our Student Application and Registration Office.
Student Health Insurance
Please note important information regarding proof of compulsory health insurance.
Contact
Ms. Christina Boland & Ms. Henrike Bassenge
