University of Cologne

The University of Cologne is a public research university in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia — one of Germany's largest universities. It charges no tuition fees: all students pay only a semester contribution that includes public transport across Germany. International applicants apply through a two-step process (uni-assist preliminary review, then the university's Klips 2.0 portal), and enrol in person at the International Office.

Full tuition detail (verified): The University of Cologne does not charge any tuition fees. All enrolled students pay a social contribution fee (Semesterbeitrag), recalculated each semester; in the winter semester 2026/27 it is EUR 355.65. It funds the Kölner Studierendenwerk, the General Students' Committee (AStA), university sports and the Deutschlandsemesterticket for public transport across Germany.

How to apply (master's, international bachelor's degree)

Step 1 — Preliminary review (VPD) by uni-assist: required for all master's programmes. Apply via the uni-assist online portal ('Uni zu Köln - VPD', 'alle Fächer - Master'); processing takes about 4–8 weeks, so apply well before the university deadline. Documents: school-leaving certificate, degree certificate or provisional transcript, transcript of records, grading system, certified translations where needed, and an APS certificate for applicants from China, India and Vietnam.

Step 2 — Application via the Klips 2.0 portal of the University of Cologne (only possible with a valid VPD).

Deadlines

• Winter semester: 15 July (exceptions: WISO faculty programmes 15 June; International Management CEMS MIM and Economic Research 31 March; IMES and JIMES environmental master's 15 May)
• Summer semester: 15 January

Language requirements

• German-taught master's: DSH-2, TestDaF TDN 4 in all parts, telc C1 Hochschule, Goethe C1 or equivalent
• English-only master's: no German proof required; the required English certificate is set by the programme's admissions committee

Enrolment

After admission, enrol at the International Office within the enrolment deadline: pay the semester contribution in full and upload the required documents via Klips 2.0.

English language requirements: no single university-wide IELTS minimum is published — each master's admissions committee sets its own English proof. Check the programme page for your course.

Programmes

The University of Cologne offers bachelor's, master's and state examination programmes across its faculties. Most bachelor's programmes are taught in German.

English-taught master's examples

• WISO Faculty: International Management (CEMS MIM), Economic Research
• Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences: International Master of Environmental Sciences (IMES), Joint International Master of Environmental Sustainability (JIMES)

Further English-taught options exist across faculties — check the programme pages for language of instruction, admission requirements and deadlines.

Scholarships

• Deutschlandstipendium: foreign students enrolled at the University of Cologne can apply; enrolment is required (cross-registered students are not eligible). ERASMUS or partial DAAD funding does not count as double funding.
• DAAD scholarships and part-time work can help finance the tuition-free degree — plan early, as funding is competitive.