The University of Cologne does not charge any tuition fees.

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 the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia with the UC Card). The current amount of the social contribution fee changes each semester.

According to the 21st Social Survey of the "Deutsches Studentenwerk" (2017) the cost of living for a student in Cologne are at least 832,00 €:

* The semester fee has to be paid each semester/6 months and amounts to 318,05 € (as of summer semester 2023). It includes a ticket for public transportation in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

It is common that most of the students work while they study. However, studying shall be first priority - a fact that is controlled by the legal regulations in regard to work permission for students. 

EU-/EEA Citizens:
To EU-/EEA Citizens apply the same employment regulations as to German students - during lecture period they are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week and during the semester break up to 40 hours per week without becoming liable for social insurance („Sozialversicherung“), i.e. they do not have to pay into social insurance. If students work more, i.e. the part-time job takes up more time than their studies and they earn more than 450 €, students also become liable for social insurance.

Non-EU-/EEA Citizens:
International students from non-EU/EEA countries have to consider legal restrictions when working. This way, financing the costs of living by working is not possible, at best international students can earn some extra money. International students are allowed to work up to 120 full days (4-8 hours per day) or 240 half days (1-4 hours per day) per year. This regulation also applies for paid and unpaid internships! A job as a student assistant at a university is permitted, so a student assistant is allowed to work more. 

In any case, please inform the Foreigners Registration Office on your employments and be sure of the documentation of the time period you are working.

If you have a job which exceeds the regulation of 120/240 days (e.g. full-time internship of at least six months) you have to apply for a permit at the Foreigners Registration Office. Please consult us before doing so.

Scholarship holders:
If you have received a visa for study purposes on the basis of a scholarship award, you are not allowed to work. This is mentioned in the residence permit in the passport. Scholarship holders who entered Germany without any visa have to ask for permission at the scholarship provider before starting a job.

Doctoral Students:
There can be special work regulations for doctoral students. If you have any questions please contact us.

Finances play a central role when you plan a course of study at the University of Cologne. There are many different establishments and organisations to which you can apply as a foreign or graduate student for individual grants or scholarships. Scholarship databases such as the DAAD scholarship database offer you a comprehensive overview of different scholarship programmes, taking into account your country of origin and your subject area.

The standards are very different, but in the majority of cases the deciding factor is academic potential and not financial need. 

Please note:

•    study beginners have relatively little chance to be awarded a scholarship. Scholarships are awarded mainly to advanced students, most of all to students of Master and PhD programs.
•    the funding of the complete studies is only possible in exceptional cases.

If you already look for scholarship opportunities in your home country, please consult:

•    a DAAD office abroad (Außenstelle des DAAD)
•    the German Embassy or Consulate.
 

Scholarship program of the University of Cologne

The University of Cologne offers a scholarship program for German and international students. The program consists of three grants:

•        Deutschlandstipendium des Bundes 
•        Sozialstipendium der Universität zu Köln (social scholarship)
•        Stipendium für Studierende mit Behinderung oder chronischer Erkrankung (scholarship for students with disability and chronic disease)

All grants are of 300 €/month and are awarded depending the academic performance. For the "Sozialstipendium" and the "Stipendium für Studierende mit Behinderung oder chronischer Erkrankung" social criteria are decisive as well.

As an alternative to a scholarship, there is also the possibility of borrowing money for living expenses during your studies within the framework of a loan. Please be sure to seek advice before taking out a student loan!

The Kölner Studierendenwerk has published an overview of current student loans on its website.
 

If you are in a particular financial emergency, the Kölner Studierendenwerk offers limited possibilities of short-term loans and assistance funds.

Please contact the social counselling service of the KSTW. The requirements for receiving the loan must be clarified in a personal counselling interview.

Please note that international students only have claim to BAföG to a limited extent (Abschnitt 2, § 8 Staatsangehörigkeit BAföG).

You can find further information on the "BAföG" website of the Kölner Studierendenwerk (KSTW).