Prospective 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 International Office 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.
Exchange students also have the opportunity to participate in the English taught program Cologne Global Study Program (CGSP) - Contemporary European Studies. This program is coordinated by the International Office of the University of Cologne in cooperation with various faculties.
The academic year at the UoC
The academic year at the University of Cologne is divided as follows:
Winter semester: October 1 to March 31
In the pre-semester (September), our Pre-semester German Language Courses take place. During the semester, the lectures take place in the lecture period.
Summer semester: April 1 to September 30
In the pre-semester (March), our Pre-semester German Language Courses take place. During the semester, the lectures take place in the lecture period.
You can start your exchange studies in the winter or summer semester.
What requirements do I have to meet for an exchange program at the UoC?
To ensure that you get the best possible benefit from your stay abroad at the UoC, we recommend that you study at your home university on an advanced level.
We also recommend a knowledge of German at level B2 (CEFR), so that you can follow the courses in German and communicate well and confidently in your everyday life. If you want to attend courses in English, we recommend a knowledge of English at level B2 (CEFR) or a TOEFL score 80 or IELTS score 5.5.
Furthermore, we require the following documents from you (you will receive further information after your nomination):
copy of your passport
passport photo
CV
motivation letter (1-2 pages)
High School Diploma
current Transcript of Records of your home university
German language certificate
English language certificate (for the CGSP)
How do I apply for a study stay at the UoC?
First of all, you have to be officially nominated by your home university for an exchange programme of one or two semesters. Please contact the responsible office at your home university (e.g. International Office) and inform yourself about the application process there.
Your home university must inform us by the nomination deadline that you have been selected for the exchange programme:
Nomination deadlines winter semester: July 15 summer semester: January 15
Following the nomination you will receive further information about our online application and the further procedure by email.
Courses and semester schedule
What courses can I attend at the UoC?
You will find the course catalogue of the current semester in the Campus Management System KLIPS 2.0 Please use the "home" button at the top left in order to search for courses.
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 for orientation.
We recommend that you familiarise yourself with the courses offered at an early stage and select the first courses that interest you.
If you want to study at the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences, please search for courses in the course overview "Course options for incoming students".
The courses of the Cologne Global Study Program (CGSP) can be found here.
German courses | pre-semester and semester
The department "German as a Foreign Language" (DaF)of the International Office at the UoC offers German language courses for exchange students on various levels.
On levels A1 to B1 (CEFR) the courses treat German language skills for the daily life. From level B2 (CEFR) the courses treat current topics as well as language structures and academically relevant vocabulary.
You can choose between the Pre-semester German course (4 weeks with 20 teaching hours of 45 minutes per week, online, 9 ECTS) or Semester German course (13 weeks with 6 teaching hours of 45 minutes per week held in two sessions, hybrid, 9 ECTS).
If you have questions regarding your course options at your prospective faculty, please contact the "Centers for International Relations" (ZIB):
EU/EEA citizens: EU/EEA citizens do not have to apply for a visa for entry into Germany.
Non-EU/EEA citizens: After having sucessfully applied at the University of Cologne and being accepted you receive an official admission letter of the University of Cologne. Please use the admission letter for the visa application at the German Embassy/Consulate in your home country. On the website of the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany you may find further information whether you need a visa for entering Germany.
Please note:
Please apply for a student visa and not for a tourist visa! Tourist visas cannot be converted into a residence permit for academic programs in Germany.
The visa application process lasts up to four weeks on average. The process may differ from country to country. In order to receive your visa on time before your studies begin we recommend that you make an appointment at the German Embassy/Consulate prior to receiving your admission letter and hand in the required documents. You have to turn in the admission letter at a later date. This way, you probably are able to speed up the processing time of your visa.
All international students from non-EU countries who stay in Germany for more than 90 days must apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners Registration Office.
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?
The University of Cologne does not charge tuition fees.
Each semester, all enrolled students of the University of Cologne must pay the semester fee. The semester fee is recalculated each semester and consists of the social contribution for the Kölner Studierendenwerk (KSTW) and the contribution for the student council AStA. In addition, it is used to finance university sports and the semester ticket (free travel on public transport with the UC Card). The amount of the current semester fee can be found here.
Cost of living in Cologne
On our pages "Costs & Financing" you will find detailed information on living costs in Cologne.
Your contact persons in the International Office
Coordination for exchange students from partner universities worldwide
