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
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 you want to find out whether your bachelor's degree meets the requirements for your desired master's programme:
Please contact the appropriate Master's Admissions Committee.
For each Master's degree programme there is a so-called Master's Admissions Committee, which is responsible for the selection procedure and checks in individual cases whether your foreign Bachelor's degree is sufficient for the Master's degree programme you are aiming for. You can reach the relevant Master's admissions committee directly via the desired degree programme:
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 C2 certificate
ÖSD C2
Feststellungsprüfung (FSP) with subject Deutsch
* Only DSH of higher education institutions with registered examination regulations in accordance with the provisions of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK).
Exceptions or recognized as equivalent are certain international school-leaving certificates, e.g. from German-speaking regions. If you have any questions about examinations or qualifications that require exemption, please contact us via our contact form.
If you wish to study a master's programme in English, there are no formal German-language requirements.
Application Procedure
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.
1. Request a preliminary review documentation (VPD) from uni-assist
2. Application via the application portal of the UoC Klips 2.0 from June 2021
(Attention: Exceptions are the master’s programs of the Faculty of Economics and Social Science where the evaluation continues to take place in the standard procedure. For that, you only apply via uni-assist and not in the UoC application portal!)
In addition to an online application at the UoC, you must request the VPD directly from uni-assist. When applying for a master’s degree, the VPD indicates whether you meet the formal requirements for a master’s degree at the UoC. After your documents have been checked by uni-assist and you have received the result (VPD), create an online application in the UoC Klips 2.0 application portal.
An application to the UoC is only possible with a valid VPD. The application for preliminary review documentation (VPD) at uni-assist alone does not count as an application for a degree program at the UoC.
1. Who has to request the preliminary review documentation (VPD) from uni-assist?
All applicants for a master’s degree who have obtained their university degree (e.g. a bachelor’s degree) in a country other than Germany. This applies to master’s programs at the following faculties: Faculty of Philosophy, Faculty of Human Sciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Medicine, Center for Teacher Education (ZfL)
2. Who does not have to request the preliminary review examination documentation (VPD) from uni-assist?
All applicants for master’s programs at the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences who have obtained their university degree (e.g. a bachelor’s degree) in a country other than Germany.
The application continues to take place in the standard procedure. For that, you only apply via uni-assist and not in the UoC application portal, your application data will be automatically forwarded to the UoC.
Here you apply via uni-assist for the desired master’s degree in the uni-assist application portal.
3. Process of the application process with VPD
Please note our two-stage application process!
1. Request the preliminary review documentation (VPD) from uni-assist
2. Application via the UoK Klips 2.0 application portal
You can only apply to the UoC after receiving the VPD. The VPD and all other documents are submitted with your application to the UoC via the Klips 2.0 application portal, which will open in June 2021. Please find out more about this on the website of the respective master’s course.
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 for the winter semester 2021/22.
During the online application at uni-assist as Hochschule Uni zu Köln - VPD, please select the option "All subjects".
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.
The application deadline at the UoC for the winter semester 2021/22 is July 15, 2021.
Please ensure that you request the VPD via uni-assist at the right time. If you have received all of your documents by June 23, 2021, you will receive your VPD in good time before the application deadline at the UoC.
If you request the VPD shortly before the application deadline (for the winter semester: July 15 // for the summer semester: January 15), 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?
You need:
an officially certified copy of your degree certificate (if already available)
an officially certified copy of the overview of subjects and grades (transcript of records)
an officially certified translation if the original documents were not issued in German or English Language
Applicants from China and Vietnam are required to also submit a current APS certificate.
How long is my preliminary review documentation valid for an application to the UoC?
Your preliminary review examination documentation will be accepted indefinitely at the UoC as long as there have been no changes to your master’s access authorization.
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:
Pay the semester fee in full.
Upload a photograph to KLIPS 2.0 for your electronic student ID (UCCard).
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.
After successful enrolment we will send you your student card (UCCard) by mail. Please make sure to enter a valid German postal address in KLIPS 2.0.
Mailing address: University of Cologne International Office, Team Admission Albertus-Magnus-Platz 50923 Cologne