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Preparatory German Course for prospective students from EU/EEA countries
Prospective students from EU/EEA countries and Germans with foreign university entrance qualifications can apply for this German course for all degree programmes at the University of Cologne with a Bachelor's degree and degree programmes with a state examination. There is a compulsory placement test before the German course. Depending on the result, the German course lasts 1 - 2 semesters. Participation in the preparatory German course does not guarantee a place at university.
Exception: The procedure is also applicable for Non-EU/EEA-citizens, who are on equal admission terms as German or EU/EEA-citizens: You are holding a university entrance qualification for German higher education institutions (EU/EEA secondary school or university degree). OR: You are resident in Germany and are married to a German or an EU/EEA national (also applies to registered civil partnerships) or can prove direct lineage to an EU/EEA national resident in Germany.
All documents for the application are to be submitted as an upload to the Klips basic account.
1. Requirements
a. Purpose to study at the University of Cologne finishing the following degree: Bachelor or State examination “Staatliche Prüfung”
b. Good German language skills (completed level B2)
c. A formal university entrance qualification
A University Entrance Qualification makes you eligible to apply to a German university. You can find out whether your secondary school leaving certificate is equivalent to a University Entrance Qualification in Germany here: https://www.uni-assist.de/en/tools/check-university-admission/
2. Necessary German language skills
For the preparatory German course, you must prove that you have a good knowledge of the German language, at least a completed B2 level. We accept the following certificates:
- TestDaF with TDN 3 in all four competencies
- DSH 1*
- Telc Deutsch B2
- Goethe-Zertifikat B2
- ÖSD B2
* Only DSH of higher education institutions with registered examination regulations in accordance with the provisions of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK).
The German language certificate submitted with the application must have been obtained within the previous two years.
After your enrolment, a compulsory placement test will take place at the beginning of the German course.
3. Costs
Registration for the Preparatory German Course costs 500 € per semester. The final language examination for university admission is subject to a fee. Participants are regularly enrolled as students of the preparatory German course at the University of Cologne. A semester social contribution fee is also required (that includes a NRW semester ticket).
4. Application - On time via Klips 2.0
Applications can only be submitted via the online application portal Klips 2.0 at the University of Cologne.
Until when do I have to submit my application at my Klips basic account?
- Application deadline for the winter semester: July 15th
- Application deadline for the summer semester: January 15th
5. Application - Documents
Together with your online application, please upload the following documents to your Klips 2.0 basic account. The International Office reserves the right to request certified documents at any time.
- Copy of your passport / ID
- School leaving certifcate and a transcript of subjects and marks (with translation if not issued in German, English or French)
- German language B2-certificate (see Point 2 above)
- optional: Certificate recognition by the Düsseldorf district government with conversion of the overall grade (for German citizens only)
If applicable:
- Proof of passing the university entrance examination in the home country
- Certificate of assessment test (»Feststellungsprüfung« incl. »Vorbildungsnachweis«)
- Only for holders of an International Baccalaureate (IB): Copy of the IB certificate with proof of continuous attendance (2 years) of the examination subjects.
- Copy of university transcrips, along with subjects and marks (with translation if not issued in German, English or French)
6. Admission
If you are awarded a place in the selection process, you will receive admission for the German course online in your KLIPS 2.0 basic account. You can track the status of your application continuously in your KLIPS 2.0 basic account.
7. Enrolment
To enrol you must complete the following by the deadline specified on the admission notification:
- Pay the semester fee + course fee in full and
- Submit the documents needed for enrolment.
The documents must be received by the International Office of the University of Cologne by the deadline (upload).
In your KLIPS 2.0 applicant account, you will see which documents you must submit for enrolment and in what form.
Please find all the necessary information regarding Student ID and Semester-Ticket on the website of our Student Application and Registration Office.
8. After the German course - Application for the degree programme
After reaching the necessary German skills (DSH 2 or Telc C1 Hochschule), you should apply for a degree course using Klips 2.0.
Applicants for Medicine or Dentistry apply via Hochschulstart. Please enquire well in time about the deadlines (old and new graduates)!
You can find all information here.
When do I have to submit my Klips 2.0 application?
Application deadline for the winter semester: July 15th
Application deadline for the summer semester: January 15th
After your online application, please upload the following documents to your Klips basic account:
- Language certificate
- Copy of your passport or identification card