The Research Profile of the University of Cologne

The University of Cologne is one of the largest and most research-intensive universities in Germany. Its broad spectrum of subjects enables it to address scientific and social questions through internationally competitive interdisciplinary and collaborative research. Along with its research-intensive partner universities in Bonn, Aachen and Düsseldorf, the UoC is embedded in the dynamic metropolitan region of the Rhineland, where it also cooperates with various non-university partners. Equally important are its numerous collaborations with research institutions around the world.

The University of Cologne has continuously expanded and honed its research profile in recent decades. It consists of two elements:

• Thematically, the university has eight Key Profile Areas (KPAs) that address topics of high scientific and/or social relevance. They come together within six overarching Core Research Topics.
• Institutionally, the university has established nine non-permanent Research Centers (RCs) within these thematic Key Profile Areas, which further develop and steer the KPAs.