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International Prospective Master Students
Range of Studies
The University of Cologne offers:
Masters' programmes taught in German
Masters' programmes taught in English
Master's programmes taught optionally (English Track) or partially in Englishh
Master's programmes with an international scope
An overview of all master's degree programs can be found in our Study Orientation Portal under Range of Courses. Please use the filter functions there to limit your search to master's degree programs and, if necessary, to other parameters.
Application Requirements
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 C1 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).
According to the current DSH regulations, certain international school-leaving certificates, e.g. from German-speaking regions, are recognised as exceptions or as equivalent. If you have any questions, 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 Processing time 4 - 6 weeks. Please apply for the VPD as early as possible before the application deadline at the UoC.
2. Application via the application portal of the UoC Klips 2.0
All documents can also be uploaded to uni-assist and KLIPS without being certified. After enrolment, we reserve the right to request random certifications.
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.
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 UZK for Master's degree programmes for the winter semester 2022 is July 15th. The application deadline Master's degree programmes at the WISO-faculty is June 15th.
Please make sure to apply for a VPD at uni-assist well in advance of the application deadline at the UcC. The processing time is usually 4 - 6 weeks. You can find the current processing times at the uni-assist-page.
If you request the VPD shortly before the application deadline, 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?
All documents can be uploaded to uni-assist without certification. After enrolment, we reserve the right to request random certifications.
You need:
School leaving certificate/proof of having passed a university entrance exam
Degree certificate (if already available), if not, please upload a preliminary degree overview
Overview of subjects and grades (transcript of records)
University grading system
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. (for India: As of the winter semester 2023/24)
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).
Send the contact form with the request for enrolment.
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.
