If you are studying in Germany as a non-EU/EEA student, you usually have a "residence permit for study purposes". This residence permit is issued for one to a maximum of two years and must be regularly extended by your Foreigners' Registration Office. In order to extend the residence permit, the Foreigners' Registration Office usually requires a so-called "Studienverlaufsbescheinigung". This certificate shows that you are studying regularly and "properly", i.e. that you have acquired a number of credit points appropriate to your course of study.

The "Studienverlaufsbescheinigung" is issued by us in the International Office. We need a current Transcript of Records from you as well as information about when you plan to presumably complete your studies. With this information, we can issue you a "Studienverlaufsbescheinigung". Please contact us by using our contact form.

Please note:

• It is essential that you take care of the extension of your residence permit as early as possible, preferably 4 - 6 weeks before the expiry of your current residence permit. Please contact us in good time so that we can clarify all your possible questions regarding the "Studienverlaufsbescheinigung".

We do issue certificates for Authorities in your home country (German embassy, military, scholarships, etc.) or in Germany. The certificates are written in German or - if needed -English. Please contact us if you need a certificate.

Please read our websites on "Costs & Financing".

If you have further question on financing of your studies, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Please read our website "Costs & Financing" and "Career Services International".

If you have further question on working and studying, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Of course, you can also contact us at any time if you have individual challenges regarding your studies and life in Cologne. We will be glad to help you and, if necessary, refer you to suitable contact persons within the university.

Here you will find an overview of other important counselling services that you can make use of as a student at the University of Cologne:

• Counselling services of the Kölner Studierendenwerk (KSTW) - Psychological counselling, social counselling and learning counselling 
• Central Student Guidance and Counselling Service (ZSB) - Counselling in case of doubts about your studies and change of subject
• Counselling services of the AStA (Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss)
• Counselling Centres in the area of Diversity & Equal Opportunities (e.g. in case of experiences of discrimination) 

At the University of Cologne, 21 International Student Associations have joined forces under the umbrella organisation ISAC ("International Students' Association Cologne") and in cooperation with the International Office to promote a diverse intercultural exchange within the student body. The international and German students from different regions and countries, who are active in the International Student Associations support each other during their studies, network with each other and regularly organise (cultural) events.

The International Student Associations and ISAC are happy to welcome students who would like to volunteer in the work of the student groups:

• International Student Associations at the University of Cologne
• ISAC (International Students' Association Cologne)

The International Office offers various events for international students during the semester:

• Calendar of events of the team "Service for enrolled international students"
• Calendar of events of the International Office

In addition, the International Office offers courses within the framework of Studium Integrale:

• Studium Integrale offers 

If you are already at the end of your studies, the tips and advice on starting a career in Germany and internationally may be helpful to you:

• Career Services International