The UoC’s syllabus currently comprises about 100 quality-assured degree programmes (Ger.), giving students the opportunity to choose from a total of over 300 subject and teaching degree combinations. The bachelor and master’s programmes have recently successfully undergone the Model Accreditation (Modellakkreditierung) process and thus now have harmonized programme structures and examination regulations, and introduced special quality standards in cross-cutting areas such as internationalization, advice and supervision, and equal opportunities. Various binational degree programmes in the field of law and the traditional state examination programmes in law, medicine, and dentistry round off the UoC’s portfolio, meaning that it offers the full range of university subjects.

The Studium Integrale is part of all bachelor programmes at the University of Cologne (with the exception of the teaching degree programmes) and accounts for 12 credit points that can be earned “freely” across all disciplines. The aim of this offer is to foster an individual education for each student – beyond the compulsory courses and electives prescribed by his or her respective programme curriculum.

Teaching and research are considered on an equal footing at the UoC and dovetailed where it makes sense to do so. In this context, students at the UoC with an interest in research are given structured support in the shape of various programmes and other offers and introduced to research from an early stage. 
Particular examples are the research classes for teaching degree students (Lehramtsstudierende) and students in regular programmes (Fachstudierende), the Competence Labs of the project “A Future Strategy for Teacher Education” (ZuS), the cross-Faculty project „ViLLA Videos in der Lehrerinnen- und Lehrerausbildung" as well as the zdi-Schüler/innenlabor. CEPLAS awards 12 Stipendien each year to bachelor students in the natural sciences for a three-week research internship in the field of plant sciences. An example from the Faculty of Medicine is the Cologne Research Exchange (Forschungsbörse).

One of the UoC’s key features is its teacher education, which is currently being further enhanced in the framework of the initiative “A Future Strategy for Teacher Education” („Zukunftsstrategie LehrerInnenbildung“) with the aid of funding from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The Centre for Teacher Education (Zentrum für LehrerInnenbildung (ZfL)) is the central contact point for the over 14,200 teaching degree students at the University of Cologne: It is responsible for arranging the practical phases of the bachelor’s programmes and the coordination of the internship semester in the master’s programmes. The Joint Examination Office for Teacher Training Studies of the Centre for Teacher Education administers the Joint Examination Regulations for Teacher Training Studies and ensures that they are implemented and observed. In the framework of its own graduate school, the centre supports early career researchers in the fields of subject-related didactics and educational sciences. The centre’s advisors are on hand to assist (prospective) students with all matters concerning teacher training. In addition, the ZfL works on various issues such as the digitisation of teaching and learning, internationalisation and the increase of equal opportunities. In this way the ZfL actively supports the innovation of teacher education.

The internationality of studies, teaching, and research has always been part of the UoC’s identity. The University has reflected on its Internationalization Strategy in the framework of an audit by the German Rectors’ Conference and a re-audit. For the area of teaching, the Internationalization Strategy includes the internationalization of teaching staff. For the area of studies, it foresees the fulfilment of certain standards to encourage international mobility (especially the internationalization of teacher education), more and structured possibilities for internationalization “at home”, as well as enhancement of the University’s appeal for incoming students (see also Cornerstones of the Model “Studying in Cologne” (PDF, Ger.).

To ensure equal opportunities and maintain diversity, various central and decentralized institutions and other players are working together around the Central Gender Equality Officer  and the Department for Gender and Diversity Management (Zentrale Gleichstellungsbeauftragte und das Referat Gender und Diversity Management - GeDiM). In order to integrate gender equality systematically into studies and teaching, seven core objectives were formulated in cooperation with the Gender Equality Officer and the GeDiM. The Faculties, departments, and degree programmes have planned and implemented concrete measures with which to meet them. New stimulus is being injected by the “Shaping Diversity” audit (Diversity-Audit „Vielfalt Gestalten“), in the framework of which a Diversity Strategy for the whole university will be developed and put into practice.

A dense network of advisory services is available for students of the University of Cologne as well as prospective students. Apart from the Faculties’ own advice centres, the Student Advisory and Counselling Centre (Zentrale Studienberatung) is both the first point of contact for prospective students as well as a competent partner for students during the entire course of their studies. As part of the university-wide project "Successful Studying at the University of Cologne", a strategic concept is being developed and implemented to accompany students throughout their entire student life cycle on their way to a successful degree.

Our students are formally involved in all important committees and decisions related to studies and teaching. The Rector and the Vice-Rector for Teaching and Studies are available on a regular basis in the framework of a student assembly. Student participation is also guaranteed through surveys in the framework of the Central Evaluation of Studies and Teaching | University Research (Zentralen Evaluation von Studium und Lehre | Hochschulforschung), which are carried out at various stages in the student life cycle and each focus on a different priority or interest.

Alongside its university didactics portfolio (hochschuldidaktisches Angebot), the UoC organizes annual Teaching Days in order to ensure a high-quality, dynamic, and continuously developing teaching culture. It also fosters innovative teaching concepts in the framework of the biannual Innovation in Teaching Call for Proposals (Ausschreibung Innovation in der Lehre). In the framework of the project “Professionalization in Teaching Cluster” which started recently, the “Teaching Constitution” at the UoC is being further sharpened and refined. The project "PLAN - Professionalization of Teaching in Academic Networks" focuses on questions of quality development taking into account subject-specific and general didactic aspects.

KLIPS 2.0, the integrated campus management system of the University of Cologne, is a source of comprehensive support and helps students to organize their studies from the application phase to the completion of their degree programme. To support digital teaching, the University runs the ILIAS eLearning Platform (ILIAS), with which both classroom teaching can be enhanced through digital reserve shelves as well as new teaching concepts implemented, such as blended learning. An Electronic Examination Centre (EPC) is currently being set up for eExaminations and IT-assisted teaching.
 In the Electronic Examination Centre (EPC), e-examinations are taken and IT-supported teaching formats are offered. 
With the aim of ensuring continuous quality development of digital teaching formats, the "Digital Teaching" committee of experts, as an association of all relevant players, is dedicated to the central issues of the field.

Das  The UoC’s ProfessionalCenter helps to bridge the transition between university and career. It offers students of all Faculties practice-related courses on general and career-oriented skills, provides guidance, and facilitates contacts to professional practice.