For German citizens with foreign university entrance qualification the recognition of their school leaving certificate by a German recognition office is necessary. Additionally, final grade has to be converted.

If you are willing to study in NRW you have to contact Bezirksregierung Düsseldorf. If you live in any other federal state of Germany, please turn to the recognition office in a given state. Please take care of the recognition of certificates in time before the application deadline!

If you possess a Studienkolleg assessment test (Feststellungsprüfung), there is no need to formally recognise secondary school leaving certificate.

German citizens who have a foreign university entrance qualification (HZB), are required to have excellent German-language skills. German citizenship only is not a proof of language ability. German-language proficiency can be ascertained by following language certifications:

• TestDaF TDN 4 in all examination parts
• DSH 2*
• Deutsches Sprachdiplom, level II of the KMK (DSD II)
• Telc C1 Hochschule
• Telc C2
• C2 certificate of the Goehte-Institut
• ÖSD C2
• Feststellungsprüfung (FSP), including German

* Only DSH of higher education institutions with registered examination regulations in accordance with the provisions of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK).

Certain international school-leaving qualifications, e.g. from German-speaking regions, are exceptions or are recognised as equivalent.  If you have any questions about examinations or qualifications that require exemption, please contact us using our contact form.

Medicine or Dentistry:

If you apply for Medicine or Dentistry you should not submit any further application to the International Office, since you already did apply at Hochschulstart.

You submit your proof of German language skills when you enrol at the University of Cologne.

All other undergraduate degree courses:

After you have applied online via KLIPS 2.0, please send the following documents by post to the International Office (Mailing address below).

• Signed application form (printout from the KLIPS 2.0 online application)
• Copy of your passport / ID
• Legally certified copy of your school leaving certifcate and a transcript of subjects and marks (with translation if not issued in German, English or French)
• Legally certified copy of a German language proficiency certificate (DSD-2 / TestDaF 4x4 or equivalent, see Point 2 above)
• Officially certified copy of the certificate of recognition of the district government of Düsseldorf with conversion of the overall grade (for German citizens only)

If applicable:

• Proof of passing the university entrance examination in the home country (officially certified copy)
• Certificate of assessment test (»Feststellungsprüfung« incl. »Vorbildungsnachweis«)
• Only for holders of an International Baccalaureate (IB): Officially certified copy of the IB certificate with proof of continuous attendance (2 years) of the examination subjects.
• Legally certified copy of university transcrips, along with subjects and marks (with translation if not issued in German, English or French)

You might apply for up to 9 study courses. If so, please admit the respective application forms and just one application set.

Mailing address:
Universität zu Köln
International Office, Team Zulassung
Albertus-Magnus-Platz
50923 Köln

If you are awarded a place in the selection process, you will receive admission for your chosen subject online in your KLIPS 2.0 applicant account. Please track the status of your application continuously in your KLIPS 2.0 account.

After being admitted, you can enrol at the International Office of the University of Cologne.

To enrol you must complete the following by the deadline specified on the admission notification:

1. pay the semester fee in full
2. upload your photograph to Klips 2.0 for your electronic student ID (UCCard)
3. submit all the documents needed for enrolment

The documents must be received by the International Office of the University of Cologne by the deadline (upload, personal delivery or by post).

In your KLIPS 2.0 applicant account, you will see which documents you must submit for enrolment and in what form.

After you have registered, we will send you your student card (UCCard) by mail. Please make sure to enter a valid German postal address in KLIPS 2.0.

Visiting address: (There are no personal consultation hours at the moment, but you can drop your documents in the mailbox in front of the Service Point / International Office)
Universität zu Köln
International Office, Team Zulassung
Studierenden Service Center, EG
Universitätsstr. 22a
50937 Köln

Mailing address:
Universität zu Köln
International Office, Team Zulassung
Albertus-Magnus-Platz
50923 Köln