a. Purpose to study at the University of Cologne finishing the following degree: Master

b. Good German language skills (completed level B2)

c. A formal university entrance qualification for Master studies at the University of Cologne

For the preparatory German course, you must prove that you have a good knowledge of the German language, at least a completed B2 level. We accept the following certificates:

• TestDaF with TDN 3 in all four competencies
• DSH 1*
• Telc Deutsch B2
• Goethe-Zertifikat B2
• ÖSD B2

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

The German language certificate submitted with the application must have been obtained within the previous two years.

After your enrolment, a placement test will take place at the beginning of the German course.

Registration for the Preparatory German Course costs 500 € per semester. The final language examination for university admission is subject to a fee. Participants are regularly enrolled as students of the preparatory German course at the University of Cologne. A semester social contribution fee of approx. 280 € is also required (that includes a NRW semester ticket).

You do not actively apply for the study-preparatory German course. You apply for your desired (approval-free) Master's program. You can find information on how to apply here. If you submit a B2 certificate accepted by the University of Cologne in the process (cf. point 2), we will offer you a study-preparatory German course.

• Application deadline for the winter semester: July 15th (date of receipt)
• Application deadline for the summer semester: January 15th (date of receipt)

Please refer to the website of the respective Master's program or Master's admissions committee for information on all specific application documents to be submitted.

General required application documents

• A simple copy of your passport
• A gapless curriculum vitae in tabular form written in German
• Your secondary education certificate (certified copy) including a subject and grading schedule and a translation (if not issued in German or English) or, in applicable, the letter of acceptance or the certificate of enrollment
• Officially certified copy of your Bachelor degree, along with the subjects and marks (including translation if not issued in German or English)
• A proof (certified copy) about the knowledge of the German language, at least B2-level (see point 2)
• Preliminary review documentation (VPD) from uni-assist (Information here)

If applicable:

• A formal university entrance qualification of your home country (including translation if not issued in German or English)
• 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.
• For applicants with certificates from China and Vietnam an original individual APS is necessary (see point 6)

Applications at University of Cologne are only possible for holders of a valid individual certificate of a Akademische Prüfstelle (APS-Zertifikat).

Please track the status of your application continuously in your KLIPS 2.0 applicant account.

If you get a place in the selection process, you will receive an admission to the German course online in your Klips 2.0 applicant account.

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

1. Pay the semester fee + course fee in full.
2. Upload a passport photograph to KLIPS 2.0 for your electronic student ID (UCCard).
3. Submit 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

After you have achieved the necessary language skills (e.g. DSH 2 or TestDaF TDN 4 in all parts of the examination), please report to the International Office immediately. Send us your scanned language certificate to international-masters-students@verw.uni-koeln.de