To pass the "Zugangsprüfung" you have to go through two steps: 

1. Successful participation in the TestAS (must be completed before the application)
2. Successful participation in the one-semester programme of the Studienstart International plus

In the first semester you are passing through the pre-semester »Studienstart International plus«. If successfully completing the pre-semester you will attain the authorization to study your desired subject and will start studying your chosen subject immediately after completing the pre-semester (alternative to the Studienkolleg). A new application is not necessary. 

A change of the study course is only possible to a limited extent. Please contact us.

A change of university is only possible after 4 semesters in the degree course.

Studienstart International plus is an ideal preparation for your academic through running through basic courses of your studies, subject-specific German courses, as well as courses for cross-cultural sensitization and study competences. Information events and intense consulting complete that programme.

Exception: Applicants for undergraduate teaching degree courses and for law are currently not eligible for those without University Entrance Qualification.

You can find further information on Studienstart International here.

At present, you can only take the entrance exam if you wish to study at one of the following faculties: 

Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences

Faculty of Medicine

Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Faculty of Human Sciences

Note: It is currently not possible to take the entrance exam for teaching degree courses or law courses.

The entire programme can be found at the website of the Central Academic Advisory Service:
www.zsb.uni-koeln.de > Studienangebot > Fächerübersicht (grundständiges Studium)

a. Indirect university entrance qualification to German universities

You are entitled to attend a Studienkolleg (indirect university entrance qualification). You can check here whether your foreign secondary school leaving certificate (or previous university education) is sufficient to attend a Studienkolleg in Germany: https://www.uni-assist.de/en/tools/check-university-admission/ 

b. German-language proficiency

The teaching language of all Bachelor's programs at the University of Cologne is German. The same applies to the courses of study with state examination (Medicine, Dentistry).

In order to study at the University of Cologne, you must therefore demonstrate very good 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.

c. TestAS certificate

The TestAS (Test for Academic Studies) is a central, standardised aptitude test for foreign students. The test may be taken in German or in English at a licensed test centre (e.g. at University of Cologne). We accept the paper-based and the digital TestAS.

d. Special application requirements

Special application requirements apply to certain fields of study. Please consult the relevant websites for more information:

Bachelor Management, Economics and Social Sciences

Bachelor VWL

The semester for which you can apply depends on the degree programme you wish to study.

Note: Holders of a non-direct university entrance qualification may not apply at the Faculty of Law as well as for teaching degree courses at the moment.

Non-EU-citizens, holding a indirect university entrance qualification, who apply for the Entrance exam (Zugangsprüfung) must use the online application portal of uni-assist e.V. https://my.uni-assist.de/ 

Attention: Paperless application procedure. Please do not send any documents by mail for this application. Upload all documents to the online application portal.

Until when do I have to submit my application to uni-assist e.V.?

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

Important notes on applying for uni-assist:

Applicants for subjects of study at the following faculties:

• Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences
• Faculty of Arts and Humanities
• Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
• Faculty of Human Sciences

You apply for the program "Studienstart International" and choose the corresponding faculty.

Applicants for subjects of study at the

• Faculty of Medicine

You apply directly for the corresponding subject (Human Medicine, Dentistry, Neurosciences)

The following application documents must be submitted to the online portal of uni-assist e.V. (upload). The International Office reserves the right to request certified documents at any time.

Attention: Paperless application procedure. Please do not send any documents by mail for this application. Upload all documents to the online application portal.

• A gapless curriculum vitae in tabular form written in German
• A proof about the knowledge of the German language, at least at the level of DSH-2 (see point 4)
• Your secondary education certificate 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
• TestAS certificate
  • For applications for teaching degree courses: core test and subject-specific module HUM
  • For applications at the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences: core test and subject-specific module ECO
  • For applications at the Faculty of Law, Faculty of Arts and Humanities and the Faculty of Human Sciences: core test and module HUM
  • For applications at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences: core test and subject-specific module MATH
  • For applications at the Faculty of Medicine core test and subject-specific module MEDICINE (MED)
• If applicable, a proof of the successfully completed university entrance exam in the home country
• Only for holders of certificates from China and Vietnam: individuale APS certificate (see point 7)
• A copy of your passport

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

For India: As of the winter semester 2023/24

For all undergraduate degree courses: You must have previously completed the TestAS and must submit a TestAS certificate with your application to uni-assist e.V.  We accept the paper-based and the digital TestAS.

The TestAS (Test for Academic Studies) is a central, standardised aptitude test for foreign students. The test may be taken in German or in English at a licensed test centre (e.g. at the University of Cologne).

Most TestDaF centres also offer the TestAS. Furthermore there are licensed test centres around the world. Tests are offered a few times a year, and you must register early. You can find test and registration dates and further information at www.testas.de. 

The test consists of a core test and a subject-specific module that depends on the study programme to which you are applying.

The minimum percentile rank depends on your choice of study. It is the average of the achieved minimum percentile rank of the core test and the field of study specific module. The paper-based TestAS and the digital TestAS are accepted.

After your application documents have been reviewed by uni-assist e.V. and forwarded to the University of Cologne, you will receive login data for the university’s KLIPS 2.0 online application portal.

The login data will be sent to the e-mail address you indicated in the application you submitted to uni-assist e.V. You can then follow the status of your application on your KLIPS 2.0 account.

If you get a study place in the allocation, you will find the admission for your requested subject in your KLIPS 2.0-account.

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

1. Pay the semester fee in full.
2. Upload a photograph to KLIPS 2.0 for your electronic student ID (UCCard).
3. Submit the documents needed for enrolment (Upload in Klips 2.0).

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.

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

Mailing address:
University of Cologne
International Office, Team Admission
Albertus-Magnus-Platz
50923 Cologne