On these sites, we would like to provide some information for enrolled international students in terms of the organisation of their studies at the University of Cologne and concerning life in Cologne in general. The information is appropriate for:
international students in undergraduate/state examination courses of study (Bachelor, Staatsexamen) and Master students
Finding accomodation in Cologne is difficult! Find out about the housing situation as early as possible on our websites and get in touch with students from Cologne.
Please consult our team if you have questions regarding:
Extension of residence permit and "Studienverlaufsbescheinigung"
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".
Certificates and confirmations
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.
If you have further question on working and studying, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Individual challenges during your studies
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:
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:
