Intergenerational Justice - Conviviality, Cooperation and Sustainable Future Visions
COLOGNE SUMMER SCHOOLS invites international students to Cologne to explore questions of intergenerational justice and sustainable future visions. The summer school is open for all majors and approaches the subject in trans- and interdisciplinary perspectives. The academic program is clustered in five sections focusing on recent research as well as urgent socio-political aspects of (inter-)generational issues. The participants will learn more about
1) intergenerational justice and sustainability in the field of climate change, environmental politics and social transformations,
2) demographic changes in the Global North and Global South and their effects on education, social security and wellbeing,
3) intergenerational conviviality and cooperation in politics, organizations and institutional law,
4) discrimination of/within (past, present, future) generations including questions of epistemic injustice, colonial legacies and structural discrimination of class, gender and race,
5) (inter-)generational experiences and narratives in the context of historical and biographical research asking how they affect social unity, collective identities and actions.
Through lectures, seminars and group projects the participants will engage in discussions on intergenerational justice and future visions in the fields of economics, social sciences, politics, law, history, education and environmental and cultural studies.
The cultural program includes a buddy program, an intercultural training and an international picnic, site visits and excursions in Cologne and the region, a welcome ceremony and a farewell dinner at the University of Cologne.
The COLOGNE SUMMER SCHOOL will take place at the University of Cologne, Germany, in a hybrid format from July 21 until August 1, 2025. There will be 20 onsite participation spots and 12 online participation spots.
The application is open
to bachelor and master students from all disciplines enrolled at an international partner university of the University of Cologne.
from March 1 until March 31, 2025.
and includes a video of motivation (max. 2 min.), a CV in English, a transcript of records of at least the last 2 semesters, an English language certificate
and must be submitted online via application form (see link below).
Sounds interesting?
Below you will find links to the call for application and the online application form. We are looking forward to your application!
Click through all sections to inform yourself about the requirements
Application Requirements FAQs
What are the application requirements?
You have to be an enrolled student at the University of Cologne OR an enrolled student at a partner university of the University of Cologne. If you don’t know whether your university is a partner of UoC or not, check this page.
If your university is not listed, it is still possible that a partnership on the faculty or department level exists. Therefore, we advise you to inquire at the International Office of your home university or to contact an international program coordinator in your department.
You also need a certificate in English language (preferably C1). See following questions for more details.
What does the hybrid format actually mean?
The hybrid format enables students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, with country specific challenges and different personal needs, with the respective academic curricular and coursework obligations to participate in the Cologne Summer School. We offer two options for participation: onsite and online.
The online group will join the hybrid lectures and workshops from 2.00 pm to 5.30 pm (CEST, UTC+2) and therefore, will participate part-time. This option is compatible with time zone differences, ongoing studies, internships, part-time job obligations, and care work.
The onsite group will participate in only-onsite lectures, workshops, study trips from 9.30 am to 1.00 pm and in hybrid lectures and workshops from 2.00 pm to 5.30 pm. The onsite option is a full-time participation which takes place in Cologne, Germany.
Do I have to pay tuition fees for this course?
No. As a student of one of the partner universities of the University of Cologne OR as a student of the University of Cologne you do not have to pay any tuition fees. The onsite as well as the online scholarship includes the tuition fee.
Which costs does Cologne Summer Schools cover for me?
If you are selected to participate onsite, you will receive a mobility grant covering at least 50% of the total travel costs from your place of residence to Cologne and back. Furthermore, Cologne Summer Schools provides scholarships that will cover tuition fees, accommodation in a hostel including breakfast and lunch, welcome ceremony, intercultural training, excursions, study trips, cultural activities, and evening events.
If you are selected to participate online, the scholarship covers tuition fees, a buddy program, online cultural activities, hybrid events, and a networking session with CSS alumni.
What kind of costs do I take care of by myself?
For onsite participation:
Travel costs (that exceed the amount of the offered mobility grant)
Visa fees
Health and travel insurance
Any leisure activities that are not part of the academic and cultural program of the summer school and you decide to undertake in your free time like travels to nearby cities, shopping, museum visits etc.
Dinner
Meals on the day off (Sunday)
What documents do I need for my application?
Certificate in English (proficiency level)
TOELF iTP (600-677), TOEFL iBT (95-120), IELTS (6,5-9) or
Cambridge Certificate C1 Advanced or Proficiency (C2)
Not required for native speakers or persons who study entirely in English
You will be asked to verify that you study in English in the application form
CV (English, max. 2 pages)
Transcript of Records in English (issued and stamped by your home university)
Video of Motivation in English: Instead of uploading a letter of motivation, we ask you to upload a video of max. three minutes in which you introduce yourself and explain your motivation to participate in the summer school on Intergenerational Justice. (You will find more information in the call for application and the online application form.)
Which English level is required?
Since the program is taught entirely in English and your active participation is essential for the group work sessions and the preparation of a final presentation, we require a certificate of English proficiency. We accept the most common certificates with these scores: TOEFL iTP 600-677, TOEFL iBT 95-120, IELTS (6,5-9), Cambridge Advanced (C1) or Proficiency (C2) Certificate.
You do not need a language certificate if:
English is your native language.
If your study program is thaught entirely in English. Please provide us with a verification (e.g. website of your study program or transcript of records explicitly stating English as official language of instruction).
The application form will consider all of these factors and adjust accordingly.
What are the selection criteria?
A selection committee will choose the summer school participants according to the following criteria:
Quality of the video of motivation
High interest in and contribution to the topic of the summer school and motivation to engage in discussions, group activities
Relevant extracurricular activities
Academic record and academic progress
Grade point average of English proficiency certificate (minimum of C1)
Willingness to participate if offered an online spot instead of an onsite one
When will I know if I am selected?
Admission decisions will be sent via e-mail to each chosen candidate maximum a month after the application deadline has expired. To ensure that we reach you, please take care that your contact information in the application is legible. Also, check regularly your spam box.
All applicants will receive an e-mail with either an admission or a rejection letter.
Which type of scholarship can I apply for?
Cologne Summer Schools offer mobility grants and onsite scholarships for onsite participation. You will find detailed information in the application form and in the call for applications.
Cologne Summer Schools offer online scholarships for online participation. You will find detailed information in the application form and in the call for applications.
Can I acquire ECTS with my participation in the summer school?
Yes. Upon successful participation in the summer school, which consists of attending all classes and completing a final group project, you will receive a certificate. Onsite participants will be granted 2 ECTS, online participants 1 ECTS since they will take part in fewer classes. Every student is self-responsible for the communication with their home university and the procedure of acknowledgement of the ECTS.
Do I need a visa for travelling to Germany?
Plese check yourself if you need to apply for a visa to travel to Germany!
Please inform yourself about the visa application process at the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Please note:
Processing times for visa applications take at least two months. Therefore we highly recommend to apply for the visa immediately upon receipt of your admission to the summer school.
The International Office of the University of Cologne is not responsible for arranging your visa. We will send you an official invitation letter which to attach to your visa application to confirm the reason you wish to travel to Germany.
On the planned date of departure from Germany, your passport should have at least another three months validity. It should also contain at leasttwo empty pages where the visa can be inserted.
For further information please visit the following websites or contact the offices of German consulate and embassy in your home country.
The application deadline is March 31, 2025 at23:59 CEST, UTC+2 (German time)!
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
The application takes place entirely online. Please read carefully through the information and details in the call for applications. You can apply here.
