One of the key aspects when planning your studies in Cologne – especially as an international student - is the financing of your studies. Many international students depend on
• a job • a scholarship • a loan.
Here we would like to provide to you useful tips for financing your studies sucessfully.
Does the University of Cologne charge tuition fees and what exactly is the social contribution fee ("Semesterbeitrag")?
Each semester, all enrolled students of the University of Cologne have to pay a social contribution fee ("Semesterbeitrag"). The social contribution fee is newly calculated each semester and consists of a fee for the "Kölner Studierendenwerk" (KSTW) as well as for the General Students´ Commitee ("AStA"). Additionally, it finances university sports and the semester ticket (use of public transport in Germany with the 'Deutschlandsemesterticket').
The current amount of the social contribution fee changes each semester. In the summer semester 2024, the semester fee is of 304,15 €.
The University of Cologne does not charge any tuition fees.
Living Costs in Cologne
Costs of Living in Cologne
The cost of living for a student in Cologne are of appr. 986,00 €: (approximate estimate, also according to the 22st Social Survey of the "Deutsches Studierendenwerk", 2021) :
Rent (including extra charges)
442,00
Alimentation
200,00
Clothes
47,00
Learning material
20,00
Semester fee *
53,00
Health insurance, Medical fees
120,00
Communication (Phone, Internet)
33,00
Leisure/Culture/Sports
71,00
* The semester fee has to be paid each semester/6 months and amounts to 304,15 € (as of summer semester 2024). It includes a ticket for public transportation in Germany.
Residence permit and financial proof
If you apply for a residence permit for the purpose of studying in Germany, you have to submit a financial proof to the German Authorities. This financial proof ensures that you are able to cover all living costs during your stay in Germany. The amount of money you have to prove is based on rates that also apply to German students. At the moment it amounts to €934 per month, i.e. €11'208 per year.
Please note: The maximum BaföG rate will increase from €934 to €992 in winter semester 2024/2025, it is therefore likely that embassies and immigration offices will expect you to provide €992 per month, i.e. €11'904 per year for the winter semester 2024/25. We strongly recommend that you block this amount before applying for a visa or residence permit.
The financial proof can be proven by the following documents:
declaration of commitment - "Verpflichtungserklärung" (What is a "declaration of commitment"? - further information of the City of Cologne, in German language)
scholarship grant
bank statements, if necessary
Please note: Not every Foreigner´s Registration Office accepts every proof of financing!
We therefore strongly recommend opening a blocked account, as this proof of financing is certainly accepted by all Auhtorities. You must provide a proof of the sum of €11.208 each time you renew your residence permit for one year. It is therefore advisable to keep the entire sum in the blocked account throughout your studies and to finance the expenses incurred during your studies - if possible - through different means (e.g. through part-time job, support from parents, etc.).
It is common that most of the students work while they study. However, studying shall be first priority - a fact that is controlled by the legal regulations in regard to work permission for students.
EU-/EEA Citizens: To EU-/EEA Citizens apply the same employment regulations as to German students - during lecture period they are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week and during the semester break up to 40 hours per week without becoming liable for social insurance („Sozialversicherung“), i.e. they do not have to pay into social insurance. If students work more, i.e. the part-time job takes up more time than their studies and they earn more than 538 EUR, students also become liable for social insurance.
Important: If a EU-/EEA citizen starts a job as a student assistant, a German statutory health insurance is mandatory! Please inform yourself at a German Statutory health insurance company.
Non-EU-/EEA Citizens: International students from non-EU/EEA countries have to consider legal restrictions when working. This way, financing the costs of living by working is not possible, at best international students can earn some extra money. International students are allowed to work up to 140 full days (4-8 hours per day) or 280 half days (1-4 hours per day) per year. This regulation also applies for paid and unpaid internships! A job as a student assistant at a university is permitted, so a student assistant is allowed to work more.
In any case, please inform the Foreigners Registration Office on your employments and be sure of the documentation of the time period you are working.
If you have a job which exceeds the regulation of 140/280 days (e.g. full-time internship of at least six months) you have to apply for a permit at the Foreigners Registration Office. Please consult us before doing so.
Scholarship holders: If you have received a visa for study purposes on the basis of a scholarship award, you are not allowed to work. This is mentioned in the residence permit in the passport. Scholarship holders who entered Germany without any visa have to ask for permission at the scholarship provider before starting a job.
Doctoral Students: There can be special work regulations for doctoral students. If you have any questions pleasecontact us.
Finances play a central role when you plan a course of study at the University of Cologne. There are many different establishments and organisations to which you can apply as a foreign or graduate student for individual grants or scholarships. Scholarship databases such as the DAAD scholarship database offer you a comprehensive overview of different scholarship programmes, taking into account your country of origin and your subject area.
The standards are very different, but in the majority of cases the deciding factor is academic potential and not financial need.
Please note:
• study beginners have relatively little chance to be awarded a scholarship. Scholarships are awarded mainly to advanced students, most of all to students of Master and PhD programs. • the funding of the complete studies is only possible in exceptional cases.
If you already look for scholarship opportunities in your home country, please consult:
• a DAAD office abroad (Außenstelle des DAAD) • the German Embassy or Consulate.
Scholarship program of the University of Cologne
The University of Cologne offers a scholarship program for German and international students. The program consists of three grants:
• Deutschlandstipendium des Bundes • Sozialstipendium der Universität zu Köln (social scholarship) • Stipendium für Studierende mit Behinderung oder chronischer Erkrankung (scholarship for students with disability and chronic disease)
All grants are of 300 €/month and are awarded depending the academic performance. For the "Sozialstipendium" and the "Stipendium für Studierende mit Behinderung oder chronischer Erkrankung" social criteria are decisive as well.
Student Loan
As an alternative to a scholarship, there is also the possibility of borrowing money for living expenses during your studies within the framework of a loan. Please be sure to seek advice before taking out a student loan!
If you are in a particular financial emergency, the Social Counselling Service of the Kölner Studierendenwerk (KSTW)offers limited possibilities of short-term loans and assistance funds. The requirements for receiving the loan must be clarified in a personal counselling interview.
