Innovative Teaching Schemes and Structures
The University of Cologne offers its students a large variety of degree course schemes including double-degree programmes with renowned partners, e.g. in law with the Sorbonne (Paris). All programmes are aimed at providing a high level of education and training that prepares students for a career in academic research and/or the professional market.
Currently, about 21,000 (out of 35,000) students study in just four profession-oriented areas: business administration, law, medicine, and teacher education. In particular, with about 9,500 students enrolled in study programmess for all types of teachers and school subjects, UoC is one of the largest teacher training institutions in Europe. Thus, UoC has taken major steps to better address the individual career needs of its students by exploring new concepts for both research- and profession-oriented education.
Professional Center
In 2008, the Professional School was founded to provide profession-oriented teaching programmes and career-related training and networking.
Zentrum für LehrerInnenbildung der Universität zu Köln (ZfL - Teacher Training Centre)
The ZfL Teacher Training Centre coordinates and supports all aspects of relevance to teaching degree courses. It cooperates with the Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln and the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln. This is to provide new impulses for teacher education in Cologne – as a location where prospective teachers receive active career assistance while taking a research-oriented approach to classroom and school practice. Teacher graduates with enhanced academic interests can apply for a doctoral scholarship at the Graduate School for the Advancement of Teaching Methodology.
Advanced Quality Management System for Teaching
In 2007, an advanced quality management system for teaching was implemented. It has brought about remarkable improvements in the quality of teaching and training, study programmes, and student services. These efforts were complemented by funding schemes and reward systems for excellent teaching performance. The Rector’s programme "Innovation in Studying and Teaching" has appropriated €4 million over the last two years for the exploration of new and more modern teaching concepts.
Excellent Career Opportunities
UoC graduates have excellent career opportunities to reach top-level positions in the professional market. For example, in the 2010 ranking of the journal Wirtschaftswoche based on a survey of personnel managers at top German companies, UoC took 3rd and 2nd place among Germany’s universities in business administration and economics, respectively. The well-recognized CEMS network, of which UoC is the German member, has recently been ranked number 1 in the Financial Times World Ranking of Masters in Management.
High School Students at the University
Nearly a decade ago, UoC started the pioneering project “High School Students at the University”. This project is aimed at highly motivated school pupils who are encouraged to participate in lectures at the University. For this they are awarded credit points in advance, thereby considerably shortening the duration of their (future) undergraduate training. Since this innovative programme was so successful, many other universities have also now adopted it.
