To apply for an undergraduate degree programme, you must possess a formal university entrance qualification to German universities (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung) and sufficient proficiency in German language.

a. University Entrance Qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung)

A Hochschulzugangsberechtigung makes you eligible to apply to a German university. You can find out whether your secondary school leaving certificate is equivalent to a Hochschulzugangsberechtigung in Germany here: 
www.anabin.kmk.org ⇨ Schulabschlüsse mit Hochschulzugang ⇨ Land wählen.
www.daad.de/deutschland/nach-deutschland/voraussetzungen/en/6017-admission-requirements

Further information about the common entrance qualifications can be found in our Application Guide for International Students on page 8.
 

b. German-language proficiency

All bachelor courses of study at the University of Cologne are taught in German. The same applies to of programmes that culminate in a state examination (such as Medicine, Dentistry and Law).

There are no English-taught undergraduate programmes of study at the University of Cologne. Students must therefore demonstrate excellent German-language skills when they apply, this means German language proficiency on the C1-C2 level of the Common European Framework. This is also required for German citizens with foreign university entrance qualifications.
We accept the following certificates:

• TestDaF TDN 4 in all examination parts
• DSH 2
• Deutsches Sprachdiplom, level II of the KMK (DSD II)
• Telc C1 Hochschule
• Telc C2
• C2 certificate of the Goehte-Institut
• ÖSD C2

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.

A complete listing of degree courses can be found on the website of the Central Academic Advisory Service at:
ukoeln.de/SE9CJ

[Also see hukoeln.de/VZUSX]

The Central Academic Advisory Service offers counselling for your choice of degree programmes.

All undergraduate programmes of study have restricted admission for incoming first-semester students.

The higher education compass offered by German Rectors' Conference (Hochschulkompass der Hochschulrektorenkonferenz (HRK)) provides you with information about all degree courses offered by German universities.

Non-EU-citizens applying for undergraduate degree programmes (bachelor degree courses or state examination) beginning in the first semester must use the online application portal of uni-assist e.V. After completing the online application applicants must submit all the necessary application documents directly to uni-assist e.V. by the specified deadline.

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

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

Uni-assist e.V. must receive your application by 15 July for the winter semester and by 15 January for the summer semester.

Information about the required application documents can be found at uni-assist e.V.

• the signed application for admission for foreign applicants (printout of the uni-assist e.V. online application)
• a gapless curriculum vitae in tabular form written in German
• a proof (certified copy) about the knowledge of the German language, at least at the level of DSH-2
• your secondary education certificate (certified copy) 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 – not necessary for applications for undergraduate teaching degree courses and law

  • For applications at the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences:
    core test and subject-specific module MINT
  • For applications at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and the Faculty of Human Sciences:
    core test and module GKG
  • For applications at the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences:
    • For all subjects: core test and subject-specific module WW
    • Except for Social Sciences: core test and subject-specific module GKG

• If applicable, a proof of the successfully completed university entrance exam in the home country (certified copy)
• If applicable, a certificate of entrance examination (»Feststellungsprüfung«)
• Only for holders of certificates from China, Mongolia and Vietnam: APS certificate (original copy)
• Only for holders of an International Baccalaureate (IB): in addition certified copies of the school reports of the last two school years with a listing of subjects and grades and a proof of 12 school years
• A simple copy of your passport and a passport photo
• voucher for the processing fee of uni-assist e.V.

Please note that you must have previously completed the TestAS and must submit a TestAS certificate with your application to uni-assist e.V. Exception: Applicants to undergraduate teaching degree courses and to law are exempt from taking the TestAS.

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. 

Exception for the summer term 2019: Applicants to undergraduate teaching degree courses and to law are exempt from taking the 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. 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 required score depends on the course of study you apply for: 

During your first semester you collaterally participate in the obligatory programme »Studienstart International integrale«. In return, you receive up to 12 credit points in your module »Studium integrale« of your regular bachelor studies.

Additional seminars and lectures can be attended according to personal preferences with the help of a skilled worker of the corresponding faculty.

In order to attend the degree courses at the Faculty of Medicine medicine, an enrolment to »Studienstart International plus« is requisite.

Exceptions: students of undergraduate teaching degree courses as well as law are not entitled to partake in »Studienstart International integrale« yet are more than welcome to contact employees of the International office if interested in participation.

What does "Studienstart International integrale" offer you?

Studienstart International integrale will be supporting you ideally during the beginning of your study. Apart from specialist German classes you will be partaking in seminars on intercultural sensitization as well as overall competences of studying. Orientation sessions and intensive support supplement the coverage of Studienstart International integrale.

Therefore you have the best prerequisites to feel comfortable at the University of Cologne. 

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.

Your KLIPS 2.0 account will specify which documents are required for your enrolment. There you will also find information on bank and transfer details.

Please note that bank transfers from foreign countries usually carry an extra charge that must be paid in addition to the semester fee.

Visiting address:
Universität zu Köln
International Office, Team Zulassung
Studierenden Service Center, EG
Universitätsstr. 22a
50937 Köln

Office hours: daily from 10 am to 12:30 pm, closed on Wednesdays

Mailing address:
Universität zu Köln
International Office, Team Zulassung
Albertus-Magnus-Platz
50923 Köln