Universität zu Köln (University of Cologne)
About
University of Cologne is a tuition-free public research university covering business, economics, law, medicine, humanities, IT, science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), and social sciences, with an IELTS 6.5 entry bar. As Germany's fourth-largest city with a strong media, finance, and tech economy, Cologne offers real internship access, plus the EU-recognised degree's 18-month post-study job-seeker visa.
Cologne is a major city with 50,000 students—large, vibrant, with a real cultural scene and nightlife. The cost of living is high for Germany, so budget carefully. But the diversity and employer presence in the city compensate with internship and job opportunities.
Application deadlines
- SoSeJan 15
Via the central application service (uni-assist) (date of receipt).
- Winter semester — Bachelor, 1st semester, local restricted admission (NC)15 July
Confirmed; matches stored row for the Bachelor level. Source: https://studsek.uni-koeln.de/bewerbung/alle_termine_im_ueberblick/index_ger.html
- Winter semester — Bachelor, unrestricted (zulassungsfrei) enrolment30 September
Not in stored data; added for completeness. Source: https://studsek.uni-koeln.de/bewerbung/alle_termine_im_ueberblick/index_ger.html
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study at Universität zu Köln (University of Cologne) as a non-EU student?
Tuition for non-EU students at Universität zu Köln (University of Cologne) is €0 per year. Living costs in Cologne are separate.
What IELTS score do you need for Universität zu Köln (University of Cologne)?
English-taught programmes at Universität zu Köln (University of Cologne) typically require IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. Confirm the exact requirement per programme on the official admissions page.
How much money do you need to show for a student visa to Germany?
For a student residence permit in Germany you must prove €11,904 per year (2026, DAAD / Study in Germany — proof of financing (blocked account, 992 EUR/month for 12 months): https://www.study-in-germany.com/en/plan-your-studies/requirements/proof-of-financing/).
Does Universität zu Köln (University of Cologne) offer scholarships?
DAAD: Master's/PhD, merit-based (RU/BY de-facto restricted post-2022). Deutschlandstipendium: €300/mo, all nationalities, merit + social commitment. Apply via university portal (Apr–Jun).
Where is Universität zu Köln (University of Cologne) located?
Universität zu Köln (University of Cologne) is in Cologne, Germany. Albertus-Magnus-Platz, 50923 Köln, Germany
What can you study at Universität zu Köln (University of Cologne)?
Fields offered include: Business, Economics, Social Sciences, Computer Science, Law, Medicine, Humanities, STEM.
Accommodation
KSTW (Kölnisches Studierendenwerk). 90+ residences, 5,000 places. Warm rent (all-inclusive). Very scarce — only ~1/3 of applicants receive a place. Apply 3–6 months before planned move-in.
- Studierendenwerk Köln · regional student services — it allocates the halls, not the university
- WG-Gesucht
- HousingAnywhere
- ImmobilienScout24
Scholarships
- 🏛DAAD
- 🏛Deutschlandstipendium
DAAD: Master's/PhD, merit-based (RU/BY de-facto restricted post-2022). Deutschlandstipendium: €300/mo, all nationalities, merit + social commitment. Apply via university portal (Apr–Jun).
National funding for this destination
Honestly
Why this works
- As a public university in NRW, Cologne charges no tuition for international students, unlike private German peers.
- IELTS 6.5 minimum is accessible for most CIS applicants with standard B2-level English preparation.
- The university covers business, economics, law, medicine, humanities, IT, and science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) — broad field fit for diverse academic goals.
- Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city with a strong media, finance, and tech economy, supporting internship access.
- A German degree carries EU recognition, and graduates are eligible for an 18-month job-seeker visa across the entire Schengen zone.
- Students may work 120 full or 240 half days per year, enabling part-time income to offset living costs.
What to check
- Most bachelor programmes are taught in German — CIS applicants without C1 German must plan 1-2 years of language preparation.
- Non-EU school leavers typically need to complete a preparatory year (Studienkolleg) or equivalent before direct bachelor admission in Germany.
- Germany requires proof of funds via a blocked account (Sperrkonto) of approximately €11,904 before a student visa is issued.
- Cologne is a major city with a known student-housing shortage — securing affordable accommodation can take months and requires early action.
- Admission to high-demand faculties such as medicine and law is highly competitive, with a cap on the number of places (numerus clausus) limiting available places.
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These fields in the country
Tuition and deadlines change with each academic year — the date beside the figures says when we last confirmed them on the official source. Visa rules are set by governments and can change between our checks.
We break down figures like these in the channel — each one with a source and a date. Open the channel