Universität zu Köln
If you're a Turkish student considering study in Germany, Cologne stands out as a city with both historical charm and a dynamic student life. At the heart of this city lies the Universität zu Köln, or the University of Cologne, one of Germany's oldest and largest universities, with a rich history dating back to 1388. Re-established in 1919, this esteemed institution operates as a comprehensive university (Volluniversität), offering a wide range of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.
Known for its research-intensive structure and as a member of Germany's leading U15 research universities, the University of Cologne is a popular choice, especially among Turkish students looking for master's and bachelor's programs in Germany. You can easily find more information by checking out the university's campus maps (maps zur) and official website (zur website). Also, if you're a student looking for information on language courses in Cologne, you'll find topics like "TH Köln German Course" frequently discussed in our forums.
Quick Facts
- City
- Köln
- State
- Nordrhein-Westfalen
- Type
- Public University (öffentlich-rechtlich)
- Founded
- 1388 (Re-established: 1919)
- Student Enrollment
- Approx. 47.238
- Number of Programs
- 54 (4 Bachelor's, 46 Master's, 4 Doctoral)
- HRK Member
- Yes
- Uni-Assist Member
- No
Universität zu Köln: History and Academic Structure
The Universität zu Köln is one of Germany's oldest and most prestigious educational institutions. Founded in 1388, closed in 1798, and re-opened in 1919, the university has since maintained its dedication to scientific research and innovative education. During the Weimar Republic, it was re-established after the loss of the University of Strasbourg following World War I, with the mission to "strengthen the German position on the Rhine."
Today, with over 47,000 students, the University of Cologne is one of Germany's largest universities, offering a broad academic spectrum through its six faculties: Law, Medicine, Management, Economics and Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and Human Sciences. The university is a member of the German U15 association of large research-intensive universities and held the title of an 'excellence university' under the German Universities Excellence Initiative from 2012 to 2019. This highlights the university's research quality and international reputation. Its consistent ranking among Germany's top 20 universities globally further demonstrates this prestige.
Programs and Application Process for International Students
The Universität zu Köln offers a wide array of program options at both bachelor's and master's levels. The university currently has 4 bachelor's, 46 master's, and 4 doctoral programs. If you're a mechanical engineering graduate looking to pursue a master's in Germany, you don't necessarily have to stick to your exact field; you can apply for related or interdisciplinary programs. For example, mechanical engineering graduates might consider master's programs in business, management, materials science, or even computer science. The key is to ensure that your previous education meets the admission requirements of the program you're applying for.
Regarding what you need to study psychology in Germany, if you have a two-year associate degree, you'll typically need to complete a Studienkolleg (university preparatory course) in Germany or finish a bachelor's degree in your home country before applying for a bachelor's program. German language proficiency is usually required at a B2 or C1 level. It's crucial to check the specific admission requirements for each program on the university's official website.
Equivalency issues for law graduates are also a common concern. If your law degree isn't recognized by Anabin (a German database for evaluating foreign qualifications), you might not be eligible to directly pursue a master's in law in Germany. In this situation, you could consider options like completing missing courses to gain equivalency or looking for a master's program in a different field. For the most accurate information, you should thoroughly review the Anabin database and contact the university's international office.
For special circumstances, such as students affected by earthquakes who cannot access their high school diploma, you should first explore ways to obtain alternative documents from relevant institutions in your home country (e.g., Ministry of National Education, e-Devlet). If that's not possible, it's advisable to contact the international offices of German universities or the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) to explain your situation and ask if there are any special solutions. Universities may show flexibility in special cases.
Estimated Monthly Cost of Living
Places to Visit and Student Hangouts
The city's landmark and a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The university's main building and central campus area, home to classrooms and administrative units.
The main library for the University of Cologne and the city, offering a wide range of resources and study spaces.
A lively street and popular student meeting point with numerous bars, cafes, and restaurants.
A large park located along the Rhine River, ideal for relaxation and social activities.
A significant art museum renowned for its modern art collections, located right next to the Kölner Dom.
Student Life and Culture
Cologne is one of Germany's most student-friendly cities, and student life at the Universität zu Köln is incredibly vibrant and diverse. The city's multicultural environment makes it easy for international students to adapt. The university campus, conveniently located near the city center, offers students rich academic and social opportunities. You can join numerous activities like student clubs, sports groups, cultural associations, and volunteer projects to meet new people and develop your interests. The area around Zülpicher Straße, in particular, is a popular spot where students gather and socialize in the evenings. Parks and cafes along the Rhine River are also pleasant places for students to relax during study breaks or on weekends. Annual events like Carnival are also an unforgettable part of the student experience in Cologne.
- Multicultural and international student environment
- Vibrant campus life close to the city center
- Wide range of clubs and associations
- Social and recreational opportunities along the Rhine River
- Rich social life with traditional city events like Carnival
Frequently Asked Questions
If a law graduate's degree isn't recognized by Anabin, are they ineligible for a master's in Germany? What steps are needed to get equivalency? ▼
If your law degree isn't recognized by Anabin, you might face difficulties pursuing a master's directly in law in Germany. In this situation, you may need to take additional courses to complete missing credits or consider master's programs in a different, more general field (e.g., international relations, management). You can get the most accurate information from the university's international office or the Anabin database.
I have a master's degree from Turkey and want to pursue a bachelor's in Germany, but I was affected by an earthquake and can't access my high school diploma. How can I resolve this issue? ▼
In special situations like being an earthquake victim and unable to access your high school diploma, first try to obtain a certified copy of your diploma or an equivalent document from relevant institutions in your home country (e.g., Ministry of National Education, e-Devlet). If this isn't possible, it's recommended that you contact the international office of the university you wish to apply to, or the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), to explain your situation in detail and ask about alternative solutions.
Which master's programs can a mechanical engineering graduate pursue? Does it have to be mechanical engineering? ▼
No, it doesn't necessarily have to be mechanical engineering. Many universities in Germany offer interdisciplinary or different master's programs to graduates from related fields. Mechanical engineering graduates, for example, can pursue master's degrees in areas like materials science, energy engineering, industrial engineering, business engineering, robotics, or even certain computer science fields. The important thing is to review the admission requirements of the program you're applying for and ensure your previous education meets those criteria.
What are the requirements to study psychology in Germany? I have a two-year associate degree. What German language level is needed, and what are the conditions? ▼
For those with a two-year associate degree, direct admission to a bachelor's program in Germany is generally difficult. You're usually expected to either complete your bachelor's education in your home country or attend a Studienkolleg (university preparatory course) in Germany. For popular fields like psychology, German language proficiency is typically required at a C1 level (documented by exams like TestDaF, DSH). Requirements can vary by university, so you must check the admission conditions on your target university's website.
I'm a recent bachelor's graduate. When do applications for preparatory courses and German language courses start for 2024? I have no information about the process. ▼
Applications for university preparatory courses (Studienkolleg) and German language courses in Germany typically run from January-March for the summer semester and May-July for the winter semester. However, these dates can vary depending on the university and course provider. For general information about the process, you can visit the DAAD website, read the guides on our AlmanyaUni platform, and check the 'International Students' or 'Sprachkurse' sections on the official website of your target university or language school.
When the visa is issued, does iDATA notify you, or do you only receive notification that your passport has been dispatched? ▼
iDATA does not directly inform you about the outcome of your visa application. You typically receive an SMS or email indicating that your passport has been returned from the consulate to iDATA. You will see whether your visa has been approved or rejected when you receive your passport. Visa approval or rejection information is directly on your passport.
Can you recommend private dorms in Wuppertal, Cologne, Düsseldorf, and the surrounding areas? ▼
While private dormitory recommendations vary based on personal preferences and budget, the state-run dormitories operated by 'Studentenwerk' (student services organization) in these cities are the most economical options. For private dorms, you can check listings on websites like 'WG-Gesucht.de', 'ImmobilienScout24', or follow student groups on 'Facebook'. Additionally, branded private student dorms like 'YOUNIQ', 'BaseCamp', and 'The FIZZ' can be found in these cities, but they are generally more expensive.
To learn more about the Universität zu Köln or to ask your questions about your study in Germany journey, join our AlmanyaUni forums and interact with other students!
Universität zu Köln — Gallery
Programs
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Programs & Departments
31 active programs · 31 English · 0 NC-frei
Bachelor (4)
a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School for the Humanities Cologne
DE+ENBachelor
The a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School for the Humanities Cologne is the graduate school of the University of Cologne’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities. The Faculty of Arts and Humanities – one of the largest...
View details →Bachelor's in Management, Economics and Social Sciences (BSc)
ENBachelor's in Management, Economics and Social Sciences (Bachelor of Science)
View details →Bonn-Cologne Graduate School of Physics and Astronomy: PhD in Physics (Cologne)
ENBachelor
The Bonn-Cologne Graduate School of Physics and Astronomy is a joint programme of graduate studies between the Universities of Bonn and Cologne that was funded through the Excellence Initiative from 2...
View details →Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research
ENBachelor
Our aim is to train a new generation of biomedical scientists who can take on the diverse challenges of making fundamental scientific discoveries in the basic biology of ageing and translating them in...
View details →Master (23)
Bonn-Cologne Graduate School of Physics and Astronomy: MSc in Physics (Cologne)
ENMaster
The Bonn-Cologne Graduate School of Physics and Astronomy is a joint programme of graduate studies between the Universities of Bonn and Cologne that was funded through the Excellence Initiative from 2...
View details →Business Administration (Master of Science) – Major: Accounting & Taxation, Corporate Development, Finance, Marketing or Supply Chain Management
ENMaster
Being able to choose from five different specialisation fields, you will select one major and start the focus on that respective field from the beginning. The focus can be put on the following discipl...
View details →Chemistry
ENMaster
The four-semester Master's degree programme is research-oriented. It will provide students with a broad experimental as well as theoretical background in different chemical disciplines. With the Maste...
View details →Computational Sciences
ENMaster
The MSc Computational Sciences is an interdisciplinary programme offered by the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Its aim is to acquire computational methods to answer outstanding questions...
View details →Double Master's Programme in Business Administration – Master of Science
ENMaster
The double Master's programme in Business Administration gives you the opportunity to pursue two Master's degrees from two top-ranking universities. All programmes start at the University of Cologne,...
View details →Double Master's Programme in Demography and Social Inequality (Master of Science)
ENMaster
The double Master's programme, which is offered jointly by the University of Cologne and the University of Groningen, is an innovative and unique programme that will allow you to gain a comprehensive...
View details →Double Master's Programme in Economics
ENMaster
The Double Master's Programme in Economics gives you the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of two top universities. You will spend one year studying at each university and graduate with two Ma...
View details →Double Master's Programme in European Studies – Master of Arts
ENMaster
The double Master's programme in European Studies gives you the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of two top-ranking universities. You will spend one year studying at each university and gradu...
View details →Double Master's Programme in Health Economics and Management (Master of Science)
ENMaster
The double Master's programme in Health Economics and Management gives you the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of two top universities. You will be able to enjoy the advantages offered by th...
View details →Economic Research – Master of Science
ENMaster
The Graduate School of University of Cologne's Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Science (CGS) invites candidates to apply for its two-stage graduate programme in Economic Research! In a sm...
View details →Economics – Master of Science
ENMaster
The Master's in Economics at the University of Cologne offers a research-oriented study programme with courses from a wide range of economic areas. As a student, you are largely free to choose the sub...
View details →Genetics and Biology of Ageing and Regeneration
ENMaster
With demographic changes leading to a growing elderly population, there is a pressing need to address age-associated diseases. However, many causes and mechanisms of such diseases remain unclear today...
View details →Health Economics – Master of Science
DE+ENMaster
By incorporating the medical, management and system perspective into the programme structure, as a student, you will be prepared for a successful career in healthcare with an all-embracing understandi...
View details →Information Systems – Master of Science
DE+ENMaster
The programme is hosted by the Cologne Institute for Information Systems (CIIS). Members of the CIIS and the CIIS on an institutional level have achieved remarkable recognition in most recent ranking...
View details →International Management (CEMS MIM) – Master of Science
ENMaster
The University of Cologne's MSc International Management and CEMS Master's programme is designed to provide you with excellent academic and practical training in international management with an inter...
View details →Master of Arts in Digital and Computational Archaeology
ENMaster
Digital and Computational Archaeology is concerned with the development and application of digital technologies and computational methods in archaeology. The Master of Arts in Digital and Computationa...
View details →Master of Arts in North American Studies (NAS)
ENMaster
North American Studies (NAS) is a fully accredited, two-year, single-major Master's programme at the University of Cologne taught entirely in English. It focuses on the history, culture, art, literatu...
View details →Master of Arts in Social and Cultural Anthropology
ENMaster
Our Master’s programme in Social and Cultural Anthropology builds on foundational anthropological knowledge and provides specialised, research-oriented training in six key areas: Environmental Anthrop...
View details →Master of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine
ENMaster
The Master of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine is an advanced programme focused on basic research and its translation into biotechnology and biomedicine. We participate in collaborative...
View details →Master's in Business Analytics & Econometrics – Master of Science
ENMaster
Data analytics, digital innovation and big data are crucial developments for the upcoming challenges in all business and economic areas. This programme offers a unique blend of traditional analytics (...
View details →Master's in Sociology – Social and Economic Psychology (Master of Science)
ENMaster
The MSc Sociology – Social and Economic Psychology programme at the University of Cologne is unique in its interdisciplinary orientation and combination of different subjects. It is also characterised...
View details →Physics of the Earth and Atmosphere
ENMaster
The Master's programme in Physics of the Earth and Atmosphere addresses the application of physics to the system of Earth and to the system of the atmosphere, i.e. the classical topics of geophysics a...
View details →Sociology and Social Research – Master of Science
ENMaster
The University of Cologne's Master's in Sociology and Social Research programme combines advanced training in sociology and social research with the opportunity to take courses in business administrat...
View details →PhD (4)
a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School for the Humanities Cologne
DE+ENa.r.t.e.s. Graduate School for the Humanities Cologne
View details →Bachelor's in Management, Economics and Social Sciences (Bachelor of Science)
ENDoctorate
Driving Sustainable Change! This programme provides you with: strong insights in societal challenges, such as climate change, inequality and digital transformation management skills with a focus on so...
View details →Bonn-Cologne Graduate School: PhD in Physics (Cologne)
ENBonn-Cologne Graduate School of Physics and Astronomy: PhD in Physics (Cologne)
View details →Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research
ENCologne Graduate School of Ageing Research
View details →
Cologne
State: North Rhine-Westphalia
University Life and Study Opportunities in Cologne
Cologne stands as one of Germany's leading educational hubs, offering students a broad spectrum of academic opportunities. The city is home to 20 univ...
more →Life and Transportation in Cologne
Cologne is a lively and multifaceted city, spread across both banks of the Rhine River. Being the largest city in North Rhine-Westphalia means it's al...
more →Student Life and Culture
Cologne is one of Germany's most student-friendly cities. Thanks to its high concentration of universities, the city has a youthful and dynamic atmosp...
more →More about Cologne
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How do I apply to Universität zu Köln as an international student?
Non-EU applicants apply via uni-assist (document verification + APS certificate for some countries). EU applicants apply directly. You need a recognised degree, language certificate, motivation letter and CV. After admission, open a Sperrkonto and book a visa appointment at your local German embassy.
- Pick a programme — Browse the programme list above — filter by language, degree, field.
- Verify your eligibility — Check Anabin/APS for your country and degree-equivalence rules.
- Get language certificate — TestDaF/DSH for German, IELTS/TOEFL for English-taught programmes.
- Apply via uni-assist or directly — Submit by 15 July (winter) / 15 January (summer) deadlines.
- After admission: Sperrkonto + visa — Open the blocked account, get health insurance, attend embassy interview.