Highlights
- Intakes: University of Cologne offers admission in Winter and Summer, starting in January and April respectively.
- Acceptance Rate: Admission is quite competitive, with an acceptance rate of 20%.
- Tuition Fee: The public university charges no tuition fee from students. You only need to pay a semester fee of 500 EUR (44,874 INR) per year.
- Top Employers: Some top graduate employers in Cologne are, Lufthansa, Ford, AXA Insurance, Zurich Financial Services, DKV, Generali Deutschland, and Gothaer.
The University of Cologne is one of the oldest public research universities in Germany, established in 1388. The university is globally renowned for its diverse range of degree courses and exceptional scientific achievements. It is one of the largest universities in Germany with more than 50,000 enrolled students, including over 5,000 international students.
University of Cologne has several large, internationally renowned research units. It is an ideal place for students looking to perform groundbreaking research in a wide range of areas. It is one of the best places in Germany to get a master’s degree and build up a scientific network.
The university charges no tuition fees from international students. Instead, students need to pay the social contribution fee of 500 EUR (44,874 INR) per year. Besides, you will get high quality education but at a cheaper living cost as compared to other German cities like Munich, or Berlin.
Like most of the German universities, Cologne has also switched their application process via Uni-Assist portal. Admission to University of Cologne is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of only 20%. Indian students mandatorily require the following proficiency in German language, for admission to the university:
- TestDaF TDN 4 in all examination parts
- DSH 2
University of Cologne Rankings
University of Cologne has experienced slight ups and downs in its rankings in 2024-25. The university ranks at 285th in QS World University Rankings, 2025. The university has achieved 38th rank in QS Europe University Rankings - Western Europe, 2024.
Medicine, Economics, Astrophysics, and Law, are some top-ranked programs of the university. The university ranks at #143 in the world for its Medicine programs according to QS. It also ranks at #201-250 in the world for Physics and Astronomy by QS. Check out the ranking trends of the university according to some reputed agencies:
| Ranking Agency | 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank | 2023 Rank | 2022 Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings | #=285 | #=268 | #=335 | #=311 |
| THE World University Rankings | - | #160 | #146 | #172 |
| U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities | - | - | #244 | #230 |
| CWUR | - | #185 | #186 | #184 |
University of Cologne Campus
Cologne is the 4th largest city in Germany with over 1.1 million inhabitants. University of Cologne campus is closely located near the Rhine river. The university also has an officially registered regional office in New Delhi, India. This office is the first point of contact for faculty and students in India, South Asia and South East Asia.
University of Cologne Student Life
Some facilities that you can explore in University of Cologne campus are:
- A booming city with diverse trends in music, culture, partying, sports and media
- You can also explore renowned museums, theaters, international art exhibition, musicals and concerts by famous artists
- Cultural and sporting events by The Department of International Affairs:
- Four-day semester trip
- A city tour
- Excursions into the surroundings
- Ice-skating
- Rafting
- Libraries
- Campus radio in German
Note: As a student, you can take part in an honorary position at a non-profit, unpaid and voluntary activity. Your voluntary work can be very helpful while applying for any scholarship.
University of Cologne Courses
University of Cologne offers 217 postgraduate programs and 159 undergraduate programs through 6 faculties. The university is globally recognized for its courses in Astrophysics. It focuses on theoretical and computational astrophysics. Some other popular disciplines in the university are, Business, Economics, Law, and, Medicine.
Ranking of college do not decide the worth or popularity in Germany, unlike the Indian universities. Students choose the courses prior to choosing universities in Germany. Although University of Cologne offers a wide range of courses, some top programs are as follows:
University of Cologne Admissions
University of Cologne offers admission in Summer and Winter Semesters. The university offers all the 376 courses in Winter and 210 courses in Summer semester. The application period generally lasts only 2 months or at least 1 month. As an Indian applicant, you should try to apply at the earliest to make your chance of selection the highest.
It is recommended to find fellow applicants from India and try to contact with seniors to stay updated about the application process. You can also ask seniors about the study programs and future prospects. If you face any trouble while applying, you can contact the admissions office via email and clear the doubts. The university staffs are known for being very polite and mostly replies within few hours or 1-2 days. The details about admission to University of Cologne in postgraduate and undergraduate levels are as follows:
University of Cologne PG Admission Requirements
For admission to the masters programs in the university, international students require a preliminary review documentation (VPD). The processing time is approximately 4-6 weeks. You can request for the VPD via the Uni Assist online portal. Students only need to submit the required documents through this online portal. The PG admission requirements for international students are as follows:
| Category | PG Admission Requirements |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | No application fee |
| Academic Requirement | School leaving certificate/proof of passing a university entrance exam | Degree certificate (if already available), otherwise, a preliminary degree overview |
| Score/Aggregate | Overview of subjects and grades (transcript of records) | University grading system |
| Document Evaluation/ Translation | Officially certified translation if original documents were not issued in English or German Language | Current APS certificate |
University of Cologne UG Admission Requirements
International students require a formal university entrance qualification to German universities for admission to the undergraduate programs. Students should prove very good German language proficiency to get into the undergraduate courses. Details of the undergraduate admission requirements at the university are as follows:
| Category | UG Admission Requirements |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | No application fee |
| Academic Requirement | University Entrance Qualification or secondary school-leaving certificate (If it is equivalent) |
| German Language Proficiency | TestDaF TDN 4 in all examination parts | DSH 2 |
| Document Evaluation/ Translation | Special application requirements |
For sending application documents via courier, you can save upto 1000 INR by using India Post, instead of DHL or Bluedart. Although it takes only 200 INR, but the delivery time is around 15 days.
University of Cologne Cost
The University of Cologne is a German public university and does not charge any tuition fees from students. However, all students should pay the social contribution fee of 250 EUR (22,433 INR) per semester or 500 EUR (44,874 INR) per year. The social contribution fee includes a public transit pass for Buses, and, trains in North Rhine.
The average cost of living in Cologne is 986 EUR (88,438 INR) per month. A breakdown of the cost of living in Germany for University of Cologne students is provided below:
University of Cologne Scholarships
The University of Cologne has a scholarship program for both German and international students. These academic merit based awards are of 3 types, all paying 300 EUR (26,910 INR) per month.
Many international students depend on a job/ a scholarship/ a loan to finance their studies in Cologne. The university can assist you in getting externally-funded scholarships in Germany.
Remember, you can only avail partial scholarships in Cologne. Full-ride scholarships are awarded in exceptional cases. Scholarships are mostly awarded to advanced students pursuing Master and PhD programs. Freshmen students have relatively little chance of getting a scholarship.
University of Cologne Student Loans
- Student loans at Cologne are an alternative to the scholarships.
- Sometimes, these loans are also available to cover living expenses during your studies.
- The university recommends students to seek expert advice before taking out a student loan.
- You can also get short term loans and assistance funds from the Social Counselling Service of the Kölner Studierendenwerk (KSTW), in case of a financial emergency.
University of Cologne Student Assistants (SHK)
As an enrolled student without a first professional degree, you can get employment as student assistant (SHK). The maximum period of working is 6 years, with monthly working time up to 82 hours. An SHK receives 13.25 EUR (1,187 INR) gross per hour since April 1, 2024 as remuneration. From April 1, 2025, the remuneration will increase to 13.98 EUR (1,253 INR) per hour.
University of Cologne offers part-time teaching assistant roles, generally limited to 6 months. Women are encouraged to apply for these roles and are considered preferentially as a commitment to equal opportunities and diversity. The remuneration is in accordance with the university's internal guideline.
University of Cologne Placements
Cologne, is a major economic hub in Germany. The city is home to a diverse range of industries like media, chemical, automotive, and financial services among others. The city is known for having a strong job market compared to many other cities in Germany. However, it is not easy for Indians or any other foreigners to find a job in Germany. Indian students should be careful about the alluring fake job openings available on the online job portals.
Graduates of the university are employed in some top companies like:
- Lufthansa
- Ford
- DKV
- Gothaer
- Generali Deutschland, and,
- Zurich Financial Services
The average mid-career salary of University of Cologne students according to chosen programs are as follows:
University of Cologne Alumni
The University of Cologne reportedly has over 90,000 alumni. It is currently one of the largest German universities, with more than 50,000 students. As an alumnus of University of Cologne, you can benefit from a wide and advantageous network and exclusive offers. You can also be a member of Albert’s Global Researcher Network, availing scholarships, network events, and selected information. Students, alumni, staff members and friends of UoC can, be a member of KölnAlumni network to be a part of several events, networking opportunities, and vibrant connections.
University of Cologne Notable Alumni
| Alumni Name | Work | Achievements/ Designation |
|---|---|---|
| Heinrich Böll | German writer | Received Georg Büchner Prize and the Nobel Prize for Literature |
| Gerhart Baum | German politician | Former Federal Minister of the Interior and Community of Germany |
| Wolfgang Bosbach | German politician | Former Member of the German Bundestag |
| Dr. Mark Benecke | German biologist | Known for his work on identification of Adolf and Eva Hitler's skull and teeth in Moscow |
| Oliver Bäte | German business executive | CEO of Allianz |
University of Cologne closely cooperates with Cologne University Hospital. The university also works with other research institutions of the Max Planck Society and the Helmholtz Association in the Cologne metropolitan area. It is one of the largest and oldest universities in the world, offering a diverse range of top-ranked courses in Germany. The university is an ideal place for students interested in deep research with modern equipments at a booming city.
FAQs
Ques. Is University of Cologne tuition free expensive?
Ans. No. University of Cologne is a German public university, and hence, charges no tuition fees from its students. However, you should pay the social contribution fee of 250 EUR (22,433 INR) per semester or 500 EUR (44,874 INR) per year.
Ques. Is it tough to get into University of Cologne?
Ans. Yes, admission to University of Cologne is highly competitive. The university has an acceptance rate of only 20%, resulting in a tough competition for entry. Indian students should have academic excellence as well as excellent German language skills for entry to the university.
Ques. What is the world rank of University of Cologne?
Ans. University of Cologne is globally ranked at #=285 in QS World University Rankings, 2025. The university has been placed at #=160 in the world by THE World University Rankings, 2024. U.S. News and World Report has ranked the university at the 244th position in the world.
Ques. Is it easy to find a job after studying in University of Cologne?
Ans. No. Finding a job in Cologne as a foreigner is quite difficult. However, it is possible to secure a decent job in Germany if you have good German language skills along with your academic achievements. Furthermore, you must have a strong CV and motivation letter to enhance your chances of securing a job.
Ques. How much can University of Cologne graduates earn?
Ans. University of Cologne graduates reportedly earn an average salary of up to 215,000 EUR (1.92 crore INR) per year at various points of their career. The average mid-career salary of University of Cologne graduates according to their degrees are as follows:
| Degree | Average Annual Salary of Graduates (EUR) | Equivalent Salary for Indians (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science | 215,000 | 1.92 crore |
| MBA | 160,000 | 1.43 crore |
| Masters in Finance | 151,000 | 1.35 crore |
| PhD | 121,000 | 1.08 crore |
| Masters | 99,000 | 88.71 crore |
University of Cologne Program Fees & Deadlines
| Program | Important Dates | Fees | Exams Score | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
E.M.B.A 2 years | Application Deadline For Winter 2024 Intake (15th Jul 2024) Application Deadline For Summer 2025 Intake (15th Jan 2025) Application Deadline For Winter 2025 Intake (15th Jul 2025) | USD 64,260 /Yr EUR 59,500 /Yr |
|
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University of Cologne Reviews
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1 Reviews Found
Overview:
My university has one of the most renowned programs in anthropology and ethnography. It enrolls more than 5000 international students annually. It boasts of an intercultural environment that I found attractive. Enrolling in my particular programs is based on good references and above-average grades in your previous educational qualification. I did not pay any application fee and it was the only university I applied to in Germany. After enrolment, I was informed that I was selected on the basis that there was a project that was being started in the area studies program that I was well experienced in.
Fees:
$270 per semester as a social fee. this fee includes public transport ticket for the whole semester. International students do not get loans under normal circumstances. I was awarded the DAAD scholarship for international students which is about $1080 including a family allowance. Selection is based on how relevant your studies are to what the scholarship wanted and it was also based on my academic grades.
University of Cologne Scholarships
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Council IELTS Award 2023 | Scholarship per student$13,047 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Kurt Hansen Science Scholarship | Scholarship per student$10,000 | Level Of StudyDoctorate | TypeNeed-Based | |
| Kaad Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyDoctorate | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Bharat Petroleum Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Google's Women Techmakers Program | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Bhajan Lal Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyDoctorate | TypeMerit-Based |
University of Cologne Admissions
Application Portal: https://my.uni-assist.de/
University of Cologne Exam Scores
| Exams | Avg. Score | Min Score | Max. Score | %Submitted' |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate | ||||
| GRE | 310.8 | - | - | - |
Attendance Cost
The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees
Faculty
| Total Faculty | Full Time | Part Time | Graduate Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5827 | - | - | - |
University of Cologne Campus Location
Nearby This Campus
- Hospital
- Airport
- Pharmacy
- Book Store
- Shopping Mall
- Train Station
Hospital
Pharmacy
Shopping Mall
Airport
Book Store
Train Station
● All distance are measured radially. Actual distance may vary
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Comments
38 Comments
The application deadline for the winter semester is 15th July and the application deadline for the summer semester is 15th January
Hello, please note that Collegedunia is an informational platform and not an institution. You can refer to our Admission page to check how applications are made.
Different programs have different application deadlines and processing times. However, It can take anywhere from 3 to 4 weeks after submitting a complete application to receive the admission decision.