University of Cologne

Key facts

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.

About the University of Cologne

The University of Cologne was founded in 1388. It was abolished in 1798 by the French First Republic and re-established in 1919.^[8] It has six faculties: Management, Economics and Social Sciences; Law; Medicine; Arts and Humanities; Mathematics and Natural Sciences; and Human Sciences.^[8]

The university’s “at a glance” page lists 612 professors, 5,035 academic staff and 3,453 technical and administrative staff for 2024 (the staff figures include the Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne).^[9] The page gives no international student share, so we do not state one.^[9]

How is the University of Cologne ranked?

In the QS World University Rankings 2027 the University of Cologne is 269th in the world and 17th in Germany, according to the website of its Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences. The faculty notes that the analysis uses data from 2020 to 2025.^[2]

The university says it was awarded “University of Excellence” status in the Excellence Strategy in 2026. Its first funding period runs from 2027 to 2033, and under the current rules the status is awarded in principle permanently with an evaluation every seven years.^[3] It holds five Clusters of Excellence: CECAD (ageing research), CEPLAS (plant sciences), DYNAVERSE (astrophysics), ECONtribute (economics) and ML4Q (quantum physics).^[3] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.

What can you study at the University of Cologne?

The university offered 208 degree programmes in winter semester 2025/26.^[1] Its own description of its profile is a comprehensive university with some specialised subjects offered only in Cologne.^[10] The programme finder lists all degrees from A to Z.^[1]

The teaching language of all bachelor’s programmes is German.^[6] For master’s programmes, the master’s application page says that programmes taught only in English have no formal German requirement; each programme page states its own English rules.^[11]

How much does the University of Cologne cost?

The University of Cologne “does not charge any tuition fees.” Every enrolled student pays a semester contribution that is recalculated each semester and covers the Kölner Studierendenwerk (student services), the student body (AStA), university sport and the public transport semester ticket.^[4]

The amount comes from the Student Application and Registration Office payment page (updated 19 October 2026).^[5] The university’s costs page does not give a breakdown of the contribution.^[4]

Living costs

The university estimates about €1,200 a month: rent including extra charges €600, food €200, health insurance and medical fees €150, leisure, culture and sport €71, clothes €47, the social contribution €60, phone and internet €33 and learning material €20.^[4] For visa and housing rules, see our Germany guide and the Study in Germany guide.

How do you apply to the University of Cologne?

The route depends on the level.

• Bachelor’s (non-EU citizens with a formal university entrance qualification): applications go through the uni-assist online portal, paperless. You need a valid TestAS certificate (the core test plus the module for your faculty), a CV in German, proof of German at least at DSH-2 level, your school-leaving certificate and a passport copy. After review, uni-assist forwards the file and you receive a login for KLIPS 2.0, the university’s campus portal, to follow your status.^[6] Some faculties set minimum percentile ranks in the TestAS, and meeting them does not guarantee a place.^[6]
• Master’s (with a foreign bachelor’s degree): a two-stage process. First you obtain a preliminary review documentation (VPD) from uni-assist, which takes about 4 to 8 weeks. Then you apply through KLIPS 2.0; the page says an application is only possible with a valid VPD. Further documents depend on the programme.^[11]

EU/EEA applicants and applicants with a German entrance qualification follow a different procedure. The International Office runs advising sessions for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral applicants and tells you which route applies.^[12] We give no deadlines because they change every year and differ by programme; check the page of your programme.

Which language level do you need?

Bachelor’s programmes are taught in German, so you must show very good German. Accepted certificates for the non-EU bachelor’s route are TestDaF (level 4 in all parts), DSH-2 (only from institutions with registered examination regulations), Deutsches Sprachdiplom II, telc C1 Hochschule or telc C2, Goethe-Institut C1, ÖSD C2 and the German section of the Feststellungsprüfung (FSP).^[6]

For every master’s programme taught in German you must show excellent German. The master’s page accepts TestDaF (level 4 in all parts), DSH-2 (with conditions), DSD II, telc C1 Hochschule and C2, Goethe-Institut C1, ÖSD C2 and the FSP German section.^[11] For programmes taught only in English there are no formal German requirements; the page lists no English test scores, so check the programme page.^[11] B2 and C1 refer to the European scale from A1 to C2.

More about studying in Germany

• Germany: best universities
• Study in Germany: complete guide
• Cost of Studying Abroad
• International Student Scholarships
• University Ranking Methodology

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