About the university
TH Köln was founded in 1971 as Cologne University of Applied Sciences and took its present name, TH Köln (Technology, Arts, Sciences), in 2015. It has about 21,000 students from 120 countries, 12 faculties and campuses in Cologne, Gummersbach and Leverkusen. It describes itself as the largest university of applied sciences in Germany.
As a public university of applied sciences, TH Köln charges no tuition for most programmes, only a semester contribution of about €353. Its English-taught programmes cover renewable energy, water and natural resources management, international business, and game design through the Cologne Game Lab.
Indian students mostly look at the MSc Renewable Energy Management, Integrated Water Resources Management, and the MA International Business and Global Transformation. Note that most English-taught master's start in the winter semester only.
TH Köln's own cost sheet for Cologne puts student hall rooms at €280–€480 a month and recommends budgeting at least €992 a month.
- Founded
- 1971, as Cologne University of Applied Sciences; renamed TH Köln in 2015
- Type
- Public university of applied sciences
- Students
- About 21,000 from 120 countries
- Faculties and programmes
- 12 faculties; 43 bachelor's and more than 50 master's programmes
- Campuses
- Cologne, Gummersbach and Leverkusen
- Professors
- 440 professors and about 1,600 staff
- Tuition
- None for most programmes; semester contribution about €353
Rankings
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
MSc Renewable Energy Management
- Fee / year
- €706
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter semester only); deadlines differ for self-funded and DAAD EPOS applicants
- English
- English at B2: IELTS Academic 6.0, TOEFL iBT 79 (pre-2026 scale) or Cambridge B2 First
- Postgraduate
MSc Integrated Water Resources Management
- Fee / year
- €706
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter semester only)
- English
- English at B2: IELTS Academic 6.0, TOEFL iBT 79 (pre-2026 scale) or Cambridge B2 First
- Postgraduate
MA International Business and Global Transformation
- Fee / year
- €706
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter semester)
- English
- English at B2, e.g. IELTS Academic 6.0
- Postgraduate
MSc Natural Resources Management and Development
- Fee / year
- €706
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter semester only)
- English
- English at B2: IELTS Academic 6.0, TOEFL iBT 79 (pre-2026 scale) or Cambridge B2 First
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- €706
- Duration
- 3 years (6 semesters), optional 7th semester of practical training abroad
- Intakes
- October (winter semester); non-EU applicants apply early April–15 June
- English
- English B2 (IELTS Academic 6.0, PTE Academic 66 or TOEFL iBT 80); German B1 certificate also required
- Postgraduate
MA Game Development and Research
- Fee / year
- €5,000
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter semester)
- English
- English at B2: TOEFL iBT 72 (pre-2026 scale) or Cambridge B2 First; 12 months' relevant work experience and a portfolio also needed
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €706
- Duration
- 1.5 years (3 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter semester); applications open in March
- English
- English at B2, checked by placement test or interview
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- €706
- Duration
- 3.5 years (7 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter semester); apply 1–31 March
- English
- Taught in English; proficiency checked by test or interview, no fixed score
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Renewable Energy Management | 2 years (4 semesters) | €706 | ≈ ₹74,836 |
| MSc Integrated Water Resources Management | 2 years (4 semesters) | €706 | ≈ ₹74,836 |
| MA International Business and Global Transformation | 2 years (4 semesters) | €706 | ≈ ₹74,836 |
| MSc Natural Resources Management and Development | 2 years (4 semesters) | €706 | ≈ ₹74,836 |
| BSc International Business | 3 years (6 semesters), optional 7th semester of practical training abroad | €706 | ≈ ₹74,836 |
| MA Game Development and Research | 2 years (4 semesters) | €5,000 | ≈ ₹5.3 lakh |
| MA Digital Games | 1.5 years (3 semesters) | €706 | ≈ ₹74,836 |
| BA Digital Games | 3.5 years (7 semesters) | €706 | ≈ ₹74,836 |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at TH Köln with similar universities in Germany.
Scholarships
- Master's (selected programmes such as Renewable Energy Management, IWRM and NRM)
DAAD EPOS scholarships (development-related postgraduate courses)
Value: Set by DAAD; see the DAAD scholarship database
Eligibility: These programmes have a separate application route and deadline for DAAD EPOS scholarship applicants; check eligibility for Indian applicants in the DAAD database.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- A higher education entrance qualification recognised in Germany; check whether your Class 12 qualifies for direct entry.
- BSc International Business is taught in English but also needs German at B1; non-EU applicants apply between early April and 15 June.
- BA Digital Games needs practical media skills and Cologne Game Lab's own application procedure (1–31 March).
Postgraduate
- A relevant bachelor's degree; each programme's 'How to apply' page sets the subject and grade rules.
- MA Digital Games normally expects a 210-ECTS bachelor's; holders of 180-ECTS degrees may have to make up credits.
- Most English-taught master's start in October only, and some have separate deadlines for self-funded and DAAD EPOS applicants.
- Indian applicants need an APS certificate for the student visa.
Documents
- Bachelor's degree certificate and transcript
- Class 12 certificate
- Proof of English at B2 (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Cambridge)
- Portfolio and proof of work experience (Game Development and Research)
- APS certificate
- Valid passport
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 for most English-taught programmes |
| TOEFL iBT | 79–80 on the pre-2026 scale (72 for Game Development and Research) |
| PTE Academic | 66 for BSc International Business |
| Cambridge | B2 First accepted |
| German | Not needed for most English-taught master's; B1 needed for BSc International Business |
Accommodation and living costs
TH Köln's living-costs sheet for Cologne (February 2025) lists student hall rooms and private rents. City-centre rooms cost much more than student halls, so start looking early; the sheet recommends budgeting at least €992 a month.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Student hall roomTH Köln cost sheet, 2025 | €280–480per month | ≈ ₹29,680 – ₹50,880 |
| Shared-flat room, outskirtsIncluding utilities | €350–550per month | ≈ ₹37,100 – ₹58,300 |
| Shared-flat room, city centreIncluding utilities | €450–700per month | ≈ ₹47,700 – ₹74,200 |
| Recommended minimum budgetIncluding health insurance | €992per month | ≈ ₹1.1 lakh |
Campus and location
TH Köln teaches on campuses in Cologne, Gummersbach and Leverkusen, with 12 faculties covering engineering, computing, business, design, media and social sciences.
- Cologne Game Lab runs the English-taught games programmes.
- Member of the UAS7 alliance of German universities of applied sciences and the European University Association.
- 350 partner universities abroad.
- Free German courses at the Language Learning Center for students on English-taught programmes.
- Semester contribution includes a Germany-wide public transport ticket.
Careers and graduate outcomes
TH Köln's applied, practice-focused programmes lead into energy, water, business and creative industries. The figures below are general German rules, not a promise of a job.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Job-search permit after graduating | Up to 18 months | Make it in Germany |
| Work allowed while studying | 140 full days or 280 half days a year | Make it in Germany |
Studying in Germany
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Germany. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in Germany
- Public
Often chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Data Science & AI
- Public
Often chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT
Photo: juhotski, CC BY-SA 3.0 PublicOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Life Sciences
Photo: TU Berlin/Pressestelle/Ulrich Dahl, Copyrighted free use PublicOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Business & Management
Photo: Seeott, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich) (official website, opens in a new tab)
Munich, GermanyOften chosen for Life Sciences, Medicine & Health Sciences, Law
Photo: Hermann Luyken, CC0 PublicHeidelberg University (official website, opens in a new tab)
Heidelberg, GermanyOften chosen for Medicine & Health Sciences, Life Sciences
FAQs
Does TH Köln charge tuition fees?
Not for most programmes. You pay a semester contribution of about €353, which includes a Germany-wide transport ticket. MA Game Development and Research is an exception at €2,500 a semester for non-EU students.
When do TH Köln's English-taught master's start?
Most start in October (winter semester) only. Check each programme's 'How to apply' page once deadlines are published.
What IELTS score do I need?
Most English-taught programmes ask for B2, for example IELTS Academic 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 79.
Do I need German?
Not for most English-taught master's. BSc International Business asks for German at B1.
Can I work while I study?
Yes, within German student work rules. See our Germany guide for the current limits and the job-search permit after graduation.
Sources
- TH Köln: profile (opens in a new tab)
- TH Köln: history (opens in a new tab)
- TH Köln: average living costs for Cologne students (2025) (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD International Programmes: Renewable Energy Management (TH Köln) (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD International Programmes: Integrated Water Resources Management (TH Köln) (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD International Programmes: International Business and Global Transformation (TH Köln) (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD International Programmes: International Business BSc (TH Köln) (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD International Programmes: Natural Resources Management and Development (TH Köln) (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD International Programmes: Game Development and Research (TH Köln) (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD International Programmes: Digital Games MA (TH Köln) (opens in a new tab)
- German Missions in India: student visa documents (APS certificate) (opens in a new tab)
- Make it in Germany: working while studying (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.th-koeln.de (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details