About the university
The University of Cologne was founded in 1388, making it one of Europe's oldest universities. It closed under French rule in 1798 and reopened in 1919. Today it is one of Germany's largest universities, with six faculties covering business and economics, law, medicine, humanities, natural sciences and human sciences.
For Indian students, the best-known part is the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences (WiSo). Most of its master's can be studied entirely in English, including Business Administration, Business Analytics & Econometrics, Economics and the CEMS Master's in International Management. The Department of Biology also runs five research-focused master's taught in English.
There is no tuition fee, only a semester fee that includes a Germany-wide transport ticket. Admission to WiSo master's is competitive, and applicants with a non-German bachelor's must first get a preliminary review (VPD) from uni-assist.
Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city, on the Rhine, with a big media, insurance and trade-fair economy. Living costs are higher than in smaller German cities; the university estimates about €1,200 a month.
- Founded
- 1388; closed in 1798 and re-founded in 1919
- Type
- Public research university with six faculties
- Students
- 26,953 in THE World University Rankings 2027 data
- International students
- 18% (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 22.4 to 1 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Tuition
- No tuition fee; semester fee about €356
- Intakes
- Master's start in October (winter semester)
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
269 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
=163rd in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
MSc Business Analytics & Econometrics
- Fee / year
- €711
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- October (winter); apply 15 April–15 June
- English
- Taught in English; proof of English required (see the admission rules)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €711
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- October (winter); apply mid-April–15 June
- English
- Taught in English; proof of English required (see the admission rules)
- Postgraduate
Master International Management (CEMS MIM)
- Fee / year
- €711
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- October (winter); apply 15 January–31 March
- English
- English at C1, plus a second CEMS language at B1
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €711
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- October (winter); apply 15 April–15 June
- English
- Taught in English; proof of English required (see the admission rules)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €711
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- October (winter); apply 15 January–31 March
- English
- Taught in English; proof of English required (see the admission rules)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €711
- Duration
- 2 years (full time)
- Intakes
- October (winter); apply 1 June–15 July
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each part); TOEFL iBT 93; Cambridge B2 First (175)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €711
- Duration
- 2 years (full time)
- Intakes
- October (winter); apply 1 June–15 July
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each part); TOEFL iBT 93; Cambridge B2 First (175)
- Postgraduate
MSc Genetics and Biology of Aging and Regeneration
- Fee / year
- €711
- Duration
- 2 years (full time)
- Intakes
- October (winter); apply 1 June–15 July
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each part); TOEFL iBT 93; Cambridge B2 First (175)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Business Analytics & Econometrics | 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS) | €711 | ≈ ₹75,366 |
| MSc Business Administration (majors: Finance, Marketing, Corporate Development, Supply Chain Management, Accounting & Taxation) | 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS) | €711 | ≈ ₹75,366 |
| Master International Management (CEMS MIM) | 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS) | €711 | ≈ ₹75,366 |
| MSc Economics | 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS) | €711 | ≈ ₹75,366 |
| MSc Economic Research | 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS) | €711 | ≈ ₹75,366 |
| MSc Computational Biology | 2 years (full time) | €711 | ≈ ₹75,366 |
| MSc Neuroscience | 2 years (full time) | €711 | ≈ ₹75,366 |
| MSc Genetics and Biology of Aging and Regeneration | 2 years (full time) | €711 | ≈ ₹75,366 |
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 University of Cologne with similar universities in Germany.
Scholarships
- Enrolled students; mostly master's and PhD
University of Cologne scholarship programmes (Deutschlandstipendium, social and inclusion scholarships)
Value: Generally €300 a month
Eligibility: Awarded through annual calls. The Deutschlandstipendium rewards high achievement; the social and inclusion scholarships consider social need or disability. Beginners rarely receive scholarships.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Master's and PhD
DAAD scholarships
Value: Depends on the programme
Eligibility: Search the DAAD database by country and subject; the university links to it from its financing page.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Bachelor's programmes are mostly taught in German, so check the German level each programme asks for.
- Check whether your Indian Class 12 certificate gives direct entry or whether you need extra study first; the university's international pages explain the routes.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree in a related subject; WiSo programmes look for strong maths and statistics for analytics and economics.
- With a bachelor's from outside Germany, first request a preliminary review documentation (VPD) from uni-assist for Cologne. It takes up to eight weeks, so apply early.
- Then apply online through the KLIPS 2.0 portal. WiSo deadlines are mostly 15 April–15 June; CEMS MIM and Economic Research run 15 January–31 March; biology runs 1 June–15 July.
- All WiSo and biology master's start in the winter semester.
Documents
- Valid passport
- VPD from uni-assist (for a bachelor's from outside Germany)
- Bachelor's degree certificate and transcripts
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- English test score or proof of English-taught study, as the programme asks
- CV and any programme-specific items (motivation letter, references)
- APS certificate, which Indian students need for the German student visa
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 (biology MSc) | 6.5 overall, at least 6.0 in each part |
| TOEFL iBT (biology MSc) | 93 |
| Cambridge English (biology MSc) | B2 First with a score of 175 |
| CEMS MIM | C1 in English when you apply, plus B1 in a second CEMS language |
| Waiver | Biology accepts completion of a high school or bachelor's programme taught in English as proof |
Accommodation and living costs
Cologne is a tight housing market. The Kölner Studierendenwerk (KSTW) runs more than 90 residences with about 5,000 rooms, but places are limited, so apply 3–6 months before you move, even before you are admitted. The university warns never to pay rent or agency fees from abroad in advance.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| KSTW student residenceRoom or apartment | €190–500per month | ≈ ₹20,140 – ₹53,000 |
| Private student residenceFurnished | €400–800per month | ≈ ₹42,400 – ₹84,800 |
| Room in a shared flat (WG) | €450–750per month | ≈ ₹47,700 – ₹79,500 |
| Private apartmentFrom about this; often higher | €650–700per month | ≈ ₹68,900 – ₹74,200 |
| Living costs (university estimate)Includes about €600 rent | €1,200per month | ≈ ₹1.3 lakh |
Campus and location
The main campus is in central Cologne near the Rhine, around the main building and the inner green belt, with science and medical buildings close by.
- Six faculties on a largely city-centre campus, reachable by tram and bus.
- The semester fee includes the Deutschlandsemesterticket for local and regional public transport across Germany.
- The university runs a Housing portal International for enrolled students.
- Cologne is a large, international city with a strong media, trade-fair and insurance economy.
Careers and graduate outcomes
WiSo graduates go into consulting, finance, analytics and industry across the Rhineland, and the CEMS MIM adds an international business network. German language skills widen your options a lot. See our Germany guide for work rules while studying and after graduation.
| 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 |
| International students at Cologne | 18% | Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 |
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 the University of Cologne charge tuition fees?
No. You pay a semester fee of about €356, which includes a Germany-wide transport ticket.
Which business and analytics master's are taught in English?
Business Administration, Business Analytics & Econometrics, Economics, Economic Research and CEMS MIM can be studied in English. Information Systems asks for German at C1.
What is the VPD and do I need it?
It is a preliminary review of a foreign bachelor's by uni-assist. You need one issued for Cologne before applying for a master's; allow up to eight weeks.
When are the deadlines?
Most WiSo master's: 15 April–15 June. CEMS MIM and Economic Research: 15 January–31 March. Biology: 1 June–15 July. All start in October.
How much should I budget per month?
The university estimates about €1,200 a month, including about €600 for rent.
Sources
- University of Cologne: costs and financing (opens in a new tab)
- University of Cologne: accommodation for international students (opens in a new tab)
- University of Cologne: scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- AStA University of Cologne: semester fee (opens in a new tab)
- WiSo Faculty: master's programmes (opens in a new tab)
- WiSo Faculty: FAQ (uni-assist VPD) (opens in a new tab)
- WiSo Faculty: Master Business Analytics & Econometrics (opens in a new tab)
- Department of Biology: MSc programmes (opens in a new tab)
- Department of Biology: how to apply (opens in a new tab)
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027: University of Cologne (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings 2027: University of Cologne (opens in a new tab)
- Make it in Germany (Federal Government): studying in Germany (opens in a new tab)
Official website: uni-koeln.de (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details