University of Cologne

University of Cologne (UoC) was founded in the 12th Century, making it one of Germany’s – and the world’s – oldest educational institutions. It is also one of the largest research universities in Germany with nearly 50,000 students enrolled across six faculties.

Academic Highlights

UoC is renowned for economics, law and business studies but is also highly ranked for humanities, medicine, maths and natural sciences and human sciences. Alumni include four Nobel recipients, a German Federal president and several European Court judges.

Location

UoC is located on an urban campus in the heart of Cologne, a cosmopolitan city on the Rhine River in central Germany.

Did you know?

The Cologne Carnival is one of the largest in Europe and dedicates an entire week to hedonistic debauchery. It begins every year at exactly 11 minutes past 11:00 on November 11.

Note

• The listed disciplines are not necessarily exhaustive and other fields of study might also be available at the institution.
• Approval to study particular subjects at any institution is always at the discretion of the departmental/discipline and faculty advisers in your managing faculty(ies) and subject to available places at the host.

Accommodation

The University of Cologne does not have on-campus student accommodation.

UoC offers advice on accommodation for international students.

Visas

As a general rule, Australian citizens do not need a visa to enter Germany but after entering will have to apply for a residence permit at the local ‘Auslaenderbehörde’ (Immigration Office) if staying for more than three months. Your host university will assist you with this. Students from other countries may be required to apply for a visa for study purposes at the German Consulate-General in Melbourne.

For more information on visas for a student exchange, please refer to the Consulate General of Germany here.

UoC also provides some advice on immigration and residence.

Health and insurance

By law, all students must have sufficient health cover for their stay in Germany to become registered as a student at a German university and/or to apply for a student visa.  Thus, non-EU-students should be careful in selecting a health insurance plan as it has to satisfy the very strict requirements of the university and the immigration office.

UoC provides further information on obtaining health insurance.

When travelling on a Monash Abroad approved program, you are automatically covered under the Monash University Student Travel Insurance policy.  This will provide cover to and from your exchange.

Orientation and extra-curricular 

University of Cologne offers a welcome session prior to the semester commencing, WiSe, which students are expected to attend. German courses are available in the pre-semester before the term officially starts. Find out more here.

Cost of living

UoC provides some guidance on the Costs of Living in Cologne.

UoC requires all students to pay a social contribution fee of around 335.65 EUR per semester. This fee also includes a ticket for public transportation (buses & rail) in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Funding

Water Mangold Trust Fund Scholarship

Students taking German language courses may be eligible for the Walter Mangold Study Abroad Scholarship.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

The DAAD offers various scholarships to Australian students, there may be scholarships available to exchange students and are subject to change. Find out more here.

For information about funding available to support study on exchange overseas, see the Financial Information page on the Monash Abroad website.