Choice of studying and application
Here you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions on the subject of "Taking up studies at the WiSo Faculty of the University of Cologne". We have also compiled some helpful links for you on the side.
Application and NC (numerus clausus)
1. My A-levels do not meet the NC from the last application procedure, does it still make sense to apply?
The Bachelor's degree programmes at the WiSo Faculty are all admission-restricted. 80% of the places are allocated via the University quota, 20% via the Baccalaureate quota (A-level's top quota). In addition, up to six waiting semesters can be taken into account. Explanations can be found at the Student Registration Office.There is no other possibility to be admitted to the first semester. Exceptions are only possible through special or hardship applications; further information can be found here. The NC values of the past years are not binding for future selection procedures, as the NC is always determined in the current procedure. However, it can be assumed that they will be roughly confirmed and will change only slightly. However, we generally recommend that you apply, as you will only receive binding feedback in the official application procedure.
2. 1. I am studying somewhere else for my Bachelor's degree and would like to change to the University of Cologne. What do I have to do?
You basically have two options if you would like to change to a Bachelor's degree programme and are already studying in a Bachelor's degree programme at another higher education institution:
(1) Application for the first semester. You can apply via hochschulstart.de and the University of Cologne's online portal KLIPS 2.0 (or uni-assist if you are a non-EU applicant). If you are admitted here, equivalent achievements that you have already completed elsewhere can be credited after enrolment. Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide information on the possible creditability of achievements before enrolment. We generally recommend applying for the 1st semester.
Please note that it will probably not be possible to apply for a higher semester in winter semester 2021/22 due to the new study structures (PO 2021). We therefore recommend applying for the first semester. If you have already completed exams elsewhere, you can check this after enrolment and have it subsequently transferred. Please note, however, that the courses offered in the new degree programmes will only be activated gradually and therefore not all courses in the higher semesters will be offered in winter semester 2021/22.
(2) Application for a higher subject semester (not for WiSe 2021/22). In this case, free places in the corresponding semester are allocated. If there are no places available in the semester, there is no chance of a study place in that semester. Which specific achievements will be credited to you will only be decided after enrolment.
If you are currently studying the same degree programme at a university in Germany, you are considered to be a transfer student when applying for a higher semester: In this case, first contact the WiSo Examination Office in writing with this completed form and a current certificate of study. If your change of location status is certified, you can apply for the higher semester with the certificate at the Students Registration Office.
If you are currently studying another degree programme or at a university of applied sciences or abroad, you are a lateral entrant when applying for the higher subject-related semester: In this case, it is assumed that credit points have already been acquired in order to be able to classify you in a higher subject-related semester. In order to be placed in the second semester, you must prove that you have earned at least 15 ECTS credits, the equivalent for the third semester is at least 45 ECTS credits, and so on. Since only equivalent achievements can be recognised and the structure of Bachelor's degree programmes varies greatly from university to university, a "loss" of individual achievements is to be expected.
In order to apply for a higher semester as a lateral entrant, you need this form and a semester classification from the WiSo Examination Office. You can find further information on this, including information on the subsequent crediting of examination achievements, here. On the basis of this semester classification, you can then apply for a higher semester via the Registrar's Office.
The binding application deadlines can be found on the website of the Student's Registration Office: usually 15 September for the winter semester, 15 March for the summer semester. In order to meet these deadlines, the application documents must reach the WiSo Examination Office by post at least eight weeks before the deadline. These are therefore 15.01. and 15.07. respectively.