The University of Cologne is a university in Cologne, Germany. It was established in the year 1388 and is one of the most prestigious and research intensive universities in Germany. It was the sixth university to be established in Central Europe. It closed in 1798 before being re-established in 1919. The University of Cologne is one of the oldest and largest universities in Europe. Due to its outstanding scientific achievements and the high quality and diversity of its degree programmes, it enjoys an excellent international reputation.

Whereas many universities owe their founding to important religious figures or secular regents, the University of Cologne was founded by citizens of the city. That explains why the University of Cologne is still regarded as a city university: not only was it founded by the citizens of Cologne, but its campus is located right in the city center.

The four term Master degree programme is research-oriented and geared for a Master thesis. Intensive research experiences are gained. Course description Students document with their Master thesis the realisation, written documentation and finally the presentation of an independent scientific work. This qualification will be recognized in the professional world as a proof of the graduate's ability of working independently. The study programme offers four areas of specialization: Nanochemistry & Functional Materials, Catalysis & Synthesis, Photonics & Photochemistry, Bioorganic & Biological Chemistry. Alternatively, students can study also more generally, according to their own interests. Contents A description of the four areas of specialization can be found here. Structure The study programme comprises 3 advanced and 3 corresponding experimental modules to be selected from inorganic, organic, physical, theoretical and biochemistry 3 project modules, one of them incl. a research proposal (max one non-chemical modul): chemical: inorganic, organic, physical, theoretical (quantum) chemistry, biochemistry, technical, nuclear, and/or macromolecular chemistry non-chemical: physics, crystallography, mineralogy, genetics, computer sciences, pharmacology and toxicology, physiological chemistry 1 supplementary module Master thesis (6 months) Required Documents: ●School leaving certificate/proof of having passed a university entrance exam ●Degree certificate (if already available), if not, please upload a preliminary degree overview ●Overview of subjects and grades (transcript of records) ●University grading system ●An officially certified translation if the original documents were not issued in German or English Language ●Applicants from China and Vietnam are required to also submit a current APS certificate. (for India: As of the winter semester 2023/24) ●English Language Certificate: Level B2/C1 (TOEFL Internet-based 93; IELTS average 6,5 - each single component 6,0; Cambridge qualifications 175; TOEIC 460-425-175; Abitur incl. 6 years)

On the occasion of its 600th anniversary in 1988, the university published an extensive history of the University of Cologne in three volumes, which appeared with Böhlau. Erich Meuthen wrote the first volume, and in a short overview he first described the history of the old university (1388–1798), celebrating the height of its prosperity in the 15th century. More than a century after the French government closed the old Universitas coloniensis in 1798, a long-cherished dream of the people of Cologne came true: in 1919 a new university was built. In 2019 the university celebrated its 100th anniversary.

The UoC’s mission is to create, preserve and impart knowledge, to offer its students and early-career academics outstanding academic education, to qualify them for both academic and professional  careers, to promote cutting-edge research and to drive innovation while focusing on the constantly changing needs and challenges of today’s society.

The University of Cologne’s six Faculties are the institutional framework for its research activities. The Faculties offer more than a hundred degree programmes and support 16 cross-Faculty research and teaching centres. Moreover, the UoC has several large, internationally competitive research areas: mechanisms of aging-associated diseases; behavioral economic engineering and social cognition, quantum matter and materials, socio-economic, cultural and political transformations in the global south, plant sciences and skills and structures in language and cognition.

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it