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Study in Cologne

A big, open-hearted Rhine city with Carnival, media jobs, free public universities and one of Germany's largest student populations.

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Hohenzollern Bridge
Photo: Hohenzollern Bridge — Raimond Spekking (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 4.0

In short

Cologne has 11 universities and colleges offering 668 degree courses (284 Bachelor's, 370 Master's), and 20% of them are taught in English or bilingually. A student flat costs about €714 a month (30 m² flat incl. utilities, MLP Studentenwohnreport 2026). Tuition for non-EU students: €0 — Public universities in North Rhine-Westphalia charge no tuition, including for non-EU students; you pay a semester contribution that includes the Deutschland-Semesterticket. Private universities charge fees.

Cologne is relaxed, sociable and proud of it: people talk to strangers in the pub and the whole city dresses up for Carnival. The University of Cologne, TH Köln and the German Sport University draw students from everywhere. Rent is among the highest in Germany, but the city is well connected to the rest of the Rhine-Ruhr region.

Universities in Cologne

Every university and college in Cologne in our catalogue, biggest first.

See all 668 courses on the map

Cost of living

What studying in Cologne costs, from the latest figures we could source.

Rent for a student flat
≈ €714 / month30 m² flat incl. utilities, MLP Studentenwohnreport 2026
Tuition for non-EU students
€0 / semesterPlus the semester contribution every student pays. The rules are summed up in In short.
Proof of funds for a visa
€992 / monthThe proof of funds German missions currently ask of student-visa applicants (€11,904 a year) — confirm with the German embassy or consulate handling your application.

Good to know

  • Budget about €714 for a 30 m² flat or €672 for a shared-flat room (MLP 2026); many students live in Ehrenfeld, Sülz or Kalk, or commute from nearby cities.
  • Carnival week in February is a big deal: lectures continue, but plan for crowds, costumes and closed shops on Rose Monday.
  • In a Brauhaus, the waiter (Köbes) keeps bringing 0.2-litre Kölsch until you put your coaster on top of the glass.

Industries & employers

Big names that hire graduates, and offer internships and working-student jobs, in and around Cologne.

  • Ford

    Automotive

    Ford-Werke's German headquarters and plant in Cologne-Niehl.

  • REWE Group

    Retail

    Supermarket and travel group headquartered in Cologne.

  • Lufthansa

    Aviation

    Deutsche Lufthansa AG has its registered headquarters in Cologne.

  • WDR · RTL

    Media

    Germany's largest public broadcaster and its biggest private TV group are both based here.

Culture & people

Cologne people are known for being open and chatty, with a local saying for every situation ("Et hätt noch immer jot jejange" – it has always worked out). Life happens in the Veedel, the neighbourhoods, each with its own bars and kiosks. The Belgian Quarter and Ehrenfeld are popular with students.

The city has one of Germany's biggest LGBTQ+ scenes, a strong art and music scene and a summer culture of sitting by the Rhine. Kölsch beer and Halve Hahn (a rye roll with cheese, not half a chicken) are local classics.

Events & festivals

  • Carnival

    11 Nov and Feb

    The season opens on 11 November; street carnival peaks from Weiberfastnacht to Rose Monday.

  • ColognePride

    July

    One of Europe's largest Pride parades and street festivals.

  • gamescom

    August

    The world's largest video games fair, at the Koelnmesse.

  • Christmas markets

    Late Nov – Dec

    Markets at the cathedral, the old town and the Rhine harbour.

Places to see

  • Cologne Cathedral

    UNESCO

    The Gothic cathedral, a World Heritage Site; you can climb its south tower.

  • Hohenzollern Bridge

    Bridge

    Railway bridge over the Rhine, covered in love locks.

  • Museum Ludwig

    Museum

    Modern art, with one of Europe's biggest Picasso collections.

  • Rheinauhafen

    Waterfront

    Old harbour with the Crane Houses and the Chocolate Museum.

  • Belgian Quarter

    Neighbourhood

    Cafés, small shops and bars a short walk from the university.

Getting around

Cologne's trams, light rail and buses (KVB) and the regional trains around it are covered by the Deutschland-Semesterticket, included in the semester contribution at public universities. Cologne/Bonn Airport is about 15 minutes from the main station by S-Bahn, Düsseldorf is under half an hour away, and fast ICE trains reach Frankfurt in about an hour; high-speed trains also run to Brussels and Paris.

Student experiences

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Studying in Cologne: FAQ

Is Cologne expensive for students?

Yes, Cologne is one of Germany's most expensive student cities: a 30 m² flat costs about €714 a month and a shared-flat room about €672, against a mid-range figure of about €565 across the 38 cities studied (MLP Studentenwohnreport 2026).

Which universities are in Cologne?

The main ones are the University of Cologne, one of Germany's largest universities, TH Köln (University of Applied Sciences), the German Sport University Cologne, the Cologne University of Music and Dance, and the Academy of Media Arts.

Can I study in English in Cologne?

Some programmes are taught in English, mostly at Master's level; in our catalogue, 20% of Cologne's courses are in English or bilingual. Most Bachelor's degrees require German.

Do I pay tuition fees in Cologne?

Not at public universities: North Rhine-Westphalia charges no tuition to EU or non-EU students. You pay a semester contribution that includes the Deutschland-Semesterticket.

Which companies hire students in Cologne?

Ford, the REWE Group, Lufthansa and media companies like WDR and RTL are major employers, and Bayer is headquartered in neighbouring Leverkusen.

More guides in North Rhine-Westphalia

The whole state: Study in North Rhine-Westphalia

Other university cities

Sources

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