Application, admission and enrolment
for Erasmus/ Short-term Students
In order to become a short-term student (e.g. ERASMUS) at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Cologne, you need to go through the application process at your home university first. Please note that we only accept students from universities, faculties and departments that we hold an exchange agreement with.
Nomination
As soon as your home university has selected you for a mobility, you will be officially nominated to the University of Cologne. Once we have reviewed your nomination, you will receive an e-mail with further information about the registration process at UoC and the next steps.
Admission
Application for Admission
You then have to apply for admission to the University of Cologne through the online application portal KLIPS 2.0. Please pay attention to the application periods (deadlines):
- Winter term or full academic year: May 15 until July 15
- Summer term: November 15 until January 15
ERASMUS students can find a step-by-step guide on how to apply for admission in the online portal UKI. Students of other exchange programmes will receive instructions via e-mail from the Center for International Relations.
Admission
You can track the status of your application in your KLIPS 2.0 applicant account. As soon as your application has been processed, you will receive an e-mail notification and can download your letter of admission from KLIPS 2.0.
Enrolment
After your admission, please follow these three steps to enrol at the University of Cologne:
- Pay the social fee: Pay the social fee by bank transfer as soon as possible. You will find the bank details in your applicant account in KLIPS 2.0.
- Upload a portrait photo: Upload a recent high-quality portrait photo of yourself to KLIPS 2.0. It will be printed on your electronic student ID card (UCCard).
- Upload a proof of health insurance: Upload a proof of health insurance (EHIC, membership certificate of a German statutory health insurance or exemption certificate) to KLIPS 2.0.
After transferring the social fee and uploading the required documents, you will receive an e-mail with a PIN number to activate your electronic student account (see below).
Activation of Student Account
Once your payment of the social fee has been registered (this can take up to two weeks!), you will receive an automatic e-mail from the University of Cologne with a PIN number. Please use this PIN number together with your matriculation number to activate your electronic student account (instructions).
Your student account (username and password) gives you access to all the university's online services (KLIPS, ILIAS E-Learning, S-mail, Wi-Fi etc.) and IT facilities (computer workstations at the Regional computing center, software etc.).
University E-mail Address (S-mail)
On top of your student account, you will get a university e-mail address ("S-mail") consisting of your username and the ending "@smail.uni-koeln.de". Please note that many official e-mails from the University of Cologne will be sent to your S-mail address! Make sure to regularly check your S-mail inbox through the Webmail-system of the University of Cologne.
UCCard - Student ID
After paying the semester fee, you can pick up your student identity card (UCCard) at the Service Point of the International Office (SSC building) or have it sent by post to your German or Benelux address as entered in KLIPS 2.0. If you have any questions about receiving the UCCard, please directly refer to the Service Point at servicepoint(at)verw.uni-koeln.de
The UCCard is an electronic chip card with several functions:
- student ID card
- ticket for public transportation in Cologne (KVB) and in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) valid from October 1 to March 31 (winter semester) or from April 1 to September 31 (summer semester)
- prepaid card in the canteens of the student services (Kölner Studierendenwerk)
- library card for the main library (Universitäts- und Stadtbibliothek/USB)
- examination pass at some faculties