Students should plan their application for a term abroad at the beginning of their bachelor course. On the STAP programme, they can spend either the fall term or the spring term abroad. The selection process takes place once a year, with a lead time of about one to one and a half years, i.e. fall term for a stay abroad during the following academic year (either spring or fall). The application should be submitted in the second or third term of your degree.

Applications for the STAP programme are made via the WiSo EXchange (WEX) International Outgoings Portal. Information about the current selection round is made available on the WEX International portal about six weeks before the application deadline. WiSo Faculty students can log in using their student account. After entering your personal details you can check which partner universities are available for the current selection round. You can list your top five universities in your application.

For application requirements, application deadline and documents please consult the STAP Bachelor Application Manual available under "Downloads" on this page.

The completed application must be submitted through the WEX International portal by the specified deadline.

Selection criteria
ZIB WiSo ranks the applicants in the current STAP application round based on the overall average grade achieved in their degree. This ranking is the basis for admission or refusal and allocation to the applicant's preferred partner university. Where two or more applicants have identical average grades and preferred universities, the speed of study decides. Where this is also identical, a decision is made by drawing lots.

Selection process
Selection for the STAP programme is based on written applications. There are no selection interviews. The results of the selection process are normally communicated within ten weeks of the application deadline via email to the applicants' student account.

(As an exception, if a certain number of slots are still available for spring, a secondary STAP selection round will be offered in May.)

Application period main selection round: 1 December - 15 January

Application period secondary selection round: 1 May - 15 June (does not take place every year!)

Please visit the WiSo EXchange (WEX) International Outgoings Portal for general information regarding study opportunities at your chosen partner university. University places available in the current selection round are published in the WEX International portal about six weeks before the application deadline and can be viewed by WiSo students after starting an application.

With bachelor programmes at the WiSo Faculty it is often possible to transfer credit points awarded abroad to your degree in Cologne, thereby enabling you to stay within the standard period of study. For more detailed information regarding credit point transfer, please see the STAP Bachelor Application Manual available under "Downloads" on this page and visit the WiSo Credit Transfer Centre website.

For further information about the application and selection process and allocation of places at partner universities, as well as how to use the WEX International Outgoings Portal, please see the STAP Bachelor Application Manual available under "Downloads" on this page.

It is also a good idea to attend the Go Global events in May and November of every year, which give detailed presentations on the STAP programme and provide answers to all your questions.

If you have read all the information provided on the ZIB WiSo website and questions have been left unanswered, please visit our office during office hours for guidance.

STAP Bachelor Application Manual

Studies Abroad Overview 2024

STAP Info BSc Social Sciences Fall 2023

STAP Info BSc Business&Economics 2024

Lea Deussen

Outgoings Bachelor
Email: outgoingswiso.uni-koeln.de
Phone:+49 (0) 221 470-91017
Advising hours: Please register for an appointment here.

Veronika Langenberg

Email:  outgoingswiso.uni-koeln.de
Phone: +49 (0)221 470-91064
Advising hours: Please register for an appointment here.