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Requirements for transferring to the Master's program in Economic Research (M.Sc.), version 2026

A new version of the Economic Research (M.Sc.) master’s program will be introduced at the start of the 2026–2027 winter semester. Students who are already enrolled in the Economic Research master’s program as of the 2026 summer semester may complete their studies in this program through the 2029 summer semester, inclusive. If only the master’s thesis remains to be completed at that time, it may still be registered by March 31, 2030. After that, students may continue their studies in the Economic Research master’s program under the 20262 version of the Study and Examination Regulations (SPO) in accordance with Appendices 14.1 through 14.4 of the Examination Regulations for Master’s Programs in the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences.

Students who are already enrolled in the Master’s program in Economic Research at the University of Cologne for the summer semester of 2026 may, upon application, transfer to the 2026 version of the program starting in the winter semester of 2026/2027 and beyond, with credit for exams already passed. This does not apply if all exams for the program have been passed or registered. Even if only the registration for the thesis remains pending, a switch is no longer possible.

The application form is available here. The form can be uploaded via the WiSo inbox. Informal requests for change cannot be processed.

Applications can also be submitted via the other usual channels (by post, using the contact form at the WiSo Student Service Point). Further information can be found here.

The Joint Examination Board has established the following provisions for such a change:

  • An application to transfer may be submitted starting October 1, 2026. At the time of application, a grade must have been entered in the Campus Management System for all registered exams. 

  • Once the application has been submitted, it is no longer possible to register for additional exams under the old examination procedure. At this point, it is not yet possible to register for exams under the new examination regulations; this can only be done after the transition process has been completed.

  • The change to SPO version 20262 cannot be undone.

  • The recognition of examination achievements is carried out according to the provisions of § 11a Joint examination regulations of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences.

  • Students are required to maintain a Transcript of Records (ToR) documenting their academic achievements in the 20212 version of the SPO. The Examination Office will not issue a ToR from this version of the SPO. Once academic achievements have been transferred to SPO version 20262, it will no longer be possible to retrieve a ToR from SPO version 20212 - not even for the Examination Office.

  • Once the transfer process is complete, students can then register for exams as usual in SPO version 20262.