This website is currently being revised for the 2026 application process until expected December.
1 Prepare the application
Please read the description of your chosen degree programme (--> see programme-specific information) and in particular the information on admission criteria, application documents and selection process carefully.
2 Create the application
Applications are submitted via the KLIPS campus management system. No paper documents need to be submitted.
Students at the University of Cologne use their existing KLIPS account; external applicants should create a new account. Please read our application instructions.
To apply for the Double Master's Programme, please select the relevant Master's programme and choose the option "I would like to apply for a Double Master's Programme" in KLIPS. If your application for the Double Master's Programme is not successful, it can be considered for the regular Master's programme.
A total of up to three programmes per year can be applied for. Before submitting your application, please check it carefully for accuracy, as it is not possible to change the programme afterwards.
Applications should be submitted as early as possible so that any missing or incorrect documents can be submitted later.
→ Note for applicants with a non-German Bachelor's degree
Applicants who do not have a German bachelor's degree must additionally submit a preliminary review documentation (VPD)issued for the University of Cologne from uni-assist. You can have your documents checked by uni-assist all year round, the VPD is not tied to an application semester. Please note our information on requesting a VPD.
We recommend requesting the VPD as early as possible before the application deadline, as missing or incorrect documents can still be submitted in time. Processing will only begin after receipt of all documents and payment. Experience shows that the processing time is eight weeks.
You can only submit your application via KLIPS with a valid VPD document.
Requesting a VPD to uni-assist alone does not count as an application for a degree program at the University of Cologne.
3 Please note the different application deadlines
International Management (CEMS MIM), Economic Research
Documents can be checked by uni-assist throughout the year. The VPD is not tied to a specific application semester.
Based on experience, processing a VPD application takes 8 weeks. Please ensure that you apply for a VPD at uni-assist well in advance of the application deadline at the UzK. When applying, select "University of Cologne - VPD".
4 We review the application
Formal review
In the formal review, we check:
whether all documents are complete and in the correct form,
whether the minimum grade has been achieved,
whether the language requirements have been met, and
whether you have already successfully completed at least 70% or 80% of your studies.
Subject-specific review
In the subject-specific review, we check whether you meet the subject-related admission requirements for the programme.
Review results
The current status and results of applications can be viewed in the self-service view in KLIPS.
5 Selection process
If more applicants qualify for the programme than there are places available, a selection process will be carried out.
All applicants will be listed according to their personal score and ranked in descending order.
Admissions are then made in this order until the capacity of the respective Master's programme is exhausted.
How the personal score is calculated can be found in the selection procedure section of the respective degree programme.
6 Admissions are being sent
At the beginning of June, admissions for the Master's programme in International Management (CEMS MIM) and for the Master's programme in Economic Research will be sent by e-mail; for all other programmes this is expected to take place mid-July.
6.1 Accepting a place at university and enrolling
Admission must first be accepted within 7 days via KLIPS. The documents required for enrolment must then be uploaded to KLIPS. All important information can be found in the KLIPS self-service view.
The following is required for enrolment:
• Transfer the semester fee
• Upload the necessary enrollment documents (visible in KLIPS self-service view)
You can track the status of your enrolment at any time via KLIPS. If you have any questions about your enrolment, please contact the Student Secretariat or the International Office. The relevant office can be found on your letter of admission.
6.2 You have not received an admission
After the enrolment deadline has passed, we will check whether there are still places available in the individual degree programmes. If this is the case, a move-up procedure will take place and further admissions will be granted. The relevant applicants will be informed by email.
The results of the procedure will be published on the website of the respective degree programme.
7 Welcome to the WiSo-Faculty!
We have compiled all the information you need for a successful start to your studies here.
8 Letters of rejection
Letters of rejection will be sent out at the beginning of October, because the entire admission and enrolment process is only completed by then. Letters of rejection are sent out for all application master's programmes in which no admission was granted - even if applicants have been admitted in another master's programme.