Depending on what you are studying, your IT requirements may be slightly different. If in doubt, please ask your department about specific hardware and software requirements. At the same time, it is not possible to make a general recommendation that takes into account both different specific preferences and financial resources.
Below are a few tips, without any claim to general validity or completeness:

Notebook or tablet? Or both?

If you have to choose between a tablet and a notebook, we recommend the notebook for your studies.

Advantages of a notebook:

• cheaper overall: ‘more’ features for the same price
• usually more powerful (important for specific software applications, computing power, coexistence of applications, battery performance)
• larger, cheaper hard drive
• usually more connections: e.g. USB, Thunderbolt, HDMI, Displayport,
• good grip on uneven surfaces, e.g. on the knees, in the lecture theatre
• Convertible version with pen: tool for taking notes during lectures, for example
• larger selection of installable standard and specialised software (from Microsoft Office to STATA or SPSS)
• real file system to store files in an organised manner
• choice of a non-reflective screen (important for working outdoors)
• longer device service life because not tied to fixed update periods

Advantages of a tablet:

• lighter, smaller, ‘always with you’
• good pen on top devices: ideal for taking notes and reading articles (incl. notes)
• specially developed apps, e.g. for pen input, for designing papers, for photo editing
• faster ad hoc use 
• can often be quickly converted into a kind of notebook thanks to the plug-in keyboard, but: additional costs! and operating system still offers less convenience than Windows or macOS for productive work on texts

Notebook hardware recommendations (as of 09/2024):

• at least 16 GB RAM working memory
• at least 512 GB hard drive, even better 1 TB, but: it is essential to store large amounts of important data externally (cloud and external hard drives) so that a device could break or be stolen at any time
• at least I7 Pentium, AMD Ryzen 5 or M2 Apple processor
• at least 13’ large screen
• longest possible battery life (compare test reports!)
• pultiple USB-C or Thunderbolt ports if possible
• HDMI or DisplayPort if possible to be able to connect an external monitor
• make sure that the device runs quietly! Fanless or explicitly labelled as ‘quiet’
• preferably with keyboard illumination
• if affordable, pay attention to the warranty period, if possible choose to keep the hard drive in the event of a warranty claim

Software (as of 09/2024)

• recommendation for operating systems: Windows or IOS instead of Linux or ChromeOS
• easy to use, even with more complex requirements
• easiest way to exchange files in common formats
• real file storage and management
• best way to install standard and specialised software
• highest degree of distribution  long product support and chance that many people in the environment know their way around
• advantage over ChromeOS of being able to work offline and generally more stable hardware

Software basis recommendation:

• Sophos Home virus protection: Sophos (uni-koeln.de)
• Microsoft Office 365: Office for Students (uni-koeln.de)
• WLAN / eduroam: Wi-Fi at the university (uni-koeln.de)
• Zoom for online events, licence activation via ‘Login’ button on: https://uni-koeln.zoom.us/
• Cisco software to create VPN tunnels to the university network: VPN (uni-koeln.de)

KLIPS stands for "Kölner Lehr-, Informations- und Prüfungsservice" (Cologne Teaching, Information and Examination Service). KLIPS is used in particular to register for and de-register from courses and examinations. You can find out exactly how this works here.

Be sure to take part in the WiSo KLIPS team's information event at the beginning of your studies. Since you will be using KLIPS throughout your studies, it is important to understand the system and its functionalities already at the beginning of your studies. In the information session, all the necessary functions will be explained to you and you can clarify your individual questions.

Video tutorials on the correct course allocation and exam registration and deregistration in KLIPS: Be sure to watch them on this website as a supplement or during your studies.

Be sure to store your current study address and telephone number in KLIPS and update them if necessary. Since the WiSo Examination Office will be happy to contact you itself in the event of a written application or queries, the direct and quickest way to contact them is via currently valid data only.

Communication at the university takes place exclusively via your s-mail address. The issue of data protection is very important to us and in order to guarantee this, we can only offer individual, study-related advice at the WiSo Student Service Point if the enquiries are sent from your s-mail address. Only with your s-Mailaccount you can use selected services of the UoC, which are essential for you as a student, such as KLIPS, ILIAS, internet access etc. Please bookmark this page and check it at least once a week. If you do not know your s-mail code or need further information about the account, please contact the RRZK computer centre.

ILIAS stands for "Integriertes Lern-, Informations- und Arbeitskooperations-System" (Integrated Learning, Information and Work Cooperation System) and is the central e-learning platform of the University of Cologne. Information on ILIAS can also be found here.

The chairs use ILIAS as an online platform for their courses. In addition to current information about the courses, the learning materials such as presentations, external sources, lecture slides or other files are available for download.

ILIAS is linked to KLIPS. If you have registered a course in KLIPS and have been allocated a place there after the end of the registration phase, your data will automatically be imported into the corresponding ILIAS course at the start of the lecture and you will receive access to the corresponding materials.

In addition, ILIAS is also used as an examination environment for online exams. Therefore, please familiarise yourself with the system at the beginning of your studies.

Other ILIAS courses that are independent of your modules in the degree programme must be actively joined by you. This includes, for example, LOTSE, the self-test on maths school knowledge or the course "Learning to learn".

So that you can start your studies well prepared and successfully master the first semester, the WiSSPo provides you with a series of video tutorials for the 1st semester.

The following are particularly recommended for first-semester Bachelor students:

• Bachelor an der WiSo (German)
• Virtual campus tour
• LOTSE (German)
• Registration for courses
• Registration for exams
• Our values at the faculty

We recommend the following videos for first-semester Master's students. Please note that access is only possible if you already have an S-Mail account at the UoC.

• Master at WiSo
• Virtual campus tour
• Registration for courses
• Registration for exams
• Our values at the faculty

At the beginning of each semester, you create your own timetable using the scheduler function in KLIPS. You will find the modules to be taken for the first semester in your module catalogue (ER 2021).

If you would like to know what is specifically taught in the individual modules, then take a look at the description of the modules. In addition to details of content, you can also see in which rotation a module is offered or which language of instruction applies.
Information on the legal basis for your studies is provided by the examination regulations (ER) of your degree programme. It is essential that you familiarise yourself with them, as they will accompany you throughout your studies.

Please remember that the module descriptions are only valid for one academic year. However, outdated versions can still be found in the archive on the website. And examination regulations are also subject to change, which are published in the Official Notices of the UoC.

To create your schedule, please make sure to watch this short video with helpful tipps!

Or instead follow these steps:

1. The first thing you do is look at the sample study plan for your degree programme, which you can find in the module catalogue (ER 2021).
2. There you can see which modules are recommended for the first semester (usually 4-5 modules).
   Note: Some modules consist of several courses, e.g. lecture+exercise+tutorial.
3. Now log into KLIPS with your s-mail data.
   Note: You received your s-mail data from the Student's Registration Office when you enrolled. You can only register for courses and examinations in student status with your s-mail data (and no longer with your private mail address). You can find information on the first steps in KLIPS here.
4. On your business card, select the tab "my degree programme", via which you now take the modules that are recommended for you in the first semester according to the sample study plan.
   Note: Please only ever use this section for course registration, as this will only show you the courses that you are actually allowed to attend. Do not use the free search for the courses.
5. Each course in a module (lecture, exercise, tutorial) must be booked individually in KLIPS. If, e.g., only a lecture is offered, but no tutorial or exercise, then these will not be offered at the time of registration.
6. Prioritise the courses you have taken, here you will find helpful instructions.
   Note: We recommend that you choose several tutorials per module and then also prioritise them. As the places per tutorial are very limited, you have a better chance if you choose more than one.
7. Please be sure to not miss the KLIPS registration periods. Only in these periods can the modules for the coming semester be taken. As a rule, this is the 2nd KLIPS registration phase for first semester students. In the 1st enrolment phase, mainly seminars and Bachelor theses are taken. Please have a look at the overview of the courses to be taken at the end of the lecture period, which the WiSo KLIPS team has compiled for you here (list of available WiSo events). In the allocation of remaining places (3rd KLIPS registration period), you can still take courses at the beginning of your studies where there are still free places.
8. The timetable is created after all courses have been taken in KLIPS: Courses in which you have received a place are automatically transferred to your timetable. This can be viewed in KLIPS via the calendar application. In the settings of the timetable, you can specify whether courses for which you are on the waiting list should also be displayed for planning purposes (this option also includes courses for which you have submitted enrolment requests)

Have you missed the first few weeks of your first semester (e.g. due to a late visa, illness, etc.) and now need help adjusting your study plan? Then contact the WiSo Student Service Point as early as possible and get information on that.

In general, we strongly recommend being on campus for the official WiSo welcome at the latest. Once the semester has started and you have already missed the first few weeks of courses, it is usually no longer possible to have a regular first semester according to the ssample study plan.  

School vs. university:

Learning at university is different from learning at school. You are responsible for your own personal learning and study success. For you as a first-year student, it therefore makes a lot of sense to deal with your own learning process at the beginning.

LOTSE ("pilot") offers a helpful module on learning strategies with important tips in Chapter 3. Use the time until the first lecture to prepare yourself optimally for your studies. At teh moment, "LOTSE" is only available in German language.

Have you already taken examinations in another degree programme or at another university and would like to have them checked to see if they are eligible for credit? Then submit an application for credit as follows:

• Make sure your s-mail account is activated and your degree programme is listed under the tab "my degree programme" in KLIPS.
• Then access the credit transfer portal and create a final application for credit. You will also find instructions on the linked website.
• Read through the information on how to apply and follow the corresponding diagram, depending on which applies to you.
• If additional documents or proofs need to be submitted, they can be dropped into the letterbox in front of the WiSSPo, room number 0.305 (ground floor) in the WiSo Faculty. The addressee is the WiSo Credit Centre.

The International Office offers many events for all new international students to network, make new friends and get to know the city and its surroundings, i.g.:

• City Hall Reception of the City of Cologne
• Intercultural training
• Hiking through the "Bergisches Land"
• Exhibition on Germany and National Socialism
• Visit to the Aachen Christmas market

Here you can find further information and registration options: Calendar of events (uni-koeln.de)

Interested in a German course? Have a look here: Specific Language Courses (uni-koeln.de)

Do you have questions about your visa? Do you need a certificate for the immigration office or do you have questions about a job alongside your studies? Then the advisory services of the International Office can help you: Services for enrolled international students (uni-koeln.de)

WiSo Student Service Point (WiSSPo)

Do you have any questions about your studies? Then feel free to contact us - the WiSo Student Service Point. We are always your first point of contact for all questions about WiSo studies.

We provide information and advice on topics such as KLIPS, course enrolment, choice of specialisation and help with general questions about examination matters. You need to book an appointment first for detailed guidance. Please use the links for appointment booking on our WiSSPo website. Service requests or brief questions can always be made directly at reception during WiSSPo opening hours without an appointment.

For students with disabilities

The University of Cologne offers additional counselling and support services for students with disabilities, chronic or mental illnesses. The Service Centre for Inclusion (SZI) will be happy to help you with your questions and discuss your needs and support services with you, e.g., as compensation for disadvantages in exams or support measures in lectures. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact them. You will also find many important tips and information on the topic of empowerment. The SZI will be happy to introduce itself to you via this presentation.

Student Initiatives

The WiSo Faculty has a very dynamic campus life and a variety of student initiatives, which are independently organised by the students. These initiatives have different orientations and objectives, but always relate to either the study programme or the faculty. For example, there are student groups such as AEGEE, a student organisation that is active throughout Europe. At the university level, there is also the student self-administration, the AStA. Internship placement, congress organisation or subject-related offers - student associations offer many opportunities to gain practical experience as well as to benefit from networks.

You can find a list of most student groups, Fachschaften and other student associations here.

The WiSo student council

The WiSo Student Council is the student body of the WiSo Faculty. Every day, numerous students volunteer on behalf of their fellow students to represent their interests to professors, institutions and the university. But the student council offers even more - namely service for students by students. Their service also includes offers such as the exam CD or the book market. In addition, there are numerous teams that deal with, for example, the orientation phase for first-semester students or the graduation celebration. The student council also includes the Mitschriften-AG (MAG), where students produce and sell lecture notes for almost all courses. In addition, the student council publishes the WiSo-Mitteilung (WM) - in the student council newspaper you can always read the latest information about studying. Everything important, such as contact details or the opening hours of the WiSo office, can be found at their website . Every student is cordially invited by the student council to contribute there!

The WiSo office is the seat of the student body. There, students help their fellow students with their concerns on a peer level.

The professional student advisors at the WiSo Student Service Point (WiSSPo) at the various WiSo service institutions, on the other hand, provide objective information and offer advice based on this mission statement.