This website is currently being revised for the 2026 application process and is expected to be completed in December.
If you would like to find out about the specific programme details of the Double Master's Programme in Demography and Social Inequality, please click here.
Application deadline
From the second week in April until 15 May, you apply exclusively online via the campus management system KLIPS.
At the time of application, all subject and language requirements must be met.
At the time of application, all documents must be provided in either German or in English.
Documents submitted after the application deadline will not be accepted.
Subject-related requirements
To take part in the selection procedure, the subject-related admission requirements must be met:
Completed bachelor's degree
Completed Bachelor's degree programme that corresponds to the subject of the selected Master's degree programme.
If you have not completed your bachelor's degree, at least 80% of the credit points to be earned must be completed. The pending examinations must be completed by 30 September at the latest.
The Double Master's Programme is in English so it is essential that your English language skills meet the necessary requirements. You can show your English language skills by submitting one of the following English language proofs:
Accepted in addition to the regular test: IELTS Indicator and IELTS Online
Cambridge2
C1 Advanced (previously called Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English, CAE) with grade A, B or C
C2 Proficiency (previously called Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English, CPE) with grade A, B, C or Level C1
Bachelor's degree2
Bachelor's degree totally taught in English With bachelor double degree: at least one year must have been completed in an English-speaking country.
Master's degree2
Master's degree totally taught in English
Native2
has to be verified by school certificates
German school leaving certificate (e.g. Abiturzeugnis)
After the end of class 11 (G8) or class 12 (G9) at least 5 points in German grading system must be demonstrated.
If the higher education entrance qualification was obtained at Rudolf Steiner schools (Waldorf school), the grade at the end of the last class with at least 5 points will be considered.
School leaving certificate from a member state of the European Union2
The school leaving certificate explicitly states English language proficiency at level B2 in a separate sentence. Only the grade is not sufficient.
International/ European Baccalaureate
accepted
1 validity for two years 2 unlimited validity
Please note that the English language requirements for the regular master’s programme may differ to those of the Double Master’s Programme. If you are interested in applying to both programmes, you should check the requirements for both programmes carefully.
Application documents
The following documents must be uploaded to KLIPS as originals or as authenticated documents in German or in English.
Bachelor's certificate or proof that 80 % have been succesfully completed
mandatory
If you have not finished your bachelor studies but have passed at least 80% of the examinations (at least 144 credits in a bachelor degree carrying 180 ECTS credits), you can apply by submitting a confirmation of all credits earned so far, along with a provisional average grade computed and certified by your examination office. Please note that the remaining credits must be earned by 30 September.
Transcript of records
mandatory
List of all taken modules and courses, including grades and credits, along with a provisional average grade computed and certified by your examination office.
Transcript of semester abroad
optional
Only if examinations passed abroad should be considered for the admission criteria as well.
Subject-related admission criteria
See PDF file in "subject-related requirements"
mandatory
Enter the courses you have successfully completed so far during your bachelor's degree programme in the PDF document. List only courses that you have completed at the time of application.
School leaving certificate
mandatory
A-levels, High school diploma etc.
Course catalogue
mandatory
Official description of the content of all taken bachelor courses. Course catalogue or PDF-file with link to course description at the website of the bachelor's university. If your university does not issue module descriptions or does not provide it in German or in English, please upload a PDF document explaining this informally. Please do not have your module descriptions translated! If we still need the module descriptions when reviewing your application, we will contact you.
Proof of English language skills
mandatory
Please note the accepted proofs of language under "Language requirements".
The letter of motivation must be submitted in English.
Please explain your reasons for applying to the Double Master's Programme (approximately 500 words). Please note that we only accept self-written texts (not generated with an AI such as ChatGPT).
mandatory for applicants with a bachelor's degree obtained outside Germany
Request 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.
The processing time is 4-6 weeks. Please make sure to request a VPD at uni-assist well in advance of the application deadline in KLIPS.
After you have received the VPD, create an online application in KLIPS.
Additional documents for Double Master's application
optional
Upload letters of reference for internships and employment (wherever possible), which you would like to have considered in the assessment of your application.
Selection procedure
All applications fulfilling the entry requirements, will be assessed. Shortlisted applications will be invited for an online interview taking place in June.
Where an application for the Double Master's Programme is unsuccessful, it will automatically considered in the selection procedure for the standard M.Sc. in Sociology: Social Research at the University of Cologne, provided all entry requirements are fulfilled.
We can only include students to the Double Master's Programme who reach the minimum grade and receive an admission to the regular programme in which the double degree option is integrated in. You can find more details in section "Selection procedure" on the application website of the M.Sc. Sociology: Social Resarch. In the "Admission results" section, you can also find out what the minimum grade was in the last two admission rounds.
At the University of Cologne: You have to pay a social contribution (Semesterbeitrag) during your second year of studies (approximately €320 per semester; including a public transport pass for the city and the surrounding area).
At the University of Groningen: You have to pay tuition fees at the University of Groningen for your second year of studies (approximately €2,530 per year for EU/EEA students and €20,800 per year for non-EU/EEA students; for more details on the tuition fees, please see the information on tuition fee at the University of Groningen).
Costs for rent, living expenses and learning materials must be paid by the student.
Financing and funding
You can find information on financing your studies here.
Students receive ERASMUS+ funding during their stay at the University of Groningen. Further information on funding possibilities when going abroad can be accessed at the website of the International Relations Center of the WiSo Faculty and the website of the Central International Office of the University of Cologne.
To apply for the Double Master's Programme in KLIPS, please select Sociology: Social Research and choose the option "I would like to apply for a Double Master's Programme".
You have further questions on the application and admission procedure? You find a detailed description on the process and how to file and application as well as FAQs here.