DISCOVER COLOGNE

FIND YOUR STUDY PROGRAM IN COLOGNE

COLOGNE AT A GLANCE

With its total area of over 400 km2 Cologne is the biggest city in the North Rhine-Westphalia region and also the fourth-biggest city in Germany. Moreover, with over one million inhabitants currently living, working or studying in there, the city of Cologne is considered the most populous in the region. Over twenty percent of all inhabitants in Cologne are foreigners mostly from Turkey, Italy, and Poland, but there are also many people from Asian and African countries. Even though German is the official language in Cologne, of course, because of the percentage of expats, a big part of the people can also speak English, especially the young people between 16 and 28 years. The Turkish language is the second foreign language that citizens of Cologne can speak. During the Second World War, the city of Cologne has been completely destroyed and later was reconstructed in 1950s’ architecture style. Nowadays, Cologne’s architecture look consists of mostly post-war moderate buildings with a few of pre-war ones that have a deep historical meaning. Cologne has an excellent and reliable public transport system. When it comes to transportation, just like in the rest of the country, rail transport is the fastest and the most convenient way to travel both within or outside the city. Deutsche Bahn InterCity, as well as the ICE trains connect Cologne with other German cities, for example, Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg. Every day fast-speed trains link the city of Cologne with other European destinations, such as Amsterdam and Paris and it only takes between one and three hours to reach the destination. The five Stadtbahn lines that run in Cologne connect the neighborhoods within the city with each other. Moreover, an S-Bahn line even links directly Cologne with the city of Dusseldorf, as well as the Dusseldorf Airport. Bus lines are also a common way of transport in Cologne connecting the city center with the surrounding suburbs. The Cologne-Bonn airport, which is shared by both the city of Cologne and Bonn, is also known as Konrad Adenauer Airport. In fact, the airport was named after Konrad Adenauer because he was the first mayor of Cologne after World War II. The Cologne-Bonn airport connects Germany with countries within and outside Europe, helping over thirteen million passengers every year to reach their desired destinations.

Academic Year

Summer Semester: March – September / Winter Semester: October – February

Official Language

German

Higher Education Institutions

Population

1080394

Living Costs

850 – 950 EUR

STUDYING IN COLOGNE

The city of Cologne is home to twenty-three higher education institutes providing a wide range of degree courses that students can choose from. The University of Cologne, which was founded in 1388, is among the oldest and biggest universities in Europe. Currently, the University of Cologne hosts more than almost 50,000 students from around the globe. Among the most common degree courses chosen by students are Social Sciences, Economics, as well as Management. Even though the main language of instruction at higher education institutions in Cologne is German, a huge part of all courses is offered also in English, mainly because of the increasing amount of international students coming to study in Cologne. Nowadays, approximately fifteen percent of the total amount of students studying at the University of Cologne are foreigners, most of them being originally from Bulgaria, Russia, and Poland. After choosing the right university and a degree course, students also need to think about the accommodation options in Cologne. When it comes to student accommodation, what everyone is looking for is a balance between quality and acceptable price. Usually, the cheapest and most convenient option is living in a student dormitory (also called student halls of residence). Rooms there can be single or double and prices are usually between 220 and 300 EUR per month. Price also includes all bills, such as electricity, water, and even limited Internet connection. However, not every student gets a room in the student dormitories, because places are far not enough and universities do not promise each student a place there. Student halls availability is strictly on first-come-first-serve basis, so the earlier one applies, the better. Fortunately, there are also other options, such as renting a room in a shared flat, or renting a studio apartment. Compared to student dormitories, private accommodation is relatively expensive, and the costs per person range between 300 and 450 EUR per month. Price, however, can still vary depending on the where the flat is located.

COLOGNE LIFESTYLE

Besides its high-quality universities, Cologne is well-known for its great Christmas markets, famous fashion boutiques, buzzing nightlife and rich cultural life. It basically can offer something to everyone. The spectacular Cologne Dom is among the top attractions in the city which attracts tourists from around the world. The 144-meters cathedral is a symbol of the enduring character of European Christianity. It is a must for it to be visited during the very first days in Cologne. Of course, there are many different museums situated in Cologne, but chocolate aficionados would definitely appreciate the Chocolate Museum in Cologne. Established in 1993, the Lindt Chocolate Museum provides an overview of the history and production of chocolate. Chocolate fountains and many more sweet surprises are awaiting the museum’s visitors.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN COLOGNE

The city of Cologne is considered Germany’s center for the media industry, since many big companies like Westdeutscher Rundfunk and RTL Television are based in the city. However, finding employment in that sector without being able to speak German is considered relatively hard. Apart from the media sector, Cologne’s economy is based on the engineering industry. Since a big percentage of the engineering employers are international companies, skilled expats will have the opportunity to prove their capabilities and build a successful career life even without having advanced knowledge in the German language.