Cologne University: A Unique German Academic Experience

The University of Cologne is one of the largest and oldest universities in Germany, founded in 1388. It is a leading German research university with a large urban campus in the heart of Cologne, one of Germany's oldest and biggest cities. The University of Cologne is divided into six faculties: Management, Economics and Social Sciences, Law, Medicine, Arts and Humanities, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and Human Sciences. It is ranked among the top 20 German universities in the world and has an impressive list of notable alumni, including Nobel Laureates, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize winners, and Rhodes Scholars. The university has a broad subject base, with over 200 fields of study, and is known for its strong faculties of law and economics. It is also recognised for its research structures in health and ageing, with the Cologne Cluster of Excellence on Ageing Research (CECAD) being a world-leading research centre in this field. The University of Cologne offers its students a vibrant and welcoming place of teaching and research, with a diverse range of cultural and public institutions and an active student life.

The University of Cologne is one of the oldest and largest universities in Germany

The University of Cologne has a rich history that dates back to the Middle Ages. It was established as the fourth university in the Holy Roman Empire, after the Charles University of Prague, the University of Vienna, and the Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg. The university's charter was signed by Pope Urban VI, and it began teaching in 1389. However, the university closed in 1798 when it was abolished by the French First Republic, who had invaded Cologne in 1794. The university's last rector, Ferdinand Franz Wallraf, was able to preserve the university's Great Seal, which is now in use again.

In 1919, the University of Cologne was re-established by the Prussian government, who endorsed a decision by the Cologne City Council. This was considered a replacement for the loss of the University of Strasbourg on the west bank of the Rhine, which reverted to France at the time. The new university was initially located in Neustadt-Süd but later relocated to its current campus in Lindenthal. The Cologne Mayor, Konrad Adenauer, signed the charter of the modern university on May 29, 1919.

Today, the University of Cologne is organized into six faculties: the Faculty of Management, Economics, and Social Sciences; the Faculty of Law; the Faculty of Medicine; the Faculty of Arts and Humanities; the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences; and the Faculty of Human Sciences. The university offers around 100 quality-assured degree programs, with over 300 subject and teaching combinations. It is particularly well-known for its faculties of law and economics, which are renowned and leading in Germany.

The University of Cologne has a strong focus on research and is one of the leading German research universities. It has several large, internationally competitive research areas, including four Clusters of Excellence: Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-associated Diseases (CECAD), ECONtribute: Markets & Public Policy, Plant Sciences – SMART Plants for Tomorrow’s Needs (CEPLAS), and Matter and Light for Quantum Computing (ML4Q). The university also has strong connections with various research institutions, such as the Max Planck Society and the Helmholtz Association.

In addition to its academic and research prowess, the University of Cologne is known for its commitment to equality, diversity, and sustainability. It has been awarded the title 'Total E-Quality' multiple times for its equal opportunities and diversity strategy. It also holds the 'family-friendly university' and 'shaping diversity' certificates and has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Diversity Champion. Furthermore, the university adopted a sustainability strategy in June 2023, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability in research, teaching, and operations.

The university is divided into six faculties, offering over 200 fields of study

The University of Cologne is divided into six faculties, offering over 200 fields of study. The faculties are:

Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences

This faculty covers a range of disciplines including business, economics, and social sciences. It is one of the largest and most renowned faculties at the university, with a strong focus on research and international partnerships. The Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences has established itself as a leader in economics, consistently ranking among the top positions nationally and internationally for this subject.

Faculty of Law

The Faculty of Law at the University of Cologne has a long-standing reputation for excellence in Germany and beyond. It is known for its rigorous academic programmes and has produced many notable alumni, including judges, lawyers, and politicians.

Faculty of Medicine

The Faculty of Medicine is affiliated with the University Hospital of Cologne and offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programmes. It is at the forefront of medical research, with a particular focus on ageing and related diseases. The faculty has established several research centres, including the Cologne Cluster of Excellence on Aging Research (CECAD) and the Cologne Center for Ethics, Rights, Economics, and Social Sciences of Health (ceres).

Faculty of Arts and Humanities

This faculty encompasses a wide range of arts and humanities subjects, including literature, history, philosophy, and languages. It has a strong focus on interdisciplinary research and offers a diverse array of degree programmes. The Faculty of Arts and Humanities also houses several special collections and museums, such as the Theatre Collection in Schloss Wahn and the Egyptian Collection.

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences provides a comprehensive education in the fields of mathematics and the natural sciences. It offers a range of degree programmes, including joint degree programmes with other faculties. The faculty is home to several research centres and has established itself as a leader in quantum computing research with the Cluster of Excellence Matter and Light for Quantum Computing (ML4Q).

Faculty of Human Sciences

The Faculty of Human Sciences was established in 2007 and covers a range of subjects related to education, psychology, and the social sciences. It has a strong focus on teacher training and works closely with over 800 schools in the Rhineland region through its Centre for Teacher Education (Zentrum für LehrerInnenbildung, ZfL). The faculty offers a diverse range of degree programmes and promotes an interdisciplinary approach to research and teaching.

It is a member of the German U15 association of major research-intensive universities

The University of Cologne is a member of the German U15 association of major research-intensive universities. German U15 is an association of fifteen leading universities with a strong research tradition. The University of Cologne is one of the leading German research universities with an increasing international outreach. It is ranked #241 in Best Global Universities and constantly ranks among the top 20 German universities in the world rankings. The University of Cologne is also a member of the prestigious European COIMBRA Group.

The U15 universities stand for excellent research, cutting-edge teaching, strong innovation, and a culture of science-based debate. They have a truly global network, with partnerships spanning America, Europe, the Indo-Pacific region, and Africa. The association's governing body is the University of Bonn, and its headquarters are in Berlin.

The University of Cologne has several large, internationally competitive research areas, including four Clusters of Excellence: Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), ECONtribute: Markets & Public Policy, Plant Sciences – SMART Plants for Tomorrow’s Needs (CEPLAS), and Matter and Light for Quantum Computing (ML4Q). The university is divided into six faculties, offering around 100 quality-assured degree programs, with over 300 subject and teaching combinations.

The University of Cologne is one of the oldest and biggest German universities, founded in 1388. It is now one of the largest universities in Germany, with around 44,000 students. The university closed in 1798 and was re-established in 1919. It is a statutory corporation operated by the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The university has four Clusters of Excellence, including the Cluster of Excellence for Aging Research

The University of Cologne has four Clusters of Excellence, including the Cluster of Excellence for Aging Research. This commitment to research excellence is one of the university's defining characteristics. The other three Clusters of Excellence are: ECONtribute: Markets & Public Policy, Plant Sciences – SMART Plants for Tomorrow’s Needs (CEPLAS), and Matter and Light for Quantum Computing (ML4Q). These Clusters of Excellence are funded within the German Excellence Strategy.

The Cluster of Excellence for Aging Research, also known as the CECAD Cluster, is a world-leading research centre dedicated to exploring the molecular basis of the ageing process and age-associated diseases. This field of study falls under the university's broader strengths in health and ageing, which also include the Cologne Center for Ethics, Rights, Economics and Social Sciences of Health (ceres). This centre takes an interdisciplinary approach to health-related issues, generating novel approaches and knowledge.

The University of Cologne's other research strengths include teacher education, with the Centre for Teacher Education (Zentrum für LehrerInnenbildung, ZfL) working with over 800 schools in the Rhineland region to provide an exemplary training structure for future teachers. The university also has a strong international outlook, with a well-established international network of 18 Strategic Research Partnerships, about 100 university-wide-level partners, and approximately 500 faculty-level partnerships worldwide.

The University of Cologne is located in the heart of Cologne, one of the oldest and biggest cities in Germany

The University of Cologne has a broad range of subjects and talented people, making it a leading German research university with a growing international outreach. It is organised into six faculties: the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences; the Faculty of Law; the Faculty of Medicine; the Faculty of Arts and Humanities; the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences; and the Faculty of Human Sciences. The university offers around 100 quality-assured degree programs, with over 300 subject and teaching combinations, including various bi-national study programs.

The University of Cologne has a rich history, having operated for several hundred years before being abolished in 1798 by the French First Republic. However, it was re-established in 1919 with the support of the Cologne City Council and the Prussian government. The university has produced several notable alumni, including four Nobel Laureates, eleven Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize winners, and seven Humboldt Professorship winners. It is consistently ranked among the top German universities in the world and is known for its strong faculties of law and economics.

The University of Cologne is committed to creating, preserving, and disseminating knowledge. It aims to provide high-quality education and training for students and young academics while encouraging top-level research to address changing societal challenges. The university has established itself as a leader in economics and regularly ranks highly in national and international rankings for law and business. Its comprehensive range of degree programs and strong reputation make it an attractive option for students seeking a well-rounded and highly regarded education.

Frequently asked questions