Preliminary review documentation (VPD) for applications with international degrees
Diagram - External applications with an international (Bachelor’s) degree
FAQ | Application
The formal application procedure depends on the country in which the previous degree was obtained.
Applications with national degree: Students who completed their previous degree (usually a Bachelor) at the University of Cologne or at another German university apply exclusively via the university's internal campus management portal KLIPS 2.0.
- The application for all programmes usually start on 1. December for the summer term and 2 June for the winterterm.
In your own interest, please apply as soon as possible. An early admission will help you to start your studies in time.
Deadlines are: 15 January for the summer term and 15. July for the winterterm for all Master's degree programmes and all applicant groups. The deadline for programmes without restriction might be prolonged, please watch the homepage.
Students who have not completed their previous degree (usually a Bachelor) at a German university, but have a foreign degree, please also obtain information here: https://portal.uni-koeln.de/en/international/study-in-cologne/international-applications/master-students-prospective
Applications with an international degree:
If you obtained your Bachelor's degree outside of Germany, please note the two-stage application procedure!
1. application for a preliminary review documentation (VPD) at uni-assist
Processing time is approx. 6 - 8 weeks. Please apply for the VPD as early as possible before the application deadline at the UzK. In order to participate in the application procedure for the summer term, the documents for the VDP examination should be submitted to uni-assist four or six weeks before the deadline of the application at the latest, for summer terms till beginning of December, for winter terms till beginning of June.
2. application via the application portal of the UzK Klips 2.0:
- from 1 December for summer terms and 2 June for winter terms. Application for Culture and Environment in Africa starts earlier.
In your own interest, please apply as soon as possible. An early admission will help you to start your studies in time.
Deadlines winterterm 2025/26: 15 July 2025 for all Master's degree programmes and all applicant groups, maybe prolonged for programmes withour restrictions. Please keep checking the homepages for any changes that may occur at short notice!