First Semester Information

** Updated July, 2023 **

Please check this website regularly, as we will update general information

We look forward to welcoming you at TH Köln (University of Applied Sciences) to join our master’s programs in Renewable Energy Management (REM), Natural Resources Management (NRM) and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).

Start of Winter Semester 2023/24

Further information

Get an overview of the TH Köln online systems, how to use them and much more. We recommend “Getting Started” (general TH Köln overview) as well as the video tutorials on CampusID, ILIAS and PSSO. Also check “Events” of the team international degree-seeking students to get informed about online consultation hours and workshops.

What’s next?

Login Data

After the enrollment at TH Köln you receive(d) two e-mails from our Campus IT with your login data to our PSSO system and your personal university e-mail address. Please check your spam folder as well! The sender is a no-reply-e-mail address! Follow the instructions given in order to activate your account.

ID Card

Moreover, you receive(d) a letter with your MultiCa (student ID card) together with information on how to pay the semester fees.You will find detailed information about enrollment here.

Semester Ticket (for Public Transport)

This letter is sent to the German address you have given in the enrollment form.
 After paying the semester fees and once they have been accredited to your account, you can download the semester ticket and use the public transport system in and around Cologne for free. Please have a look at the video tutorial how to download the semester ticket.

Fixed Dates and Deadlines

• Enrollment Deadline: Tuesday, 5 Sep 2023
  
• Start of welcome week: Monday, 25 Sep 2023
• Official Welcome of our new Master Students: Tuesday, 26 Sep 2023, 11:30-13:00, Campus Deutz, Lecture Hall 3 (Hörsaal 3)
  
• Start of all Winter Term classes: Monday, 2 Oct 2023
  

General Information

Semester Schedule

Please find the detailed semester schedule here.
Check the schedule regularly as changes may occur.

First Steps@TH Köln

Zoom Sessions for International First-year Students:
We highly recommend joining the Zoom sessions of the Department of International Affairs at TH Köln. They were specially created for first-year international students. Find further details here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Enrollment

The TH Köln student’s office prepared a FAQ with general questions regarding the enrollment procedure for international students. Find all information here.

Q: I have questions regarding the enrollment procedure.
A: The procedure is explained in your letter of admission and within the TH Köln Online portal. For general questions regarding the TH Köln Online portal and related processes, please see the online application platform.

Q: Under “Legal Information” I am informed that my admission is conditional, what does it mean?
A: This is a general legal chapter. It means that, in case you provided false information in order to receive admission, you will lose your admission status.  

Q: Is the enrollment deadline a fixed deadline?
A: Yes, in case you do not send all your enrollment documents to TH Köln in time you will lose your admission status. The deadline is mentioned in your letter of admission.

Q: In case I proceed with the enrollment but may not be able to come to Germany now, can I join in summer term 2024 or in winter term 2024/25?
A: This is possible as long as you pay your semester fees for winter term 2023/24, summer term 2024 and winter term 2024/25 to stay registered at TH Köln.

Q: Do I need to show a German health insurance to get enrolled at TH Köln?
A: Yes, this is a mandatory document. The Department for International Affairs prepared some further information for international students here.

Q: I need to give an address in Germany, can I also give an address outside Germany?
A: No, this is not possible. You need to show a German address; in case you are not in Germany, you can give an address of a friend/family member. It is important that this is a reliable address, as TH Köln will send you several important letters including your student-id card. TH Köln will send no letters outside Germany

Arrival to Germany

Q: When should I arrive in Cologne?
A: We recommend coming to Cologne by the beginning of September, in order to proceed with general administration steps within the city hall, the office for foreign affairs, the KSTW, etc. The master’s program will start with some general introduction sessions on 25 September, 2023. Lectures will start on 2 October, 2023.

Q: The German embassy in my country is closed and/or due to Covid-19 the visa processing takes a long time. Can I join also after 2 October, 2023?
A: Yes, we are aware that especially foreign students will face huge challenges in order to receive their visas in time. This year we will accept late arrivals in order to allow you to join our master’s program. There will be no fixed deadline until when you are asked to be in Cologne.

Q: The German embassy in my home country required a letter from TH Köln to confirm a late arrival in Germany. Who can prepare such a letter?
A: We are aware of such letters and will prepare them after request. In case you need a supporting letter for the German embassy, please send an e-mail to the master program Info-Mail: info-iwrm(at)th-koeln.de or info-nrm(at)th-koeln.de or info-rem(at)th-koeln.de

Q: For entering Germany I need a confirmation from Germany that classes will be offered in presence and that I need to attend in person. Do I still need to hand that in?
A: The German Federal Ministry of the Interior has announced, that entering Germany for completing a university course of study or for individual semesters of study is possible again:
“Students are required to present an admission notice issued by the institution of higher education. Because institutions of higher education are offering both online and in-person instruction, it is not necessary to provide any separate documentation of the need to attend in person.” (German Federal Ministry, Coronavirus, FAQ)
Therefore, the preparation of a corresponding letter is no longer necessary. In case your embassy/consulate requests this document for visa issuance, please forward proof of this request.

Q: How can I find accommodation in Cologne?
A: Cologne is a city with thousands of students, therefore the accommodation market for single apartments and places in student dorms are very contested. Please start searching for a place from now on. We do recommend that you register asap with the KSTW to apply for a room in a shared apartment. Further information is given here

Q: I would like to discuss my semester schedule and my individual plan with the university, whom can I contact?
A: Please join our information sessions for first-semester students on 26 September, 2023. If you have further individual questions afterwards, please send an e-mail to the info mail address of your master’s program. We will get in contact with you.

Contact

Q: How can I contact the master program organization?
A: Please send an e-mail to the master program you received admission.
Renewable Energy Management: info-rem(at)th-koeln.de
Natural Resources Management and Development: info-nrm(at)th-koeln.de
Integrated water Resources Management: info-iwrm(at)th-koeln.de

Please specify the reason of your mail in the subject. We will try to answer you mails as soon as possible.