Inform yourself about the Master programme that interests you. In particular, read the information on admission regulations for the respective programme.

Collect all the documents you need for the application, explained down below.

If you have obtained your university degree outside Germany, you must submit a preliminary review documentation (VPD) issued for the University of Cologne from uni-assist.

Please note:

• Experience shows that this process takes around six to eight weeks. Threfore, we recommend requesting the VPD as early as possible, not later June, 1^st 

• Requesting a VPD to uni-assist does not count as an application for a Master program

• You do not have to specify the study program of your choice in the application for the VPD. The VPD is valid university-wide for applications to all programs at the University of Cologne.

• A VPD is only valid for one university, thus, you can only apply at the University of Cologne if the VPD is issued for the University of Cologne. For applications at other german Universities, you might need another VPD.

Complete the application form for your chosen Master programme:

• Master of Science in Computational Biology
• Master of Science in Ecology, Evolution, and Environment (no application form needed)
• Master of Science in Genetics and Biology of Aging and Regeneration
• Master of Science in Molecular Plant and Microbial Sciences
• Master of Science in Neuroscience

Prepare one single PDF-file that compiles copies of diplomas, certificates and transcripts of record, providing full details of the degree, the grades you have obtained, and the courses/modules you have taken. Module description may be included to proof the biological content and practical training.

If you have not yet completed your Bachelor degree, at least 80% of the maximum credits must be certified as of the application deadline.

If you have completed or started an additional study programme, e.g. a different Master programme, please prepare a second PDF-file that compiles all documents that certify the completion and/or study progress as well as the content of this program.

Please note that applicants already holding a Master degree in Biology that was issued by a German University cannot be admitted.

Prepare a CV (curriculum vitae) in English including your address, e-mail, education (including high school education and all university study programs, whether completed or not). Please include the contact details of two academic referees who are able to comment in detail on your capacity to cope with the academic demand of the program.

If applicable, the CV should include professional experience and other activities, publications, awards, and additional qualification, etc.

Non-native English speakers need to demonstrate upper level B2 English proficiency, according to European standard by submitting either:

• TOEFL: Paper-based 580 / Computer-based 237 / Internet-based 93
• IELTS-Test: 6.5, level of each subcomponent at least 6.0
• Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First, Cambridge English Scale 175
• TOEIC: 460 (listening), 425 (reading) / 170 (writing), 175 (speaking)
• German Abiturzeugnis/Hochschulzugangsberechtigung, specifying at least 6 years of English classes
• Evidence of having completed a High School or Bachelor programme taught in English.

Submit your School leaving certificate (High School diploma, A Levels etc.).

All applicants submit the required documents (listed above) via KLIPS. There is no need to submit paper documents. Applicants with a non-german Bachelor degree must also submit the preliminary review documentation (VPD) which was obtained from uni-assist e.V. via KLIPS.

Note: Bachelor students from the University of Cologne use their existing KLIPS account, external applicants have to create a new account.

After the application deadline has passed, we will review your application for formal and subject-related criteria:

1. Formal review: Are all documents complete and correct in form? Is the minimum grade of 2.7 achieved? Are the language criteria (English B2) fulfilled? Have at least 80% of the maximum Bachelor credits already been achieved?
2. Subject-related review: Have sufficient credit points been earned in the required subjects for the respective degree programme?

You can view the result of the examination under the self-service view in KLIPS.

After reviewing the applications, the Admission Committee meets and decides how many admissions are granted.

Admission letters are then sent via e-mail.

If you fulfill all the admission criteria but you have not received an admission letter, the number of suitable students is higher than the number of places that can be offered.

After the enrolment deadline for accepted students, we check whether there are still places available on the individual Master programmes. If this is the case, a move-up procedure takes place and further admission letters are being sent.

Letters of rejection will not be sent out before October, because the entire admission and enrolment process is only completed by then. Letters of rejection are sent out for all applications in which no admission was granted - even if applicants have been admitted in another Master programme already. Unless you have not received a rejection letter, there is still a chance that you will be offered a place on a Master programme for which you have applied in a move-up procedure.

To apply for a higher semester, you have to prove that you have acquired similar contents to a similar extent in your previous Master programme as you would have in your desired Master program. Your acknowledgements will be reviewed by the admission committee deciding whether you are able to entry a higher semester or not. Entry into a higher semester is only possible if places are available in the respective semester cohort.

Application deadlines:

• summer term (2^nd or 4^th semester): 15^th of March
• winter term (3^rd semester): 15^th of September