Overall the experience of the Universiy of Cologne is great – the city is friendly and fun, the competence among professors is high and there’s a good student community. In my subject which is sociology, it is the highest-ranked university in Germany according to Shanghai-Ranking. I really feel this in the quality of the classes. And, of course, this reputation is a big benefit when searching for jobs after completing the studies.

There is some advice I would like to give prospective students, especially if they like me are international students with no previous experience of the German university system or the German language:

– Book an appointment with the student service for help with your study planning in the beginning of your studies, the system is complex and more than once my plans have not worked out because I was unaware of certain rules.

– The system in which registration for courses and examinations take place is super complicated and – to be honest – really bad. Be sure to keep track of dates for registrations for examinations for your courses, if you miss it there’s no way to fix it after.

– The housing market in Cologne is tricky, be prepared for that. Make sure to sign up online for Studierendenwerk housing, first semester internationals are prioritized. But it’s more likely you’ll end up in a WG which is great for getting to know new people.

Other than that, just enjoy being in a place of high quality learning. And make use of the Mensa, for ca 3 € you get a really filling meal. Make sure to really experience the city of Cologne, it has great culture, the beautiful river and a super friendly and relaxed atmosphere.