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Fachhochschulen / HAW

Rheinische Hochschule Köln gGmbH

Köln,  Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

Founded
1971
Students
5,750
International
12%
Programmes
46

Admissions & fees

What it costs

RH Köln is a private university and charges tuition fees (Studiengebühren). Engineering bachelor programmes (Maschinenbau, Elektrotechnik, Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen) and the Technical Management master receive NRW state co-funding and require only the AStA student union contribution per semester. All other programmes carry monthly tuition instalments; specific amounts are published in the university's fee schedule (Gebührenordnung) available at rh-koeln.de/hubfs/RH-Gebührenordnung.pdf. There is no general non-EU surcharge distinct from the standard programme fee. Financing options include BAföG (for eligible residents), KfW student loans, the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship, and student employment.

Admission requirements

International applicants must submit their academic credentials through uni-assist e.V. for recognition and grade conversion - this is a paid service. There are no fixed application deadlines; the university advises applying as early as possible for better admission chances. Language requirements: most bachelor and master programmes are taught in German and require proof of German proficiency (exact level not published centrally - individual programme pages should be consulted). The MBA International Business requires English at B2 level; other English-taught or English-heavy master's programmes also recommend B2 English. APS certificate is required for applicants from India, China (PR, HK, Macau), and Vietnam as per general German visa and admission rules, prior to visa application.

Application deadlines

No fixed semester deadlines are published. The university explicitly states: 'We do not have specific deadlines - the earlier you submit your application, the greater your chances.' Applicants should apply well in advance of the intended semester start (Winter Semester: October; Summer Semester: April).

How international applicants apply

uni-assist pre-check of foreign HZB: applicants whose school-leaving certificate (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung) was earned abroad - and who have neither completed a Studienkolleg nor a first degree in Germany - must first submit their documents to uni-assist e.V., which performs the equivalence check for the Rheinische Hochschule (fee-based, no application deadline, allow several weeks). After a positive uni-assist result the applicant registers directly via the RH Koeln website/application portal; a positive uni-assist result alone does not guarantee admission (programme-specific selection still applies). Applicants with German qualifications apply directly without uni-assist.

Languages of instruction

The majority of programmes are taught in German. English-taught programmes at master's level include MBA International Business and Sustainable Engineering (M.Eng., launching Winter Semester 2026/27). Several other master's programmes such as International Business Administration, International Marketing and Media Management, and Technical Management include substantial English-language content and recommend B2 English proficiency. Bachelor courses in Business English (4 ECTS) and Technical English (5 ECTS) are available as modules for exchange students.

Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.

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