Technische Hochschule Köln

TH Köln is a public university in NRW and charges no tuition fees for most programmes, regardless of nationality. All enrolled students pay a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) covering administrative fees, the Deutschlandticket (nationwide public transport pass), and student union charges. The contribution for Winter Semester 2026/2027 is €352.70; for Summer Semester 2026 it was €334.70. Exceptions apply to a small number of specialised master's programmes: Game Development and Research and 3D Animation for Film & Games charge programme-specific tuition of €1,500/semester for EU citizens and €2,500/semester for non-EU students (plus a €200 enrolment fee), in addition to the standard semester contribution.

International applicants must hold a university entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung) recognised for German university admission; TH Köln directs applicants to the anabin database and the DAAD Admission Requirements database to verify eligibility. Applicants whose qualifications do not permit direct entry must typically complete a Studienkolleg (German foundation year) first. For German-taught programmes, German language proficiency of at least C1 is required at application stage; enrolment requires DSH 2 level (or equivalent: TestDaF ≥ 16 points total, telc C1 Hochschule, Goethe-Zertifikat C2, ÖSD C2). English-taught programmes require proof of appropriate English proficiency as specified by the individual programme. Applications are submitted via the uni-assist service or directly through TH Köln's online platform, depending on the programme. Individual programme pages list exact deadlines under "How to Apply" — no consolidated deadline table is published centrally; applicants should check programme pages early as uni-assist deadlines are typically earlier than TH Köln's own deadlines. Note for Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese applicants: an APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) certificate is required by the German visa authorities before a student visa can be issued; TH Köln itself does not mention APS in its public-facing admissions pages, but applicants from these countries must obtain it independently before applying for the visa.

TH Köln does not publish a single central deadline table. Deadlines vary by programme and are listed on each programme's individual page under the "How to Apply" section. The university notes that uni-assist submission deadlines are typically earlier than TH Köln's own deadlines. Applications for Winter Semester 2026/2027 were open as of early 2026. Applicants should consult individual programme pages and factor in additional processing time if applying via uni-assist.

The majority of programmes are taught in German. TH Köln offers 16 degree programmes taught entirely in English, almost all at master's level (e.g. Automation & IT, Communication Systems and Networks, Digital Games, Digital Sciences, Game Development and Research, Integrated Water Resources Management, International Business and Global Transformation, Natural Resources Management and Development, Renewable Energy Management, Serial Storytelling, 3D Animation for Film & Games, and others). One bachelor's programme — Digital Games — is also taught in English. German-language programmes require at least C1 German at the time of application and DSH 2 (or equivalent: TestDaF total ≥ 16 points, telc C1 Hochschule, Goethe C2) for enrolment. English-taught programmes have no German-language entry requirement; English proficiency requirements are set by individual programmes.