Your first point of contact for any administrative matters – be it as a current student, prospective student, applicant, or graduate – is the Faculty’s central Student Service Point, which offers a number of services, such as issuing transcripts, advice on administrative procedures, or support with using KLIPS.

For any academic matters, you may also contact the executive manager of the Department.

Advice on financing your studies and social matters, such as housing or child daycare, is available at the Werk Student Services.

The Faculty has compiled additional information on scholarships, student loans, and financial support offered by a variety of organisations.

The Faculty’s Alumni Centre offers advices for both students and alumni on applications and can give you useful pointers for optimising your CV.

The University’s Professional Center regularly offers careers development workshops and events (mostly in German).

Even though not all examination regulations provide for a compulsory internship, the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences explicitly encourages students to pursue internships that complement their degree. The Student Service Point is able to provide letters of endorsement to students who want to do an internship.

There are a number of opportunities to study abroad as a student at the politics department – ranging from a semester abroad to a full international double Master’s degree programme. Your key point of contact is the Faculty’s International Office. The University has an International Office as well, which provides additional information and funding options.
Also note the general information on exchange programmes and partnerships.

If you are an incoming exchange student at the University of Cologne or if you are interested in spending a term abroad here, you can find information and advice at the International Office.

Language courses

Non-native speakers can take German langauge courses at the Department of German as a Foreign Language.

Other language courses offered by the University’s Professional Center require proficiency in German.

Skills training

The University Library offers literature research training and one-on-one advice on literature research. You may of course also contact the staff at the department’s library.

The Regional Computing Centre offers IT courses on a variety of topics.

Additional professional training offered by the Professional Center require proficiency in German.

The Regional Computing Centre (RRZK) offers support with configuring and using the IT services offered by the University (email, Wi-Fi, VPN). There are also a number of additional services provided by the RRZK, for example concessional access to software.

In case of any technical issues with KLIPS, please contact the Student Service Point or send an email to klips-wisouni-koeln.de.

The Gender, Equality, and Diversity Office provides information and advice regarding diversity and equality at the University of Cologne.

The Service Centre for Inclusion offers a guide for studying with a disability or chronic or mental illness.
The IBW building, where most classrooms and offices of the Politics Department are located, has an accessible doorway, two accessible toilets, as well as five accessible parking spaces. Further information on accessibility of amenities in the area around the department’s various sites is available on Wheelmap.org.

If you have witnessed or been a victim of discrimination or mobbing at the University of Cologne, the Gender, Equality, and Diversity Office can provide advice, guidance, and further contacts. You can also contact one the Faculty’s liaison lecturers.

Studying can be stressful for a variety of reasons. If you are struggling with your studies due to mental health problems, the university’s Empower project can offer some initial advice and orientation (currently only in German).

If you are having difficulties making friends or suffer from exam anxiety, the Werk Student Services offer psychological counselling.

Oftentimes, it can help just to have someone to talk to about your problems. Nightline is a student-run, free-of-charge telephone counselling service where fellow students lend you an ear.