FAQs
- Whom should I contact if I wish to apply?
- What do I have to do to get a fellowship? Can I apply for admission without a fellowship as well?
- Is it sufficient if I just send my C.V. as an attachment?
- I have not received any feedback on my application. What can I do?
- When will I be informed about the status of my application?
- What does "waiting list" mean?
- Do I need a visa, and if yes, what type?
- How do I get a visa?
- When does the programme begin and when is the best time to arrive at Cologne?
- Will I be helped after the arrival at the airport or station?
- Where will I live?
- What about registration and visa prolongation?
- What about health insurance?
- When will I receive my first money?
- How much money should I bring with me?
- What about a bank account?
- What do I need for university enrollment?
- Is there a possibility, or do I even have to learn German?
- How are the student's rooms equipped?
- Can I bring my husband/wife with me, and can they work in Germany?
- Will all costs regarding my travel to Cologne be reimbursed?
- How is the climate at Cologne?
- What if I have further questions?
- Whom should I contact if I wish to apply?
In all matters concerning your application, you should address all your inquiries to the applications office, ideally by E-Mail: bio-gradschool@uni-koeln.de
- What do I have to do to get a fellowship? Can I apply for admission without a fellowship as well?
All applicants are by default considered for a Graduate School fellowship. However, if you already have a secure source of funding (e.g. governmental, exchange or research institution fellowship), indicate this in your application. Even if we do not offer you a fellowship, you may still be accepted as "Associate".
- Is it sufficient if I just send my C.V. as an attachment?
No. Every month, we receive dozens of "mass" application e-mails, with an attached C.V. This type of application - with no obvious specific interest - is generally ignored and left unanswered. You will only be registered as applicant – and considered for admission - if you submit the application form, your C.V. and copies of transcripts.
- I have not received any feedback on my application. What can I do?
Usually, we communicate your registration by E-Mail within 3 to 5 days after receipt. Weekends and bank holidays (especially Christmas and New Year) or technical problems may prolong our usual response times. If you have not received feedback after a week, use the following scheme:
Check whether you have sent your application to “bio-gradschool@uni-koeln.de”. If not, resend your application./ Did you specify your E-Mail address correctly in the application form? If not, send us a mail with the correct address, your name and date of birth in the message text./ If both E-Mail addresses are correct, but you still haven’t heard from us: Use the E-Mail form under “Contact and staff” to send an inquiry, fax us or call us (workdays between 9.a.m and 5 p.m. German time).
- When will I be informed about the status of my application?
In general we keep all applications until after the selection workshop. If you did not make it to the first shortlist we will try to inform you after a couple of weeks after the application deadline.
- What does "waiting list" mean?
Every year, we have a "shortlist" of 30-40 candidates with excellent qualifications – from these only the ones who perform very well during the interviews and workshop will receive an offer. If we have more excellent candidates than fellowships these are placed on a waiting list. If one of the selected fellows has to step down, the fellowship is offered to one of the candidates on the waiting list. Also, if a position outside of the Graduate School becomes available, the responsible group leader may ask the Graduate School to recommend waiting list candidates.
- Do I need a visa, and if yes, what type?
Please check the section “Supplementary information” to find out whether you need a visa or not.
- How do I get a visa?
You have to submit in person an application for a student visa to the respective German mission abroad. Immediately after acceptance, we will send by courier to you a formal letter of admission (in English) and a letter of reference for the German mission (in German). As soon as you receive these documents, you should apply for the visa. Although the visa isssuing process is usually completed within ten working days, it may sometimes take several weeks.
- When does the programme begin and when is the best time to arrive at Cologne?
Please arrive at least a week before the programme starts.
- Will I be helped after the arrival at the airport or station?
This is simple. Just inform us about your arrival date and time, and we will pick you up at the airport/train station and guide you to your place.
- Where will I live?
We try to provide student's rooms for you for the first weeks or months, which of course always depends on availability. Then we will assist you to find private lodging.
- What about registration and visa prolongation?
During the "start-up-week", we will accompany you to register with the local authorities and to obtain your "title of residence".
- What about health insurance?
You will have a student's health insurance for about 60 EUR/month. However it takes usually some days before you are registered with an insurance company. Please purchase a travel insurance for two months in your home country before you enter Germany.
- When will I receive my first money?
Your first months scholarship will be paid in cash as soon as possible after your arrival (working days only).
- How much money should I bring with me? What credit cards are accepted?
You will receive your first fellowship money shortly after your arrival, so that 300 EUR should do. Credit cards (notably Master's and VISA) are widely accepted in hotels, department stores travel agencies, gas stations etc., but rarely at your grocery store around the corner. Traveller's cheques (in EUR or US$) are a safe alternative to cash.
- What about a bank account?
You will need a bank account and we will help you with the opening of an account after your arrival
- What do I need for university enrollment?
- detailed curriculum vitae (signed)
-your highschool diploma or qualification of admission to higher education
-your university degrees
-a copy of your master thesis (if your master thesis is not written in English, prepare an English summary and sign it
-transcript of records (credits, academic records)
-photographs (as in your passport)
- Is there a possibility, or do I even have to learn German?
You will take German classes, so that you can acquire knowledge of the German language necessary for every day life (shopping etc.) .
- How are the student's rooms equipped?
You will find a bed with a mattress but no blankets, a table, a chair, and a wardrobe. In most cases, cooking facilities and bathroom are shared with other students. Cooking vessels and dishes are not provided.
- Can I bring my spouse with me, and can they work in Germany?
Yes, you can. But be aware that, when entering Germany as an "accompanying spouse", your husband/wife is not entitled to apply for a work permit (For EU residents, different regulations apply). If you need information on the current legal situation, please visit the website of the German Federal Foreign Office and inquire at the respective German mission, if necessary.
- Will all costs regarding my travel to Cologne be reimbursed?
We will reimburse all direct travel costs, provided that you choose the least expensive travel option (i.e. flight/train ticket in 2nd/economy class only). Excess luggage fees cannot be refunded!
If you wish to bring larger/heavier personal belongings to Cologne, ship them with normal or surface mail (you can even send mail in advance, using the mailing address of the Graduate School). English-language textbooks are of course available in our library, and can also be purchased easily at the university bookstores.
- What is the climate in Cologne?
Cologne's climate is moderate, sub-atlantic. In summer (i.e. June to September) day temperatures can vary between 15°C and 35°C. Stable highs may provide weeks of hot and dry weather, but you may also experience shorter periods of cool days with summer rains. The winter is comparatively mild, temperatures may drop below 0°C occasionally (or, in cold years, for two to three weeks) but snow is rare in Cologne (although more common in the surrounding countryside).
- What if I have further questions?
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