Profile
From the outset, students at the University of Cologne benefit from our strong alliance between the realms of excellent research and teaching. One of the university’s core concerns is the promotion of an academic habitus that is characterized by critical, reflective and rational thinking and action. This is achieved by combining excellent basic research with applied science and – depending on the degree programme in question – research- and career-oriented training. With this approach, we aim to honour our social responsibilities and help shape the world through the broad range of subjects we offer. Our diverse range of activities in the area of transfer also bear witness to this intention.
Academic career and development opportunities are a top priority at the University of Cologne, so that we can help to promote young academics as effectively as possible. The career development of our academics at every stage represents a key concern for us. The University of Cologne has established various facilities to provide individual support and advice at all career stages. The Albertus Magnus Center provides comprehensive information, training, and advisory services for all those seeking a doctorate as well as for doctoral students, postdocs, tenure-track and junior professors. At the Cologne Leadership Academy, scientists and academics can develop and expand their leadership skills.
International
The University of Cologne seeks to establish cooperation with the best scientists and academics across the globe and recruits excellent students and doctoral candidates from all over the world. Global cooperation contributes to finding answers to scientific questions and solutions to social challenges.
In addition, the university invests in academic exchange programmes and establishes international connections for its students, researchers, faculty and employees in technology and administration.
The University of Cologne ...
- has more than 500 cooperation agreements worldwide
- is part of the Turkish-German University in Istanbul
- has more than 90 university partnerships
- is linked to 40 other traditional European universities as part of the Coimbra Group
- heads the European University for Well-Being, an alliance of eleven European universities funded by the European Commission
- is a member of the Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED) with 179 universities and research centres in 25 countries around the Mediterranean
- has three international liaison offices: New York, New Delhi and Beijing
- has two international coordination offices: Cairo and Accra
- is the main supporter of three German Centers for Research and Innovation (DWIH) in New Delhi, New York and San Francisco
- is an associate supporter of two DWIH: São Paulo and Tokyo
- is associated with 34 universities as a member of the CEMS Global Alliance in Management Education
Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discrimination
The University of Cologne is actively committed to diversity and equal opportunities and promotes an organizational culture in which the individual, social and cultural diversity in our range of students and staff is valued as a strength and a mark of quality.
Its equal opportunities strategy covers the issues of gender equality and family awareness, as well as educational equality, inclusion of people with disabilities and chronic illnesses and work against discrimination, in particular anti-Semitism, racism and queer hostility.
Sustainability
Sustainability is an overarching topic that will have a particular influence on the shape of future research, education and innovation activities. We at the University of Cologne wish to address these challenges and contribute to providing solutions.
Part of the university sustainability strategy adopted in 2023 is the expansion of the use of sustainable energy sources. Alongside switching over to green electricity, this also includes the opening of a bike station with 1,100 free parking spaces. In addition, the University of Cologne is committed to sustainability in food production, fair trade relationships and working conditions, and we have received the ‘Fairtrade University’ award for our efforts in this regard.