Cologne: Media Mecca and carnival capital

It may be a bustling metropolis and a media Mecca, but Cologne is also the place to be for students. Both on and off campus, the carnival capital is an open-minded place that’s full of possibilities – just ask its 85,000 students.

Cologne at a glance

Cologne on the Rhine, Photo: Steuer/DAAD

Cologne may not be the exact geographical center of the European Union, but it sure feels like it when you’re one of the one million inhabitants living in the Rhine-metropolis. While the locals may talk about the importance of living on one side of the river or the other, it actually doesn't matter – whether you’re trying to get around Cologne or planning a trip out of town, everything you need is within easy reach of the city center: subways, autobahns, the main train station and the international airport (great for cheap fares).
Cologne is always on the go: it’s host to 40 international trade fairs every year; it’s also a center for automobile production, insurance, the retail trade and, above all, publishing and media. Two of the largest TV stations, RTL and WDR, are based here as well as the award-winning Campus Radio "koelncampus".
The Locals are very passionate about their city and everything it is known for. Be it their beer the "Kölsch", the 1. FC Köln - their football team, which is playing in Bundesliga or of course the carnival in February/March. The latter is of such importance that it is even thought of as the "Fifth Season", which starts tradtionally on 11.11. each year. There are only two opinions about the craziest time of the year: You either love it and stay or you hate it and leave the city to avoid this colourful event.

Universities - Overview

University of Cologne

Cologne University, Photo: Abbis/DAAD

This traditional campus institution is located on the fringes of the city among the lawns of the green belt. It boasts a student body of 44,000 and has its share of well-known faculty members, too.
At the Laboratory for Economic Research – one of the largest laboratories in Germany – students can put their knowledge to the test. Knowledge transfer is a key feature of the university, with interdisciplinary education and research at the center of it. It’s also one of the few to combine all natural sciences in a single faculty, while the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science offers rich potential for cross-disciplinary research.
The university also has close ties to industry – both regional and international. A career center helps students get started and the OFW congress, a professional symposium, attracts luminaries such as Bill Gates.

University of Applied Sciences, Köln
16 600 students, 400 professors and 70 study programmes compose the biggest University of Applied Sciences in Germany. Founded in 1971 it has three campuses today: Köln, Gummersbach and Leverkusen.

Rheinische Fachhochschule Cologne (RFH) - University of Applied Sciences
Founded in 1971 as well the private university offers 20 bachelor and some master degree courses today in the fields of economics, law and engineeering.

The Cologne University for Music
Europe's largest university for music is divided into three departments: Cologne, Aachen and Wuppertal. In total, 1,500 students enjoy a classical musical education as well as the university's openness towards contemporary music, jazz and dance.

German Sport University Cologne (SpoHo)
Twenty-one faculties operate under the umbrella of German Sport University Cologne. It's Germany's one and only university for sports, offering diplomas and lectureship programs. Over 4,000 students are enrolled in this outstanding institution.

Academy of Media Arts Cologne (KHM)
Cologne is Germany's media city and an institution like the arts academy further underscores this fact. It was the country’s first arts university for audiovisual media and was featured in Fokus magazine's listings of the top five film schools. The KHM is as elite as it is small: 350 students have the privilege of studying there.

Internationale Filmschule Köln (ifs)
The Internationale Filmschule is the result of a partnership between the State Government and the Filmstiftung North Rhine-Westphalia and produces top-notch professionals for the film and television industry. Placing second in Fokus magazine's film school rankings, it offers Bachelor of Arts degrees and boasts famous teachers such as actor Klaus Maria Brandauer and director Tom Schlesinger.

Recreation in Cologne

Fans of Koelsch and the FC, Photo: Abbis/DAAD

Cologne Cathedral, one of the best-known architectural monuments in Europe, took over 600 years to complete. Situated right in the middle of the city center, the "Dom" is way more than just a building but an essential of this city. Building started in 1248 with the finishing touches coming as late as 1880.
One of the most popular places of many students is the Aachener Weiher, a pond located in the green belt close to the university. As soon as temperatures rise above 20 Degrees Celcius the barbeque season starts. Every weekend the lawns around the pond are flocked with students craving for a grilled sausage and a beer. Try some of the delicate, refreshing Koelsch! You can have it right on place or in one of the numerous "Brauhäuser" (brewhouses) in Cologne, each making their very own Koelsch.
Cologne is also a city of museums. There are numerous internationally renowned art collections as well as superb history museums that show the impressive past of this 2,000-year-old city.
With a vibrant mix of different people, Cologne's nightlife is bustling. There are many bars, pubs and discos in the different quarters of the city, one of the most popular student spots being the area around Zülpicher Street, close to the university.
It all starts on November 11 at 11:11 am. Carnival time! Although the real event comes months later, the kick-off in November gives an idea as to just how carnival crazy Cologne really is. By February, almost everybody is dressed up for the occasion and the streets and taverns are packed.
Just like everywhere else in Germany, soccer rules. Although Cologne's first club, 1. FC Köln, has lost its place in the first division, the fans never lose hope. As long as the cathedral stands, they’ll flock to the RheinEnergieStadion in their thousands.

Interview mit Lubos aus Slowenien

Lubos Chechvala hails from Slovakia and is studying Business Administration at the University of Cologne.

Lubos, Photo: private

Why have you decided to study in Cologne?
Cologne has a very good reputation concerning their study programmes in Business Administration. Also, I've been to this city before as a participant of a student exchange organised by my school and liked it back then already. The decision to study here was easy to make.

What was your first impression of Cologne?
It couldn't have been any better. Cologne has the nicest people of the world. Immidiately after my arrival I went for a walk without knowing anything about the city. I had to stop at almost every corner to have a look on my city map. Everytime people approached me and offered their help. That was the first time something like that has happened to me.
My new flat mates are also very kind. They offered me right away to drive me to the next furniture store, which was a big relief for me. At this very furniture store I wanted to pay with my credit card but my slovakian one didn't work. One of my flat mates safed me by paying for me. My appointments at the aliens authority etc. also went pretty well. I was not used to people being so friendly. It's different where I come from.

Is student life different at such a large university?
Definetely! It's more anonymous with 600 students sitting in the lecture hall. You gain a lot of freedom due to this fact but it also requires a lot more self-responsibility. Everyone is only taking care of themselves. It feels like moving from the countryside to a metropolis like New York City.

Have you already made friends at university?
Yes, I already got to know quite a lot of my fellow students. The orientation week at the beginning of my studies was very helpful to get in touch with others. I meet them in almost every seminar and they introduce me to other students. Or I approach others who seem somewhat familiar to me myself. In the end we are all new to this place and want to get to know people.

How do you feel about studying in Germany?
I think I have made the best choice of my life by studying in Germany. The conditions for my studies are very good. I have the feeling that my professors really care about me succeeding in my studies. Besides seminars and practical work we even have tutors, who go through everything that's been taught with us once more. I don't think that's a common thing. None of our professors has the intention to proof that he's better than us or tries to make it extra difficult. The opposite applies. Of course there's pressure on us because Cologne has a great reputation but I can handle that.

What about your free time and nightlife?
Already the university offers so many free time activities, some of them for free, that it is hard to decide what you actually want to do: Sports, dancing classes, language courses etc. You can get involved in so many different things and get in touch with the biggest global players. The nightlife in Cologne is awesome as well. There's such a huge variety of clubs and discos, that I won't make it to each and every single one of them during my time in Cologne. At the beginning, when you are new in town and don't know that many people, the university organises pub and club tours especially for the new students.

Which words describe Cologne the best in your opinion?
I totally agree with one of my lecturers who said: Cologne is simply wicked!