You are planning to study one or two semesters in Cologne? International students are always welcome to KISD.
Exchange students at KISD study in the project-based Bachelor/Master »Integrated Design«. Except for a few events that are only offered to students in the exchange program, you study together with regularly enrolled students from different semesters and select projects in different areas of expertise. You will largely create your own semester program.
To prepare for studying at KISD, different steps should be undertaken before and after your departure. On the following pages you will find information.
Here you will find a fact sheet with all overview information to studying abroad at KISD: Fact Sheet for KISD.
Your home university nominates you via Mobility Online (MobO). Here are the deadlines of nomination:
April 15th for the winter semesterOctober 15th for the summer semester.
After your home university has nominated you via MobO, the application deadline via the same platform is as follows:
May 1st for the winter semester, November 1st for the summer semester.
As an exchange student you will study in the »Integrated Design« program. You will be able to choose out of our 12 areas of expertise the basis for an interdisciplinary and project-oriented design program, in which you can develop your individual main focus.
A new curricular calendar is published at the beginning of each semester with new projects and seminars. As an exchange student, you choose course units from this curricular calendar having the opportunity to adjust your semester to your interests within a certain framework. The new curricular calendar will be available on our website in August (winter semester) / in January (summer semester).
As soon as the new calendar is published, we will send you an email with further instructions about the course selection at KISD.
In general, studies at the KISD are project-oriented. Besides these projects, studies are characterized by scientific seminars which are accompanied by lectures, technical seminars, and workshop introductions. Additional courses are also offered for example for short-term projects in order to teach specific know-how within a short period of term. The spectrum is completed by student workgroups in which students contribute to everyday life at KISD.
All students at KISD get credits (ECTS) for their courses. The European Credit Transfer Accumulation System (ECTS) is based on the principle that 30 credits measure the workload of one semester. For international students, it varies and depends on the specification of the home university. Please check with your home coordinator before departure how many credit points you have to achieve during your semester abroad.
At our official Welcome Meeting at the very beginning of the semester, you will get additional advice from us and have the chance to finalize your study plan.
Welcome Meeting
The official welcome meeting will take place in September and March of each year. Make sure you arrive at least one week before this meeting takes place. In this meeting you will be welcomed by the Dean and Director and get to know the International Committee as well as other KISDstudents.
Cologne Resources
At the beginning of October »Cologne Resources« project starts. This is a compulsory one-week project for all the freshmen students at KISD and new exchange students. You will get to know the resources of KISD and Cologne, and will have a chance to work in a small group with one professor as supervisor of the project. The subjects of these projects vary from professor to professor in his/her respective field of teaching. On Friday, you will have your first public presentation.
Project and seminar start
One week later, the regular projects and seminars start. Please check the curricular calendar and make sure to come in time to the first meetings: Always at the first meeting of a project, the final decision will be made regarding who can join the project: if you are not present, someone else will get your place.
Exchange Program
There is an obligatory mentoring program for exchange students. You will be informed which professor will supervise you as a mentor. During the semester we will also have meetings with all exchange students. The International AG will organize international nights and excursions – for this, we will need your ideas and support!
On this website our Department of International Affairs provides detailed information concerning your stay here at KISD, TH Köln, such as accommodation, semester fees, insurance and other essential aspects.
International Committee at KISD
Our International Committee (IC) is responsible and in charge of all different international matters related to KISD. Taking care of the student exchange and our strategic partner universities is one of the main tasks of the IC. In case of a high demand of students the Committee decides about the placements at our partner universities. The IC consists of two to four professors, the International Relations Office, the Student & Guest Advisor, and one to two student representatives.
International AG
The International AG supports international students before and during their time at KISD and develops concepts for keeping in touch after studying in Cologne. In a strong collaboration with the International Relations Officer, the AG supports the international cooperations and activities at KISD.
International Relations Officer
Since 2008 the International Relations Officer is the first contact point at KISD for international requests. Lisa Janßen coordinates the communication with partner universities and informs exchange students, guest lecturers, and KISD students, who plan to study abroad.
Lisa Janßen
International Relations Officer
Room 123
+49 221 8275 3655
lisa.janssen@th-koeln.de
Student and Guest Advisor
Since 2016 Angelica Salcines acts as the Student & Guest Advisor. She is the first contact for international prospective and current exchange students and guests.
Angelica Maria Salcines de Oetz
Student & Guest Advisor
Room 121
+49 221 8275 3059
angelica_maria.salcines_de_oetz@th-koeln.de
Department of International Affairs
For all kinds of questions concerning housing, visa, health insurance or to get an advice about scholarships and fundings, please contact the Department of International Affairs TH Köln. They have an office in Claudiusstraße, so they are easy to reach to talk in person or you can send an email to international-affairs@th-koeln.de
Language Center
The Language Center at TH Köln offers different language courses, which can be interesting for international students who want to learn or improve their German and for degree seeking students who want to learn a new language or get prepared for their studies abroad. Usually a placement test is required.