International Business (Bachelor's program) – How to Apply

"Fachhochschulreife" (academic and practical part) or "Abitur" or an equivalent (international) degree

or

Applicants who do not hold one of the degrees mentioned above can apply as vocationally qualified individuals:
Vocationally qualified individuals with advanced further training (e.g. "Meister" or "Fachwirt") or vocational qualification in a related field (vocational training and at least 3 years of work experience) [Information on this type of application is currently only available in German]

or

Entrance examination for vocationally qualified individuals with vocational qualification in a different field [Information on this type of application is currently only available in German]

Applicants with degrees obtained outside of Germany: please note the information on admission requirements.

Language proficiency

Proof of German language proficiency
Applicants need to submit evidence of their German language proficiency (at least level B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)) by submitting one of the following documents:

- DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang): DSH 1
- TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache): at least three points in each part
- ÖSD (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch): Zertifikat B1
- Goethe-Zertifikat B1
- at least one German intermediate-level school-leaving qualification (Mittlere Reife, Fachoberschulreife, Sekundarschulabschluss I, Realschulabschluss)
- a completed degree in German studies or applied linguistics from abroad with German as main subject

Proof of English language proficiency
Applicants need to submit evidence of their English language proficiency (at least CEFR level B2) by the time of entollment at the latest.

Proof is provided by the confirmation of CEFR level B2 by the awarding educational institution on the final certificate (secondary level up to the higher education entrance qualification or entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences, each completed with at least grade 4) or - if the final certificate does not contain such a confirmation - by one of the following recognizable certificates with the corresponding levels:

- Cambridge University (First Certificate English)
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System): at least 6.0 points
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language ibt): at least 80 points
- TELC: at least 73 points
- ISE (Integrated Skills in English, Trinity College London): ISE II - Merit
- UNIcert: level II
- PTE Academic: at least 66 points

Exception for the admission procedure in the winter semester 2025/2026:
If you do not have one of the English certificates mentioned above at the time of enrollment, your English language skills will be tested by the faculty in a personal interview. You will receive further information during the enrollment process.

This program participates in the Dialog-oriented Service Procedure (DoSV) offered by hochschulstart.de. This means that you need to register with hochschulstart.de before you can submit an application through TH Köln's campus management system (CaMS).

hochschulstart.de

Important: Make sure to read the information on DoSV.

You are required to apply through uni-assist. Since places will be allocated through the Dialog-oriented Service Procedure (DoSV), you need to register with hochschulstart.de before submitting your application through uni-assist.

Please note the information on the application process through uni-assist and the Dialog-oriented Service Procedure (DoSV).

uni-assist

hochschulstart.de