Faculty of Spatial Development & Infrastructure Systems: Questions and Answers for Incoming Students

You are formally eligible for a master’s program at the Faculty of Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems if you hold a bachelor’s degree in the field of engineering, natural sciences, geography, architecture or environmental sciences with a clear relation to the master program. Other study programs might be considered. You must show a strong relation (minimum 15 ECTS in relevant modules) to the desired field of study through your previous studies.

The required GPA for studying one of the master programs at the Faculty for Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems is 3.0 according to the German grading system (1 being the best grade, 4 being the minimum passing grade). Additionally, the selection board will evaluate all applications on a competitive basis.

The following documents must be submitted:

• Copy of your bachelor’s degree (including a Transcript of Records with individual grades)
• Copy of your school-leaving certificate (e.g. High School Diploma)
• Proof of English proficiency (e.g. TOEFL IBT 79; IELTS 6.0)
• For ENREM: proof of Spanish proficiency
• Motivation letter (1 page, English)
• Curriculum vitae
• Project idea for your master’s thesis (2 pages, in English)

No. You must have graduated at the time of application in order for all documents to be complete. Otherwise, your application cannot be considered.

A school-leaving certificate is the final diploma you receive after finishing your secondary education, usually including the grades of your last year in school. It qualifies you to study at university.

Yes, you still need to prove your English proficiency via an internationally recognized test. We accept the following certificates: IELTS (minimum score 6.0), TOEFL (minimum score 79), and Cambridge ESOL (minimum FCE). As native English speaker and in case you are a citizen of a country with English as official language, you need to prove that the language of instruction at both your school and university was English.

No, German language proficiency is not required for the application since the study program is conducted in English. However, we strongly recommend learning basic German (A2) before your arrival, so you will be able to manage bureaucracy and to participate in university life.

No. Applicants must submit all required documents by the end of the application period. We cannot make any exceptions.

No. Due to the high amount of applications we receive every year, we cannot give individual feedback during the application process.

Applicants from India, Vietnam or China need to provide an APS certificate upon application. An APS certificate is a document check of your academic history (grade transformation, authenticity check, evaluation of your specific university entrance qualification to German universities). It is needed to apply for your visa to Germany.

You are formally eligible for a master’s program at the Faculty of Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems if you hold a bachelor’s degree in the field of engineering, natural sciences, geography, architecture or environmental sciences with a clear relation to the master program. Other study programs might be considered. You must show a strong relation (minimum 15 ECTS in relevant modules) to the desired field of study through your previous studies.

Please note: only university graduates with at least two years of relevant professional experience after graduation can be considered for the scholarship.

The required GPA for studying at the Faculty for Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems is 3.0 according to the German grading system (1 being the best grade, 4 being the minimum passing grade). Additionally, the selection board will evaluate all applications on a competitive basis. For DAAD scholarship you have completed your academic degree with far average result (upper third).

Only university graduates from DAAD’s list of eligible countries can apply for the scholarship.

The following documents must be submitted:

• Copy of your bachelor’s degree (including a Transcript of Records with individual grades)
• Copy of your school-leaving certificate (e.g. High School Diploma)
• Proof of English proficiency (e.g. TOEFL IBT 79; IELTS 6.0)
• For ENREM: proof of Spanish proficiency
• Motivation letter (1 page, English)
• Curriculum vitae
• Project idea for your master’s thesis (2 pages, in English)

Additional required documents for DAAD scholarship applications:

• DAAD application form
• DAAD checklist
• 1 recommendation letter from your employer
• Certificate of your current employer
• Proof of 2 years of professional experience
• Recommended: German language proof of at least beginner’s level (A1)

You must have graduated at the time of application in order for all documents to be complete. Otherwise, your application cannot be considered.

This is a condition DAAD likes to see fulfilled, so other applicants are likely to be given preference. However, in case your application is very outstanding and convincing, it is possible that you may still be awarded a scholarship. The decision whether to apply or not is up to you.

A school-leaving certificate is the final diploma you receive after finishing your secondary education, usually including the grades of your last year in school. It qualifies you to study at university.

Yes, you still need to prove your English language skills with an internationally recognized test. We accept the following certificates: IELTS (minimum 6.0), TOEFL (minimum 79) and Cambridge ESOL (minimum FCE). If you are a native English speaker or a citizen of a country with English as an official language, you must prove that the language of instruction at both your school and university was English.

No, German language proficiency is not required for the application since the study program is conducted in English. However, we strongly recommend learning basic German (A2) before your arrival, so you will be able to manage bureaucracy and to participate in university life.

Applicants must submit all required documents by the end of the application period. We cannot make any exceptions.

No. Due to the high amount of applications we receive every year, we cannot give individual feedback during the application process.

Applicants from India, Vietnam or China need to provide an APS certificate upon application. An APS certificate is a document check of your academic history (grade transformation, authenticity check, evaluation of your specific university entrance qualification to German universities). It is needed to apply for your visa to Germany.

NRM/IWRM/REM

German applicants/Foreign applicants with a German bachelor’s degree: You have to apply online via TH Köln's campus management system. The application period is from early May to June 12th (subject to change)

Applicants with a foreign bachelor’s degree: You have to apply online via Uni-Assist. The application period is from early February to March 31st.

IWRM-MENA

German applicants/Foreign applicants with a German bachelor’s degree: The application period is between May 1st and June 10th of each year for admission in the same year. You have to apply via online registration form and via e-mail to IWRM-MENA-application@th-koeln.de

Applicants with a foreign bachelor’s degree: The application period is between February 1st and March 31st of each year for admission in the same year. You have to apply via online registration form and via e-mail to IWRM-MENA-application@th-koeln.de.

ENREM

All applicants: The application deadline is on January 31st of each year. You have to apply via e-mail to info-enrem@th-koeln.de and pmpca@uaslp.mx.

The entire application process is online; therefore, your documents do not need to be certified. Please upload scans of your original documents. We reserve the right to check these documents during the enrollment period.

If your documents are issued in a language other than German or English, you are required to submit a translation into German or English by a sworn translator in addition to your original documents.

The research proposal should be written in a scientific way (references, correct quotation and reference list at the end) - shortly introducing the topic, a problem statement, potential methods to apply in the research and expected outcomes (if possible). The research idea should be in line with the goal of the master’s program the subject must be of importance regarding the current scientific discussion.

• German applicants/ Foreign applicants with a German bachelor’s degree: The entire application process is free of charge.
• Applicants with a foreign bachelor’s degree: Depending on your home country, Uni-Assist charges between 55 and 75 euros for your application.

• German applicants/ Foreign applicants with a German bachelor’s degree:
• TH Köln will inform you about the final admission results in July. Please wait until TH Köln contacts you about the results of the selection process; we cannot offer any individual feedback until the process is finished.
• Applicants with a foreign bachelor’s degree: Uni-Assist can take up to 6 weeks after applying to process your application. TH Köln will inform you about the final admission results by mid/end of June. Please wait until TH Köln contacts you about the results of the selection process; we cannot offer any individual feedback until the process is finished.
• ENREM: TH Köln will inform you about the final admission results in March. Please wait until TH Köln contacts you about the results of the selection process; we cannot offer any individual feedback until the process is finished.

Please note: acceptance to the master's program does not guarantee a scholarship.

NRM/IWRM/REM

The application period is from August 1st to September 30th of each year for admission in the following year. You have to apply via online registration form and via e-mail to application-daad@th-koeln.de

IWRM-MENA

The application period is from September 1st to November 15th of each year for admission in the following year. You have to apply via online registration form and via e-mail to IWRM-MENA-application@th-koeln.de

ENREM

The application deadline is on January 31st of each year. You have to apply via e-mail to info-enrem@th-koeln.de and pmpca@uaslp.mx

The entire application process is online, therefore your documents do not need to be certified. Please send scans of your original documents. We reserve the right to check these documents during the enrollment period.

If your documents are issued in a language other than German or English, you are required to submit a translation into German or English by a sworn translator in addition to your original documents.

The research proposal should be written in a scientific way (references, correct quotation and reference list at the end) - shortly introducing the topic, a problem statement, potential methods to apply in the research and expected outcomes (if possible). The research idea should be in line with the goal of the master’s program the subject must be of importance regarding the current scientific discussion.

The entire application process is free of charge.

• NRM/IWRM/REM: TH Köln will inform you about the final admission results by the end of January. Please wait until TH Köln contacts you about the results of the selection process; we cannot offer any individual feedback until the process is finished.
• IWRM-MENA: TH Köln will inform you about the final admission results in April. Please wait until TH Köln contacts you about the results of the selection process; we cannot offer any individual feedback until the process is finished.
• ENREM: TH Köln will inform you about the final admission results in March. Please wait until TH Köln contacts you about the results of the selection process; we cannot offer any individual feedback until the process is finished. Please note that acceptance to the master's program does not guarantee a scholarship.

The course starts mid-September of each year (also see the TH Köln Academic Calendar). We suggest for students coming from abroad to arrive a few days earlier to arrange individual administrative issues.

Overall, we recommend to calculate at least around € 992 a month, including health insurance, as this is the amount the German government calculates as basic need for German students within their Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz (BAföG). Furthermore, we would like to point out that the monthly expenses can vary depending on the rental costs and your own needs.

There are more than 90 dormitories with about 4.900 places that are run by The Kölner Studierendenwerk (KSTW). The different options include mixed dormitories, flat shares and small apartments. However due to high demand, a place is not guaranteed, so we strongly advise you to look for other options as well.

More information on accommodation

There are no tuition fees. There is a semester fee of around € 330 per semester. This fee includes a semester ticket, which allows you to use public transport in Cologne and regional trains throughout Germany.

There are different possibilities to attend a German language course

• German as a foreign language course at TH Köln
• German as a foreign language course at VHS (German equivalent of a community college)
• German as a foreign language cours at private institutions

All master's programs at the Faculty of Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems (IWRM, NRM, REM) have an international character and are designed to support and promote your studies abroad.

Further information on the faculty's study programs abroad

You can find all relevant information on our website. Take your time to navigate through the different pages. Should you have any further questions, we can assist you via e-mail, telephone or in person.

Please send an email to the respective MSc program

• Renewable Energy Management: info-rem@th-koeln.de
• Natural Resources Management: info-nrm@th-koeln.de
• Integrated Water Resources Management and Integrated Water Resources Management – MENA: info-iwrm@th-koeln.de
• Environment and Resources Management: info-enrem@th-koeln.de