If you are studying in Cologne, the Germany semester ticket (Deutschlandsemesterticket) is already part of the semester fee: €226.80 per semester, which is €37.80 per month. The total fee for the winter semester 2026/27 is €352.70 at TH Köln, and the AStA currently gives €355.65 for the University of Cologne. According to an analysis by the Moses Mendelssohn Institut and WG-Gesucht.de for the summer semester 2026, the average advertised rent for a shared flat room is €620.
What does studying in Cologne cost per semester?
Universities in Cologne include the University of Cologne, TH Köln and the German Sport University Cologne. The German Sport University states its own fee. At the university and at TH Köln, the semester fee is made up slightly differently.
| Item | University of Cologne | TH Köln (WS 2026/27) |
|---|---|---|
| Kölner Studierendenwerk (Cologne student services organisation) | €110.00 | €110.00 |
| Germany semester ticket | €226.80 | €226.80 (including KVB bike) |
| AStA contribution | €13.25 | €15.60 (including university sport and subject groups) |
| University sport | €2.00 | included in the AStA contribution |
| Subject groups (Fachschaften) | €3.60 | included in the AStA contribution |
| Solidarity contribution | €0.30 | |
| Total | €355.65 | €352.70 |
The figures for the university come from the AStA of the University of Cologne (in German). TH Köln publishes its figures on its page Fees and charges (in German). In the summer semester 2026, the fee there was €334.70, because the Germany ticket cost €208.80. The university lists 15 February for the summer semester and 15 July for the winter semester as payment deadlines.
How does the Germany semester ticket work in Cologne?
It applies nationwide to local and regional transport and is part of the semester fee. You pay for it per semester, not per month. In the winter semester 2026/27 it costs €226.80, which corresponds to €37.80 per month. In the summer semester 2026, the ticket share at TH Köln was €208.80. For 2027, the nationwide price of the Germany semester ticket has been set at €40.08 per month. Other options are described in Semester ticket and Germany ticket (in German).
How much does a shared flat room cost in Cologne?
The average advertised rent for a shared flat room was €620 per month in the summer semester 2026. That is well above the BAföG housing allowance of €380. The figures come from an analysis by the Moses Mendelssohn Institut and WG-Gesucht.de, which WG-Gesucht.de published (in German).
If you prefer a hall, the Kölner Studierendenwerk (in German) is your contact. It runs 90 residence halls with around 5,000 rooms in Cologne, Gummersbach and Leverkusen-Opladen. The guide Student hall or flat share (in German) helps you decide which form of housing suits you. For the search itself, see Finding a flat share and Finding an affordable flat while studying (both in German). What should be in the contract is covered under Rental contracts for students (in German). Whether housing benefit is an option instead of BAföG is explained in Housing benefit for students (in German).
What are the fixed costs per month?
Example: you study at the University of Cologne, are 24 years old, childless and statutorily insured. You live in a shared flat at the average price.
| Item | Amount per month |
|---|---|
| Shared flat room (average, summer semester 2026) | €620.00 |
| Semester fee of the university, €355.65 spread over six months, including ticket | €59.28 |
| Health insurance, basic contribution | €87.38 |
| Long-term care insurance, childless from 23 | €35.91 |
| Total without additional contribution, food and other expenses | €802.57 |
For comparison, the maximum BAföG rate for students under 30 with their own flat and their own insurance is €992 per month. One insurer calculates its additional contribution on €855. For planning the rest, see How much money do you really need per month (in German). For food, the canteen helps: the Cologne student services organisation introduced a new price structure on 1 September 2026 and is granting a 10% discount on main courses, side dishes and soups in October 2026. More on this in Student canteens: more than just lunch (in German).
Where do you apply for BAföG in Cologne?
The responsible office is the Office for Training Support (Amt für Ausbildungsförderung) of the Cologne student services organisation. In 2026 it is switching to a new specialist procedure, and it will presumably be unavailable for two calendar weeks. During this time, you can still submit applications via BAföG Digital, by email or in writing, and they keep the deadline. Advice appointments are available in person or by phone, and everything is set out on the BAföG page of the student services organisation (in German).
How the application works is explained in Applying for BAföG (in German). For amount and entitlement, read BAföG eligibility and amount (in German). The student services organisation also offers social counselling and psychological counselling (both in German).
Where can you find a part-time job in Cologne?
The Cologne student services organisation publishes vacancies on its page Student jobs in Cologne (in German), including positions within the organisation itself. The statutory minimum wage is €13.90 gross per hour in 2026, and the mini-job limit is €603 per month. If you want to work at the university, read Student assistant (in German). Other routes are described in Finding a part-time job as a student and Earning money alongside your studies (both in German).
What do you need to know about registration and a secondary residence?
If you move to Cologne, register your residence with the city. Ask the City of Cologne about the appointment, deadline and documents before you move. The city can also tell you whether a second-home tax applies to a secondary residence and how high it is. Clarify this before you decide between a main and a secondary residence. The steps around the move are described in Moving and registering when you start studying (in German).
How does health insurance work when you start in Cologne?
The rules apply nationwide. For enrolment, you need the confirmation of a statutory health insurer, and the process is described in Proof of health insurance for enrolment (in German). You can compare the additional contributions of the insurers under Additional contributions of health insurers (in German), and if you want to switch insurer later, Switching health insurer as a student (in German) helps. A complete overview is given in Health insurance for students: what you need to know (in German). For a discussion of choosing insurance, the Academycon homepage leads to advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the semester fee at the University of Cologne?
According to the AStA, it is currently €355.65. It contains €110 for the Kölner Studierendenwerk, €226.80 for the Germany semester ticket and smaller amounts for the AStA, university sport and subject groups. TH Köln charges a total of €352.70 for the winter semester 2026/27.
Is the semester ticket in Cologne included in the fee?
Yes. At the University of Cologne and at TH Köln, €226.80 per semester for the Germany semester ticket is included in the semester fee. It applies nationwide to local and regional transport.
How much does a shared flat room cost in Cologne?
In the summer semester 2026, the average advertised rent was €620 per month. Hall places are allocated by the Kölner Studierendenwerk.
Can I apply for BAföG in Cologne while the office is switched off?
Yes. Applications via BAföG Digital, by email or by post are possible during the 2026 changeover and keep the deadline. The office is presumably unavailable for two calendar weeks.
How to prepare for the first weeks
- Pay the semester fee by the university’s deadline: 15 February or 15 July.
- Retrieve the confirmation from your statutory health insurer for enrolment.
- Look for a hall place at the Kölner Studierendenwerk or a shared flat room.
- Submit a BAföG application via BAföG Digital if you could be entitled.
- Register your residence with the city and clarify the second-home tax.
You might also like
- Studying in Bonn (in German)
- Studying in Aachen (in German)
- Studying in Dortmund (in German)
- Studying in Germany: 30 university cities compared (in German)
- Checklist for the start of studies (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
