On the way to study
How do I get an admission?
Prerequisite is the Abitur (or a comparable German university authorization). Also, one has to submit an application, which can be done through the “Klips”-Onlineportal for a double major Bachelor. For a single major Bachelor, you have to apply first through the DosV portal of Northrhine Westphalia and with the received application number again through the “Klips”-Onlineportal. The deadline is usually somewhere in the second half of July, so it would be best to already take care in June. The deadlines can be found here. After the application, one has to wait until the Student Service Center offers an admission.
The reason for this proceeding is that the number of student admissions for Archaeology is limited and that the openings are filled by the grade of the Abitur; but do not worry, in recent years, nobody who wanted to study Archaeology has been denied because of the N.C. All applicants have been offered a place to study the discipline.
What do I do afterwards?
The offered admission only has to be accepted. Further information on this can be found in the Email that is sent by the Student Service Center, such as the amount of the tuition fee and where it has to be transferred to. Lastly, one also has to register personally in Cologne and bring the diploma of the Abitur, which usually takes place in August and September. Starting with the winter semester, that officially begins on October 1st, one is a new student of the University of Cologne. Congratulations!
How do I start to study?
If you do not live in Cologne already, you should start to look for housing in Cologne with the admission at the latest. This is not always that easy! Additionally, you should figure out the financing (BAfÖG, etc.) and your insurance.
But what is just as important: There is no fixed schedule in Archaeology as you know it from school. Everybody puts together their own schedule from the offered classes. In the first semester, it should at least contain the introductory seminars and the accompanying tutorials. Students that have an additional major aside from Archaeology, should also take the equivalent classes from the other discipline; if one does not have a second major, other classes from Archaeology can be taken. The application to the classes is once again done through the Klips-System. The personal schedule should be ready by the start of the classes so you do not miss anything.
In the first week of classes (which begins Oct. 11th in 2021, and Oct. 4th in 2022), an informational event for all first-year students will take place to give important information for the start of your studies. At the same time, the classes will start. The first meeting of the class should not be missed because important information on the organization will be discussed. Further, it is advised that one shows up personally to all classes in Archaeology that one is interested in because the Klips-System sometimes declines applications although the lecturer will still admit student to the classes.
Who can I ask if I have any questions?
At the start of university many things can be new and not easily understandable at first. There are several points of contact that can be consulted. Questions on application and registering can be answered by the Student Service Center. If the question is about the proper organization of the study of Archaeology and which classes should be taken, one can contact the consultant of the field and other lecturers. At the Fachschaft, one can meet advanced students that are happy to exchange experiences and tips with first-year students. Also, a lot of information can be found on this website.
Obligatorische Erstsemesterberatung
Jedes Semester findet für alle neuen Bachelor- und Master-Studierenden eine obligatorische Erstsemesterbegrüßung statt, in welcher sich die einzelnen Institute vorstellen und die Grundzüge des Studiums erklärt werden. Um sich auf diesen Termin vorbereiten zu können, bietet das Archäologische Institut zumindest für BA Studierende eine kommentierte PowerPoint-Präsentation an, welche die ersten Fragen beantwortet.
Link: Bachelor-Studierende