CBS University of Applied Sciences
About
Private university of applied sciences in Cologne, teaching business, social work, health and psychology — tuition from €9,600/year and an IELTS minimum of 6. An EU-recognised degree comes with Germany's 18-month post-study job-seeker visa.
Cologne is the fourth-largest German city, on the Rhine, with a different character than Berlin or Hamburg — more Catholic, more traditional, but very international. The city centre is compact and walkable; student housing requires planning but is available. The creative and media industries are strong here; student life mixes cultural institutions with a young working crowd.
Accommodation
CBS is one of seven Cologne institutions with recognized access to Kölner Studierendenwerk (KSTW) dormitories, so students can apply for subsidized rooms alongside students from Universität zu Köln, TH Köln and others. Demand is high and only about a third of applicants receive a place, so apply as early as possible — 1–2 semesters ahead. Most students still end up in the private market (WG shared flats) given limited dorm capacity.
SourceNational funding for this destination
Honestly
Why this works
- Tuition of €9,600 per year is moderate for a private German university of applied sciences offering English-taught business and psychology.
- A German EU degree gives full Schengen mobility and is recognised across all 27 EU member states.
- Germany's 18-month post-study job-seeker visa lets graduates stay and convert their degree into a career locally.
- Köln is one of Germany's largest cities with a dense media, retail, and professional-services economy rich in internship options.
- Fields span business, social work, health, and psychology — a broad applied curriculum suited to students targeting people-facing careers.
- An IELTS minimum of 6.0 is accessible for most CIS applicants with solid English preparation, lowering the language entry barrier.
What to check
- This is a private university: public German universities often charge little or no tuition for non-EU students outside Baden-Württemberg, making CBS comparatively expensive.
- Germany requires a blocked account (Sperrkonto) of roughly €11,904 per year as financial proof — funds must be frozen before the visa is issued.
- Daily life, government offices, and landlords in Köln operate primarily in German; limited German skills will create friction outside the classroom.
- Non-EU school leavers whose diploma is not directly recognised in Germany may need to complete a Studienkolleg preparatory course before enrolling.
- Köln has a chronic student-housing shortage; finding affordable accommodation near campus can take several months and requires early action.
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Figures are indicative and change by academic year. Always confirm tuition, deadlines and visa requirements on the official institution and government sources before applying.