# CBS University of Applied Sciences

> private · Köln · germany

## Facts

- **Tuition, non-EU:** €9600 — verified 2026-06-02
- **IELTS minimum:** 6 — verified 2026-06-02
- **Financial proof for a student residence permit:** €11,904 per year (2026, DAAD / Study in Germany — proof of financing (blocked account, 992 EUR/month for 12 months): https://www.study-in-germany.com/en/plan-your-studies/requirements/proof-of-financing/)

## Profile

- **Country:** germany (DE)
- **City:** Köln
- **Region:** Nordrhein-Westfalen
- **Type:** private
- **Fields:** business, social-work, health, psychology
- **Study routes:** direct-bachelor, direct-master
- **Website:** https://www.cbs.de
- **Address:** Bahnstraße 8, 50996 Köln
- **Data verified:** 2026-06-02

## About

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.

## Strengths

- 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.

## Watch out for

- 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 preparatory course (Studienkolleg) before enrolling.
- Köln has a chronic student-housing shortage; finding affordable accommodation near campus can take several months and requires early action.

## Accommodation

- **University dormitory:** yes
- **Dormitory cost:** €320–450
- **Private housing:** €580–670
- **Rent figures describe:** the city of Köln
- **How to apply:** Apply via Kölner Studierendenwerk's (KSTW) online portal (tl1host.eu/SWK) ideally 1–2 semesters before starting studies — you can apply before receiving your admission letter. After signing the lease, a €400 deposit is charged with the first month's rent; the enrollment confirmation (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung) is only required at contract signing.
- **Notes:** 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.
- **Source:** https://www.kstw.de/wohnen/auf-wohnungssuche/

## National and EU scholarships for this destination

- [DAAD Scholarships](https://studyroute.app/scholarships/daad.md) — Monthly stipend + travel & insurance (varies by programme)
- [Erasmus+](https://studyroute.app/scholarships/erasmus-plus.md) — Monthly mobility grant set by the home institution + possible top-ups
- [Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters](https://studyroute.app/scholarships/erasmus-mundus.md) — Full scholarship: tuition + travel, visa & a monthly living allowance (set per programme)
- [Deutschlandstipendium](https://studyroute.app/scholarships/deutschlandstipendium.md) — €300/month (€150 federal + €150 private donor), for at least 2 semesters — 2026

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Canonical page: https://studyroute.app/institutions/cbs-university-of-applied-sciences
Source of this file: https://studyroute.app/institutions/cbs-university-of-applied-sciences.md

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