2026 Student Award

Studienpreis (Image: ZLE)

Studying isn’t just about learning and passing exams. It's also a time to discover new perspectives, develop your interests, and learn to solve complex problems.

The TH Köln 2026 Student Award highlights student perspectives and provides impetus for the further development of academic programs, teaching, and research. Under the motto University for You! Open up new perspectives and shape your future! TH Köln invites its students to submit their own projects, initiatives, or experiences that explore the connection between academic learning and personal development.

The following questions, may be relevant:

• How can students combine their subject knowledge with personal experiences and societal issues during their studies?
• What role do interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary projects play in understanding complex problems and developing new perspectives?
• How can exchange formats, such as mentoring, study groups, and student initiatives, support students in their development?
• What ideas exist for further developing studies and learning at the university?

We are looking for projects, initiatives, or ideas from students that demonstrate how to learn successfully during their studies—academically challenging yet personally enriching.

We are particularly interested in submissions that …

• … develop new learning or exchange formats within the academic program, …
• … promote interdisciplinary collaboration, …
• … incorporate social issues into the academic program, or …
• … create spaces for reflection and personal development.

It is also important that you describe how the prize money will be used.
Please send your submission, including attachments in PDF format (two to three A4 pages), with the subject line “Student Award” by 📅 June 8, 2026, to lehrundstudienpreis@th-koeln.de.

The €2,500 student award will be awarded at the Day for Excellence in Teaching on 📅October 2, 2026.

The Center for Soft Skills Development will support you every step of the way, from developing a proposal idea to submitting your entry. To that end, we are offering an online workshop on 📅 May 12, 2026, from 🕙 10:00 a.m. to 🕦 11:30 a.m.

To register for the workshop and receive the login details, please email us at kompetenzwerkstatt@th-koeln.de. Feel free to contact us at any time with questions or ideas.

The jury – comprised of the Vice President for Teaching and Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Axel Faßbender, and one representative from each faculty – will evaluate the submissions based on the following criteria.

Link between Academic Content and Personal Development

• Academic content is convincingly linked to personal development (e.g., reflective ability, attitude, and self-management skills).

Social Relevance

• The submission addresses current challenges (e.g., sustainability, AI and social cohesion) and critically examines them.
• The role of the academic program in these contexts is reflected upon.

Innovative Content

• New learning formats or perspectives are introduced.

Quality of Implementation or Elaboration

• The submission is presented clearly, comprehensively, and in a structured manner.
• In the case of projects, the implementation is well-founded and well-thought-out.

Impact and Transfer Potential

• The submission has the potential to impact other students, programs, or the university as a whole.
• Transferability or further development is possible.

Depth of Reflection

• The submitters engage with their experiences, learning processes, and challenges in a nuanced manner.