International Business (Bachelor's program) – How to Apply

Are you planning to apply for admission to TH Köln's Bachelor's program in International Business? Continue reading to find out all you need to know about the applications process.

At a Glance

Category Description
Program International Business 
Degree Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) 
Type of program Full-time program 
Beginning of program Winter semester 
Program duration 6 semesters
With internship: 7 semesters 
Credits 180 ECTS credits
With internship: 210 ECTS credits 
Language of instruction English 
Campus Südstadt Campus 
Restricted admission Yes 

Admission Requirements

Secondary school diploma

"Fachhochschulreife" (academic and practical part) or "Abitur" or an equivalent (international) degree

or

Applicants who do not hold one of the degrees mentioned above can apply as vocationally qualified individuals:
Vocationally qualified individuals with advanced further training (e.g. "Meister" or "Fachwirt") or vocational qualification in a related field (vocational training and at least 3 years of work experience) [Information on this type of application is currently only available in German]

or

Entrance examination for vocationally qualified individuals with vocational qualification in a different field [Information on this type of application is currently only available in German]

Applicants with degrees obtained outside of Germany: please note the information on admission requirements.

Language proficiency

Proof of German language proficiency
Applicants need to submit evidence of their German language proficiency (at least level B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)) by submitting one of the following documents:

- DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang): DSH 1
- TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache): at least three points in each part
- ÖSD (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch): Zertifikat B1
- Goethe-Zertifikat B1
- at least one German intermediate-level school-leaving qualification (Mittlere Reife, Fachoberschulreife, Sekundarschulabschluss I, Realschulabschluss)
- a completed degree in German studies or applied linguistics from abroad with German as main subject

Proof of English language proficiency
Applicants need to submit evidence of their English language proficiency (at least CEFR level B2) by the time of enrollment at the latest.

Proof is provided by the confirmation of CEFR level B2 by the awarding educational institution on the final certificate (secondary level up to the higher education entrance qualification or entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences, each completed with at least grade 4) or - if the final certificate does not contain such a confirmation - by one of the following recognizable certificates with the corresponding levels:

- Cambridge University (First Certificate English)
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System): at least 6.0 points
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language ibt): at least 80 points
- TELC: at least 73 points
- ISE (Integrated Skills in English, Trinity College London): ISE II - Merit
- UNIcert: level II
- PTE Academic: at least 66 points

If you do not have one of the English certificates mentioned above at the time of enrollment, your English language skills will be tested by the faculty in a personal interview. You will receive further information during the enrollment process.


Application

a) Application process for
- German applicants
- Applicants with a Higher Education Entrance Qualification (HEEQ) obtained in Germany or another EU or EEA member state
- Applicants from EU or EEA member states and their spouses 
- Applicants with a German university degree as well as
- Vocationally qualified individuals
Applicants with international degrees/diplomas: Please read the information on international Higher Education Entrance Qualifications

This program participates in the Dialog-oriented Service Procedure (DoSV) offered by hochschulstart.de. This means that you need to register with hochschulstart.de before you can submit an application through TH Köln's campus management system (CaMS).

hochschulstart.de

Important: Make sure to read the information on DoSV.

TH Köln's campus management system (CaMS)
Application period: Early May – July 15, 2026
b) Application process for
- applicants not mentioned in a)

You are required to apply through uni-assist. Since places will be allocated through the Dialog-oriented Service Procedure (DoSV), you need to register with hochschulstart.de before submitting your application through uni-assist.

Please note the information on the application process through uni-assist and the Dialog-oriented Service Procedure (DoSV).

uni-assist

hochschulstart.de

Application period: Early April – June 15, 2026

Application for admission to an advanced semester

It is possible to apply for admission to an advanced semester, particularly if you are changing your program or university. To be eligible, at least 15 ECTS credits from previous achievements must be recognized.

Information on the process, requirements and procedure is available on our information page on applying for admission to an advanced semester.

Application period

- Mid-February until March 15 of each year for the summer semester
- Mid-August until September 15 of each year for the winter semester

Admission restrictions

This program has admission restrictions for the 2nd to the 6th semester.

Admission to the program is only possible if places become available within the specified capacity limit.
Applications are only possible for the subject-related semesters offered in the respective semester/term:
- in the summer semester for the 2nd, 4th and 6th subject-related semester and
- in the winter semester for the 3rd and 5th subject-related semester.

Start your application in CaMS


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