Welcome New International Students

Vier Studierende lächeln in die Kamera, im Hintergrund erkennt man das Roll-Up des Teams International Degree-Seeking Students. (Image: TH Köln / Costa Belibasakis)

On October 01, 2026, the Department of International Affairs welcomed around 200 new international students to TH Köln at Deutz Campus – and what a vibrant, joyful start it was! From food and drinks to music and interesting conversations, the Welcome Event was more than just a kick-off: it was a celebration of connection, culture, and new beginnings.

Students from over 70 countries joined us – from Afghanistan to Vietnam, from Albania to Spain. They’re embarking on studies in a wide range of programs, from Business Administration to Renewable Energy Management, choosing from over 90 degree programs at TH Köln. While the majority are degree-seeking students, we were also delighted to welcome over 70 exchange students from our partner universities. And thanks to the TH Köln Buddy Program, many of our new international students had the chance to meet their buddies in person – sparking friendships and support networks from day one.

This in-person gathering is the final step in our Welcome Journey for international students at TH Köln – a key complement to our online onboarding web seminars "First Steps at TH Köln" and "Early Bird Sessions". While preparation can happen from afar, true connection happens face-to-face – and that’s exactly what we created that evening.

We were honored to have Prof. Dr. Christian Wolf, Vice President for Digitality and Sustainability at TH Köln, join us. His words captured the spirit of the event:

What a difference it makes when you have a kick-off event like this – it’s the foundation of a strong welcome culture. It shows students: you’re not alone. You belong here.

A big thank you to the DAAD and the Federal Foreign Office for making this event possible through the STIBET I program – a vital investment in internationalization and intercultural exchange.

On average, TH Köln welcomes 450 international degree-seeking students and 200 exchange students each year from our partner universities worldwide. Today, over 2,000 international students are studying at TH Köln – making our campus one of the most diverse and dynamic in Germany. The Department of International Affairs of TH Köln supports our international students every step of the way – with a comprehensive range of events and activities. The Welcome Journey starts with onboarding seminars tailored for both degree-seeking and exchange students, followed by the Buddy Program as the first platform for meaningful connections. The Ready, Study, Go project actively supports international students in their integration into the German labor market – from career coaching and CV workshops to internship guidance and networking events.

Throughout the semester, students can participate in online and in-person workshops, cultural events, and networking opportunities – all designed to navigate their studies at TH Köln and their life in Germany.

Welcome to TH Köln – let the journey begin!