Our team (ZIB Exchange) is available via email and video conferencing only. If you wish to get in touch with us personally, send us an email to exchange-lawuni-koeln.de with your name and either your phone number or Skype name. We will get back to you as quickly as possible.

This is generally difficult to predict given the dynamic nature of COVID-19. The University of Cologne will do their best to protect the health and safety of their students, lecturers, and staff. Regularly updated information from the University administration will be posted and updated on the University website. Please also visit our website for Law Faculty-specific updates. The ERASMUS Team will do their best to keep you updated on University and Faculty policy, but please make sure to regularly check these websites yourself.

Starting 4 May, you are required to wear a 'daily-use' mask or scarf to cover your nose and mouth when shopping or using public transportation (trains, trams and buses). This also applies to museums, exhibits, galleries, castle visits, memorial sites, zoos, public gardens, parks and similar places/businesses.

This applies to all of North Rhine-Westphalia and is in addition to current regulations. Note, you are not required to wear hospital-grade masks. Keep in mind that these higher-grade masks are in short supply and are needed for medical personnel and those who are required to wear one by their doctor.

More details can be found here.

Social distancing (1,5 m between people) is still in effect as well as other restrictions. Until otherwise notified by the authorities, please do not get together in groups, no parties, even if neither you nor your friends have any symptoms. Keep in mind that there are laws in place that are being monitored and enforced by the police; penalties can be quite high.

We also strongly advise you to follow the measures proposed by the World Health Organization and to regularly keep yourself informed about the governmental measures in Germany, e.g. through the website of the German Federal Ministry of Health (if you struggle to find or understand information, please ask your buddy or the Incomings Team). Note that everyone needs to adopt social distancing practices and limit in-person contact as much as possible.

We know that this can be isolating and can get lonely but as much as this is to protect yourself, it is to protect those around you – and we are positive that this is only temporary, thus better times will come.

You are required to wear daily-use masks while inside University buildings and are highly encouraged to wear them outside on University property as well. Social distancing rules apply inside and outside University buildings and on campus.

Exact details can be found here.

Throughout May, various stores, hotel and businesses are allowed to reopen as long as they are adhere to particular rules and hygiene regulations. In all cases, direct contact with others should be avoided, you should maintain 1.5m distance between people and where necessary masks should be worn. Details can be found here and the quick facts are easily translatable using an online dictionary or translation tool.

Also, you are still not allowed to meet up in groups of more than 2 people nor host or attend parties.

The Incomings Team as well as your buddy are available for translation assistance.

Like many offices, the Foreigner’s Office has switched their services to online and phone until further notice. Regular updates can be found here. If you have questions about your visa status, send them an email with the following information:

1. Your full name
2. Your date of birth
3. Your contact details (email address, phone number)
4. Describe the reason for your email as clearly as possible

Please be patient, responses will take time.

Registration can be done via email: stadtverwaltungstadt-koeln.de.

The Law Faculty is currently preparing to set up and implement online courses starting from 20 April, 2020, which you can complete from any place with internet access. Please note that despite these extraordinary circumstances, we expect all students to be self-organised and actively engage in their classes. We understand that studying online differs greatly from classroom teaching experiences, but our lecturers will do their best to be personally approachable and to ensure a positive study experience. The Incomings Team is also here to support you throughout the term. Feel free to reach out to us by email (exchange-lawuni-koeln.de) or make a Skype appointment.

The spring term at the Law Faculty will generally start  on 20 April 2020 with a few courses starting later.*

Students will be able to complete their spring 2020 term abroad (including classes and exams) online, regardless of whether the University changes back to in-person teaching or exams. Details on exams will be released over the next few weeks.

Up-to-date information will be provided via the course listing in KLIPS, on ILIAS and/or per UoC student email (note not via personal email addresses).

*Note this only applies to our faculty, other faculties may have different start dates.

Students will be able to complete their spring 2020 term abroad (including classes and exams) online, regardless of whether the University changes back to in-person teaching or exams. Details on exams will be released over the next few weeks. We appreciate your patience while our teaching staff integrates these new processes into their curriculum.

Despite the current situation, spring term courses will take place as planned – just in an online format. The Exchange Team will inform you about administrative processes as usual, including exam registration.

Course-related information is provided directly to you by the lecturer or teaching team. This may be done on different platforms so make sure to check the following: course listing in KLIPS, your ILIAS account and/or UoC student email (note not via personal email addresses).

The University and City Library (Universitäts- und Stadtbibliothek Köln) reopened on 27 April. Details can be found here. 
Please note that you are only able to borrow and return books. Study areas are not available. Department libraries are not yet open, but check the website for regular updates.

The UCL also has online resources, check out their website for details. 

Also note that you are required to wear daily-use masks ('Alltagsmasken') while inside university buildings and are highly encouraged to wear them outside on university property as well. Social distancing rules apply inside and outside university buildings and on campus.

Please inform the exchange team of the ZIB Jura and your home university. The Incomings Team will get in touch with you and get in contact with your home university.

We will do our best to maximise the refund for each person. However, a full refund is no longer possible.

Partial refunds can be attained by submitting a hardship exemption form ('Härtefallantrag'). For details, please contact us directly. Note that international transfer fees will be applied to the transaction so that the actual refund may vary slightly from the original amount. (This may also vary from country to country and from bank to bank.)

If you plan on not returning to Cologne, you are able to apply for a partial refund of your semester contribution fee. This refund applies to the semester ticket aspect of the fee that would have allowed you to travel in Cologne and North Rhine-Westphalia for free.

Applications for a ‘hardship exemption’ (Härtefallantrag) can be submitted until 1 June 2020. Please note the following:

You will not be able to reactivate the semester ticket (transportation) at any time, even if you decide to return to Cologne or North Rhine-Westphalia.

If you have access to a German bank account, you can avoid many (but not all) processing fees. If not, note that the amount will be charged fees and it is possible that you will be refunded less than €100.

Note that processing and transfer waiting times can take up to 8 weeks.

If you are interested in submitting a hardship exemption (Härtefallantrag), please contact us.

This question should be directed to your home university since each university will develop their own policy. Make sure to hold onto receipts for any expenses incurred related to your studies, should they ask for an overview of your expenses. The Exchange Team will be happy to support you in this process, for instance by signing your Erasmus documents. Please contact us by email (exchange-lawuni-koeln.de).

Once you have received all your grades on KLIPS 2.0, please send a quick notification to the ExchangeTeam (exchange-lawuni-koeln.de). We will do our best to process and issue your officially signed and stamped transcript.

Once you have received all your grades on KLIPS 2.0, please send a quick notification to the ExchangeTeam (exchange-lawuni-koeln.de). We will do our best to process and issue your officially signed and stamped transcript.