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Faculty of Mathematics and Natural SciencesInstitute of Geophysics and Meteorology

Incoming students

Welcome at the Institute of Geophysics and Meteorology!

The institute is part of the Department of Geosciences, together with the Institute of Geography and the Institute of Geology and Mineralogy.

At our institute, we offer the bachelor program "Erd- und Klimaphysik" (in German) and the master program "Physics of the Earth and Atmosphere" (in English). Our institute is also envolved in the master program “Computational Sciences” (in English). Please find some general information below and under the links provided. In case of further questions, please get in touch with us.

How can I apply at the University of Cologne?

As an ERASMUS student, you will be nominated by your local ERASMUS coordinator: the local ERASMUS coordinator will send the nomination via e-mail to the contact at the Institute of Geophysics and Meteorology. We will then inform the International Office of the University of Cologne about your nomination. The International Office will contact you at some point and provide you with more detailed information about the formalities (e.g. application/enrollment at University of Cologne). Please check out also the websites of the International Office of the University of Cologne with some general information about studying in Cologne and the specific ERASMUS information.

Which courses are offered?

If you are interested in the courses that are generally offered at the Institute of Geophysics and Meteorology, please have a look at the module descriptions:

The actual course list of the current semester and previous semesters at the Institute of Geophysics and Meteorology can be found on our institute website

or in the KLIPS portal which can be accessed also without having an account.

For the upcoming semester, an overview of the courses is available on our website and in KLIPS about 1-2 months before the semester starts. To get a general idea of what might be offered, it is thus useful to have a look at previous semesters.

Courses at the other institutes of the Department of Geosciences (Institute of Geography, Institute of Geology and Mineralogy) are in general open to ERASMUS students visiting the Institute of Geophysics and Meteorology:

When preparing your Learning Agreement, we recommend to get in touch with us to clarify if all courses that you would like to attend are available.

How can I register for courses?

Before your ERASMUS stay at the University of Cologne, you have to fill out the Online Learning Agreement (OLA), which will be signed by you, the corresponding institutional ERASMUS coordinator at the University of Cologne and the coordinator of your home university. The OLA includes information about the courses that you will attend and if and to which extent (ECTS credit points) the courses will be recognized for your studies at your home university. The OLA can also be updated during your mobility in case courses etc. change.

At the University of Cologne, the application/enrollment and course selection is then handled via the online application portal KLIPS 2.0. More details can also be found on the website of the International Office. When you have successfully enrolled as a student of the University of Cologne, the Examination Office of the Department Geosciences have to set your status to "ERASMUS student". Please inform them via e-mail. You will then be able to register for a course via KLIPS2.0 on your own.

Can I participate in a German course?

The University of Cologne's Department for German as a Foreign Language offers different language courses for guest students.

Further information about the Department for German as a Foreign Language can be found on their website. Please note that many of their language courses fill quickly. Therefore, please think about whether you would like to participate in a language course at the University of Cologne well in advance and get in touch with us as soon as you have received notification from the University of Cologne for the first time.