Bachelor and More Koln 2026

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

Who this event is for

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

Hotel tiers

A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

Local transport

Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

Frequently asked

Glossary

1

Abitur / Hochschulzugangsberechtigung

The German upper-secondary leaving certificate that grants general university entry. At the Köln fair, admissions staff compare the Abitur grade average against programme cut-offs and explain which subject combinations unlock which degree.

2

Fachhochschulreife

The school-leaving qualification that opens universities of applied sciences (HAW) rather than every university programme. HAW stands at the fair are the practical place to check whether a specific Fachhochschulreife route is accepted.

3

Numerus clausus (NC)

The selection cut-off, expressed as a grade average and sometimes a waiting period, applied to oversubscribed programmes. The NC changes every intake, so advisers at the stand quote the most recent values rather than a fixed number.

4

Dual study programme (duales Studium)

A degree that alternates academic blocks at a university or vocational academy with paid training blocks at a partner company. Recruiters from the partner firms exhibit alongside the school, so you can ask about the contract, salary and retention rate directly.

5

Universität vs Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften (HAW)

Universities lean towards theory and research, HAW towards applied projects, laboratory work and compulsory internships. Both types of institution exhibit at Bachelor and More, which makes side-by-side comparison of the same subject easy.

6

BAföG

The German federal student-finance scheme, part grant and part interest-free loan, based on parental income. Advisory stands at the fair explain the application timeline and how BAföG interacts with scholarships or a dual-study salary.

7

Semesterbeitrag (semester fee)

The enrolment fee charged each semester, which usually includes the semester transport ticket and student services. Public universities charge a modest fee, private schools charge tuition, and the difference is a key question at the stands.

8

Studienkolleg

A one-year preparatory college for applicants whose foreign school certificate is not directly recognised for German university entry. It ends with the Feststellungsprüfung, and advisers explain which Kolleg and subject track fits which certificate.

9

ECTS and Regelstudienzeit

ECTS credits measure workload per module; Regelstudienzeit is the standard time to degree. Asking about both helps you judge whether a programme is realistically completed in six or seven semesters.

10

Bewerbungsfrist and DoSV

Application deadlines vary by university and by programme, and many bachelor's places are coordinated through the DoSV dialogue-oriented service procedure. Collect deadlines at the fair, because they fall at different points from spring to late summer.

11

Lehramt

The teacher-training degree, split into subject combinations and school types (primary, secondary, vocational). Teacher-training advisers at the fair explain which subject pairs are in demand in North Rhine-Westphalia.

12

Gap year, FSJ and FÖJ

A year between school and university, often spent in voluntary service (Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr or Freiwilliges Ökologisches Jahr). Exhibiting voluntary-service organisations explain placement, pocket money and how the year affects later applications.

13

Studierendenwerk

The public student-services body that runs canteens, residence halls and social counselling at each university city. Its stand is the fastest way to check dormitory waiting lists and rent levels before choosing a study city.

14

Portfolio / Eignungsprüfung

Additional selection steps for design, media, music and sport programmes, usually a portfolio review or aptitude test. Programme advisers explain format and deadlines, which often fall well before the general application window.