Incoming Spanish ERASMUS Students: Questions and Answers
(Prof. Dr. C. Vogt,
Faculty 07,
Cologne University of Applied Sciences)
How many courses can I take?
The program of a German student typically comprises five or six courses per semester.
The number of courses an ERASMUS student can take depends on his background and his prior knowledge.
The average ERASMUS student should attend up to three technical courses only (or maybe four) per semester.
This limitation accounts for difficulties that are likely to occur (especially language problems, see below)
and leaves enough time for other activities (especially language courses).
However, students who are technically strong and have a good command of German might take five or perhaps even six courses.
The Module Handbook gives you a list of courses you can choose from.
Do I have to speak German?
As nearly all our courses are in German, some knowledge of German is indispensable.
Our university offers a choice of language courses where you can improve your German.
Note: If you come to Cologne without any (or only few) knowledge of German, your stay will most certainly be a failure!
Can I do my final project / write my final thesis in Cologne?
Maybe, but only under the following conditions:
- You must check that your home university allows you to do so.
- You cannot just write "final project" in your Learning Agreement and expect us to find you a project.
Before(!) sending the Learning Agreement, you must send us an application (by email!) including a convincing and expressive letter of introduction and motivation,
a C.V., a list of the examinations you passed so far (including the marks received) and a short list with your areas of interest (3-4 at most).
- We will try our best to find you a project, but there is no guarantee that we will succeed.
- Generally, it is not you who proposes a topic for the thesis - we will do (in case we are interested in your collaboration).
Can I can take exams of my home university in Cologne?
No. We made bad experiences with this, so we decided to discontinue this practice.
How important is it to be punctual?
Very. Germans are used to get started on time. So, in some situations (e.g. in a lab exercise with a tight schedulue)
even a delay of only five minutes can be too much.
For more information please see the information leaflet.
Prof. Dr. Carsten Vogt, 2.4.2012