- Overview
- Location and Housing
- Academics
- Pricing and Dates
- Program Staff
- Application Instructions
- Additional Information
Have you always wanted to study in Germany and dreamed of staying longer than a few weeks? This semester long exchange program is for you! You can also think about doing an internship in the semester after studying.
UAS7 is a strategic alliance of seven leading German Universities of Applied Sciences committed to excellence in teaching and research. Courses are offered in English in Berlin, Bremen, Cologne, Hamburg, Muenster, and Osnabrueck, Germany.
This program is university-wide, meaning any undergraduate Pitt student regardless of major may participate. You must apply to both the Pitt application on this page and to the applicable UAS7 program. Prior to application, please review the UAS7 website and the Cologne UAS (TH Köln) exchange website for application instructions, deadlines, course descriptions, academic calendar, etc.
With approximately 17,000 students in over 70 degree programs taught by 450 full-time faculty members, TH Köln - University of Applied Sciences is the largest of its kind in Germany. Its diversified and widely recognized teaching and research profile has allowed TH Köln to develop strong working relationships with a broad range of partners at home and abroad. TH Köln - University of Applied Sciences considers its hallmarks to be application-focused interdisciplinary teaching, integrated on-the-job semesters, program offerings that constantly evolve in response to technological and business developments, and a strong track record for graduating students on time.
As an active and engaged participant on this program, you will have the opportunity to develop:
- the ability to succeed independently in a foreign education environment.
- non-US based perspectives on your field of study and/or future career path.
- a global network of peers in similar fields of study and connections with faculty in Germany.
UAS7 - Liaison Office NY
871 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017 | U.S.A.
T: +1.212.758.3369
email: info@uas7.org
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UAS7alliance/
Cologne, a 2,000-year-old city spanning the Rhine River in western Germany, is the region’s cultural hub. A landmark of High Gothic architecture set amid reconstructed old town, the twin-spired Cologne Cathedral is also known for its gilded medieval reliquary and sweeping river views. The adjacent Museum Ludwig showcases 20th-century art, including many masterpieces by Picasso, and the Romano-Germanic Museum houses Roman antiquities. While Cologne celebrates its history and at times quirky local traditions, it is also a modern multi-cultural city with a vibrant cultural life known for its openness and hospitality. For example, it is home to Germany's largest Pride celebration, highest nightlife density, largest student population, and largest mosque. The birthplace of Eau de Cologne is now a hub for automotive and mechanical engineering, chemicals, finance and insurance, information technology and telecommunications, logistics, radio and television industries. Its proximity to neighboring Belgium and the Netherlands as well as its connectivity also make it an ideal base for exploring Europe.
TH Köln has campuses in central Cologne as well as neighboring Leverkusen and Gummersbach.
You can find information on the types of housing here.
Programs offered: Applied Natural Sciences; Applied Social Sciences; Civil and Environmental Technology; Computer Science and Engineering Science; Culture Science; Economics and Business Administration; Information; Media & Electrical Engineering; Information sciences & Communication Studies; Process Engineering; Energy and Mechanical Systems;
- In order to gain Pitt credit, you must receive a C or higher for each course you will transfer back to Pitt for credit.
- Information about grading scales can be found on the UAS7 website.
- Transcripts: In order to gain Pitt credit, you must receive a C or higher for each course you will transfer back to Pitt for credit. Information about grading scales can be found on the UAS7 website.
- Please ensure you ask the UAS7 university to provide a mailed paper transcript to your Pitt's study abroad manager in your school. Exchange university transcripts typically do not arrive from the exchange university until 3 to 4 months after the end of exchange period. Therefore, Pitt students should be mindful of how this may affect their ability to graduate, especially when exchanging during one's senior year. Another consideration is how this may affect your financial aid package, as the S/NC grades are not posted until transcripts are received.
Pitt students participating on an exchange program will pay regular Pitt tuition and fees, according to their in-state or out-of-state residency status. In addition to the Study Abroad Administrative Fee, this also includes all Mandatory Fees, such as the Student Activity Fee, Wellness Fee, Computing and Network Services Fee, and the Security, Safety, and Transportation Fee.
Pitt Students on financial aid and/or tuition scholarships will need to consult the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid or respective entity providing the funds to confirm coverage for study abroad.
Pitt students participating on an exchange program will pay regular Pitt tuition and fees, according to their in-state or out-of-state residency status. In addition to the Study Abroad Administrative Fee, this also includes all Mandatory Fees, such as the Student Activity Fee, Wellness Fee, Computing and Network Services Fee, and the Security, Safety, and Transportation Fee.
Pitt Students on financial aid and/or tuition scholarships will need to consult the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid or respective entity providing the funds to confirm coverage for study abroad.
For global scholarship opportunities, check out:
- the Pitt GEO scholarship page for links to national, provider and private scholarship samples
- PittFund$Me for Pitt sponsored funding including Pitt wide global scholarships, Nationality Rooms, VIH, etc.
- PittFund$Me for the SSOE Global Experience Scholarships!
Pitt students enroll at TH Köln for either a full semester (fall or spring) or a full academic year (two full semesters). TH Köln’s calendar may differ from Pitt's normal fall (August through December) and spring (January through April) semesters, so Pitt students should check the academic calendar at the exchange university. Like Pitt, TH Köln’s academic calendar follows a Fall-Spring progression, meaning Fall is the first semester followed by the Spring semester as the second. Typically, semesters in our UAS7 exchange schools are: Fall runs mid-September through mid-February and Spring runs mid- March through mid-July. The dates listed above are estimated and therefore subject to change according to the host university’s schedule.
Dr. Shawn Alfonso Wells
Greetings! I manage the Arts and Sciences and Exchange and am the Pitt in Spain Program Manger. I have a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh and am an Adjunct professor of Anthropology who has taught in the Anthropology, History, Sociology, and Africana Studies departments at Pitt and CMU. I did my fieldwork on Color Classification in Cuba and have led many ground breaking experiential student trips to Cuba. I love learning about different cultures and want to help facilitate students being able to travel abroad to learn about the world. I look forward to assisting you to achieve your goals of a global experience.
Schedule a Zoom appointment with me below or get in touch with me through email to discuss exchange options and your future global experience.
Schedule an appointment
Schedule an appointment with me using Pathways!
Appointment Link: https://pathways.campus.eab.com/pal/mT8JxcvuBG
Don't see a time that works for you? Just send me an email!
Alicia JF Olalde, M.A.
Hello! Konnichiwa! I am the Director for Global Experiences and Engagement in the Swanson School of Engineering. After working for the JET program in Japan for just over two years, I decided to pursue a career in international education. I returned to the US via a few months of travel -slowing making my way west with many stops in stunning locations and with amazing people. Whenever possible, I continue explore new countries and cultures and have had the good fortune to work, study and travel all over the world. I have been fortunate to work both as an administrator and as a classroom educator in higher education; my areas of interest are international, adult and comparative education. I enjoy assisting engineering students seize global opportunities!
Schedule an appointment
SSOE students: schedule an appointment with me using Pathways via this link!
non-SSOE students-- send me an email and we'll set up a time to meet!
Questions about scholarships?
UAS7 offers a travel scholarship to some applicants!
Successful applicants for the Study & Internship Program (SIP), Internship Program (IP), and Study Program (SP) are eligible for a UAS7 Travel Scholarship of 1000€ to cover or defray transatlantic travel expenses for program participation. Applicants will be notified about program and scholarship acceptance simultaneously.
No additional application materials are necessary; the program application is used by the selection committee to evaluate candidates for scholarships as well as program admission. Applicants in the October and February selection rounds will be considered for the UAS7 Travel Scholarship.
UAS7 Travel Scholarship recipients will receive their award from their host UAS after arriving in Germany.
Also be sure to check out our funding pages and note that SSoE has funding specifically for engineering students! There are many other national funding sources you can review. One place to search is the Institute of International Education website.
The University of Pittsburgh automatically provides international health and accident insurance for students participating in study abroad during the official program dates. More information about the type of insurance and coverage will be provided to you by the GEO office. However, you may need to purchase additional insurance if the school you will attend requires you to purchase a specific health insurance per their regulations. It is your responsibility to ensure you know the cost of that insurance prior to committing to the program.
- Visa application
- Valid Passport
- Verification of acceptance from sponsoring university (exchange university)
- Financial Documents, such as bank statements, tax documents or pay statements.
- Passport photos
- Application fee
- Medical/physical examination (likely to require a doctor's appointment so plan accordingly)