International Office
Learning from each other through exchange
The International Office of the University of Music and Dance Cologne advises and supports HfMT students (outgoings) interested in studying abroad with Erasmus+ and exchange students (incoming students) within the framework of the EU Erasmus+ programme. This also includes advising and supporting lecturers and administrative staff in the implementation of staff teaching and staff mobility measures. In addition, the DAAD scholarship programmes STIBET and PROMOS are supervised.
Contact persons
- Katja Haus
We provide information and advice on the following topics:
Information for outgoings
With Erasmus+, HfMT students can study at a European partner university after completing their first year of study in order to expand their social and cultural skills and improve their career prospects. They get to know the academic system of a foreign university as well as its teaching and learning methods. The stays are funded in all Erasmus+ program countries. A list of the 33 program countries can be found on the following page.
Current information:
- Please note that Great Britain is no longer one of the program countries. Therefore, please contact the International Office in good time before you plan a stay at a university in the UK! As a stay abroad is only possible to a very limited extent!
- Information on the offer of the new Interrail Pass for Erasmus+ participants. The pass was set up in cooperation between Eurail and the European Student Network (ESN) and offers students and university staff a sustainable travel option during their Erasmus+ stay. A special feature of this pass is its six-month validity, which enables Erasmus+ participants to make both their outward and return journeys. The passport can also be used to further explore the host country and neighboring countries during the stay. Further information can be found on the Interrail website.
Advantages of studying abroad
- academic recognition of academic achievements abroad
- Waiver of tuition fees at the host university
- Support in preparation (cultural, linguistic, organizational)
- Grant for travel expenses/green travel (dependent on distance)
- Grants for students with children, students with disabilities or chronic illnesses (optionally)
- Grants for first-time students (optionally)
Application periods and deadlines
The application deadline for outgoings is March 30, 2026 for the winter semester 2026/27 and Sept. 30, 2026 for the summer semester 2027. It is not possible to apply after these specified deadlines. Please make sure, that you check the deadlines at our partner university in time.
Please note, that application deadlines at partner universities may differ. Therefore, it is important, that you inform yourself on all (internal and external) deadlines, early enough. Please have a look at the web pages of the partner institutions as well.
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Online application
Requirements for an application are:
- Regular enrolment at HfMT Köln
- Completion of the first year of study
- Study stay at a partner university with which the HfMT Cologne has concluded an Erasmus cooperation agreement (inter-institutional agreement).
- The home and host universities have a valid Erasmus University Charter (E-CHE)
Please contact the partner university to find out how to apply for an Erasmus exchange. The universities either use their own (online) mobility tool or the EASY mobility online platform of the AEC (Association Européenne des Conservatoires, Académies des Musique et Musikhochschulen). Please be aware that universities in the United Kingdom will use their own application tools. For example, if you would like to apply for Guildhall School in London, please contact us before!
Please submit your application via the online application portal . Unless you find different information on the website of your preferred partner university. If you require a nomination letter, please contact the International Office as well.
You can submit a maximum of 4 applications at EASY mobility online. If the application deadlines at the partner instituion differ from our HfMT deadlines, please send an e-mail (on time, that means before the HfMT-internal deadline) to international-office@hfmt-koeln.de giving the essential information on your planned stay abroad, in particular the duration and the planned partner universities.
Information for incoming students
Thank you for your interest in an Erasmus+ stay at the University of Music and Dance Cologne.
To apply you need to fulfill the following requirements:
- You are a student at a partner university.
- You meet all legal requirements of the Erasmus programme.
- You have been nominated for the exchange by your university (via mobility-online).
- You submit the complete application documents on time.
Please note that we do not offer Erasmus+ internships.
Application periods and deadlines
Winter semester 2026/27
- Applications for a stay in the winter semester 2026/27 or academic year 2026/27 are possible from February 15 to April 15, 2026. It is not possible to apply after the specified deadlines.
Summer semester 2026
- Applications for a stay in the summer semester 2026 are possible from September 15 to November 15, 2025. It is not possible to apply after the specified deadlines.
Online application
The application for a place within the framework of Erasmus at HfMT Cologne will be done online. Please submit the following documents via the EASY mobility online portal
- Curriculum vitae
- Transcript of Records
- Learning Agreement
- Letter of motivation
- Links to approx. 20 minutes of music/dance recordings (audio and/or video)
- Proof of German language skills level A2
The course catalogue of the HfMT Cologne can be found on this page.
Enrolment
Here you will find important and helpful information for your enrolment.
Semester fee
You will have to pay a semester fee at the Cologne University of Music and Dance, which all students in Germany pay. These are not similar to tuition fees.
The semester fee consists of the following amounts: Semesterticket (Deutschland-Semesterticket), social fees for the Student Union, AStA contributions for student self-administration, university sports and social hardship coverage.
Health insurance
For your enrolment you will need proof of health insurance/that you have health insurance. Students from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland who are insured with a statutory health insurance company in their country of origin can have their health insurance recognized by a statutory health insurance company in Germany. For more information, please visit the page for international applicants.
Living and Housing
Important and helpful information about accommodation can be found on the following page.
Contact persons in the departments
If you have any questions regarding the preparation of your Learning Agreement, you can contact the Erasmus representative of your department directly:
Department 1
Composition, Conducting, Piano, Guitar, Mandolin, Composition
- Prof. Qiming Yuan
qiming.yuan@hfmt-koeln.de
Department 2
Violin, viola, violoncello, double bass, orchestral conducting, baroque instruments and singing, harpsichord
- Prof. Leonard Schelb
leonard.schelb@hfmt-koeln.de
Department 3
Woodwinds, brass, percussion, harp, saxophone
- Prof. Robert Winn
robert.winn@hfmt-koeln.de
Department 4
Singing, music theater, choral conducting
- Prof. Gideon Poppe
gideon.poppe@hfmt-koeln.de
Department 5
Musicology, Pedagogy, Church Music, Teacher Training
- Prof. Dr. Carmen Heß
carmen.hess@hfmt-koeln.de
Department 6
Jazz, Pop
- Prof. Anette von Eichel
anette.voneichel@hfmt-koeln.de
Department 7/ZZT
Dance, Dance Education, Dance Studies
- Johanna Hörmann
johanna.hoermann@hfmt-koeln.de
Documents & Downloads
Information on staff mobility for teaching
Within the Erasmus+ programme you have the possibility to take up teaching activities at a cooperating university (Staff mobility for teaching).
This mobility is usually possible for three days plus travel days. Before you start planning your stay in detail, please contact the International Office as early as possible.
The International Office will be happy to assist you with any questions regarding funding and the process of staff mobility.
Funding opportunities of the DAAD
The International Office also advises you on scholarships and funding opportunities through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). It is responsible for the STIBET and PROMOS programmes.
For more information on the DAAD funding opportunities, please visit the page Study Funding / Scholarships.
Erasmus+ Charter
The obligations and rights of students in the Erasmus+ programme are regulated in the "Erasmus+ Student Charter".
