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Faculty of Mathematics and Natural SciencesInternational Master of Environmental Sciences - IMES

How to Apply for the IMES Program

The International Master of Environmental Sciences (IMES) is an English-language, interdisciplinary master's program at the University of Cologne. Applications open once per year for the winter semester intake.
This page guides you through the application process based on the type of Bachelor's degree you hold. Please read the instructions carefully and apply early — deadlines are strict.

Application Period

  • Application start: April 1
  • Application deadline: May 15
  • Last day to upload missing documents: May 20 (only if application was submitted on time)
  • Program start: October
  • Final Bachelor's certificate (if not yet complete): must be submitted by December 31

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for IMES, you must (as required by § 2 of the IMES Admission Regulations):

  • Hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with at least 180 ECTS and 6 semesters regular study time (Master entrance qualification  - "Masterzugangsberechtigung")
  • Have completed at least 12 ECTS in environmentally related subjects (e.g. environmental sciences, geosciences, biosciences, environmental law, environmental economics) within that qualifying degree (i.e. the Bachelor's or equivalent degree you use to apply for the IMES Master’s program). Please note: Only coursework completed as part of your qualifying degree program will be considered. We cannot accept environmentally related qualifications from any other degree program, extracurricular training, internships, or professional experience.

  • Provide proof of English language proficiency at C1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

    We accept the following certificates:

     

    You are exempt from submitting a separate language certificate if either of the following applies:

    • You completed your university entrance qualification (e.g. high school diploma or equivalent) entirely in English, or
    • You completed your Bachelor’s degree (or other master-qualifying degree) entirely in English
    • In both cases, the English language of instruction must be documented in official university documents such as the diploma, transcript of records, or an official letter issued by the institution.

     

    Please note:

    • We do not accept exemptions based on nationality or self-declared native speaker status.
    • A B2/C1 statement in your German “Abiturzeugnis” is not sufficient.
    • If you studied English Studies (Anglistik) as one part of a German-taught Bachelor’s program, this does not qualify as sufficient proof of C1-level proficiency.

     

  • Still studying? You may apply if you have already aquired at least 144 ECTS (80% of the required 180 ECTS) and will complete your Bachelor's degree in the current summer semester (by September 30). To apply, you must submit:
    • a transcript of records showing your current academic performance (i.e. your current average or mean grade, often referred to as GPA in international contexts), and
    • a document confirming the expected date of your remaining examinations.
    • The final degree certificate must be submitted by December 31. If it is not submitted on time, your enrolment in the IMES program will be revoked.

Please note: Missing grades are not replaced with a grade of 4.0. We consider only the current average of all available, completed coursework at the time of application.

How to Apply

We distinguish between applicants with a German Bachelor's degree and those with an international degree. Please select the path that applies to you.

1. Applicants with a German Bachelor's Degree

Application Steps:

  1. Register and log in to the KLIPS 2.0 portal
  2. Complete your application and upload the required documents:
    • Master entrance qualification ("Masterzugangsberechtigung")
    • Proof of at least 12 ECTS in environmentally related subjects (module handbook, transcript of records or a certificate from your university)
    • CV
    • Letter of motivation in English
    • Proof of English proficiency (C1), if needed
  3. Submit your application by May 15
  4. You may upload missing documents until May 20, as long as your application was submitted on time
  5. If you’re still completing your Bachelor's degree:
    • Submit a current transcript and proof of expected graduation date
    • You must submit the final certificate by December 31

2. Applicants with an International Bachelor's Degree

Before applying through KLIPS, you must obtain a “VPD” (Preliminary Review Documentation) via uni-assist. Our International Office provide more detailed information here.

Step 1: Apply to uni-assist

  • Visit: www.uni-assist.de
  • Choose: Hochschule Uni zu Köln - VPD, please select the option “All subjects”
  • Start early! Processing may take up to 6 weeks

Step 2: Apply via KLIPS 2.0

  • Submit your application with the required documents and your VPD via the KLIPS 2.0 portal
  • Deadline: May 15
  • Missing documents may be submitted until May 20 (only if application was submitted on time)

Letter of Motivation: Structure and Purpose

The letter of motivation in English is required, but not evaluated as part of the ranking. Your grade alone determines your position on the admission list.

However, the letter of motivation serves an important purpose: it helps the admissions committee identify where in your academic record you meet the environmental relevance requirement of the program (at least 12 ECTS of environmentally related coursework). Please take this seriously, as the lack of environmental relevance is the most frequent reason for rejection.

Please structure your letter as follows:

1. Motivation (1–2 paragraphs)

Briefly describe:

  • Why you wish to join the IMES program
  • How the program fits your academic or professional goals
  • (Optional) Your specific interest in environmental or sustainability topics

This section is not part of the selection process, but helps us understand your background.

2. Explanation of Environmental Relevance

This section is essential.

Please clearly state:

  • Which courses in your Transcript of Records are environmentally relevant
  • Where these courses are documented (e.g. course title and line number in the transcript or page number in the module handbook)
  • If the title is not self-explanatory, refer to the official module handbook or syllabus issued by your university
  • If your module handbook does not provide the relevant information, include an official confirmation from your university
  • You may also include your Bachelor’s thesis if it is clearly environmentally relevant and carries ECTS

⚠️ Please note: Environmental relevance must be documented. We can only consider coursework that is identifiable in:

  • your Transcript of Records
  • an official module handbook or syllabus
  • or an official confirmation issued by your university

Please note: You are advised to name more than the minimum number of environmentally relevant courses in your letter. This gives us flexibility in case some of the listed courses are deemed only partially relevant or not sufficient based on the official documentation.

Example of a Good Description of Environmental Relevance:

In my Bachelor's program in Political Science, I completed the following environmentally relevant coursework:

  • “Introduction to Environmental Policy” (5 ECTS, Transcript line 6)
  • “Quantitative Methods” (4 ECTS, Transcript line 13). The environmental relevance of this module is documented in the official module handbook, which states that students work with climate and sustainability-related datasets.
  • “Governance and Institutions” (3 ECTS, Transcript line 18). Although the environmental focus is not reflected in the course title, the relevance is confirmed by my university in the attached official letter, which states that the module focused on international environmental agreements and climate governance.
  • “Global Social Challenges” (3 ECTS, Transcript line 22). This module covered issues such as climate justice, environmental migration, and the role of international organisations in addressing sustainability transitions, as documented in the official syllabus.

Together, these courses add up to 15 ECTS.

After You Applied

  • You will be notified via email and in KLIPS if you receive an offer
  • Once notified, you have 7 days to accept the offer
  • If not selected immediately, you may receive an offer in the waiting list round, with a 4-day deadline to accept
  • If you miss the deadline, your offer will expire

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