Internationalisation
Internationalisation is a key profile feature of teacher education in Cologne. Students, lecturers and researchers benefit from the large global network at the University of Cologne.
Teachers bear the responsibility of preparing pupils for life in a globalised world. They provide their pupils with tools to engage with this world constructively. An international experience, whether abroad or at your home university, is a meaningful contribution to this preparedness.
The University of Cologne has historically promoted the international mobility of student teachers and staff, as well as international cooperation and networking with schools and universities around the world.
Our university offers a unique portfolio of international projects and partnerships, which provides customized offers for student teachers.
European University for Well-Being (EUniWell)
As a member of the EUniWell University Alliance, the University of Cologne is a part of twelve European partner universities and over 60 associated partners from eleven European regions. Together, this alliance pursues a holistic, action- and research-orientated approach to well-being.
The aim of the European university network is to research effective and sustainable changes in terms of health for students, lecturers, teachers, and university staff, and to implement the findings in practical programmes. Its fields of action address well-being and health at both the individual and at the community level in society at large.
EUniWell offers a wide range of courses and training, for which members of the University of Cologne can register.
Student teachers and teachers alike benefit from the 'Teacher Education Arena' and its activities, which aim to shape teaching into an excellent, forward-looking profession grounded in science and aligned with EUniWell's guiding principles.
The arena analyses professional standards in the participating European countries and develops supplementary standards of professionalization, which are primarily oriented towards the intersecting themes of well-being, sustainability and inclusion. It promotes cooperation between schools, universities and other partners.
Funding programme:
- Erasmus+
Partners (selection):
- University of Nantes
- University of Birmingham
- University of Santiago de Compostela
- Taras-Schewtschenko University Kiew
Erasmus+ Teacher Academy for a Future in Flux (teff)
The Erasmus+ Teacher Academy Teacher Education for a Future in Flux (teff) is a consortium of ten European universities, their partner schools, further education institutions and state institutions.
It is committed to the development of cross-phase and interdisciplinary teacher education. The aim of the academy is to make the profession more attractive through diverse, flexible and lifelong learning opportunities for student teachers and teachers.
Its learning opportunities equip participants with future skills and support teachers and students in creating solutions for navigating current and future challenges.
Focus areas are education for sustainable development (ESD), digitality, diversity, inclusion, and well-being.
Funding programme:
- Erasmus+
Partners (selection):
- University of Florence
- University of Helsinki
- Utrecht University
- Helios School (Inclusive University School Cologne)
Teacher Education Network (TEN)
As part of the TEN network, coordinated by the KU Leuven in Belgium, the University of Cologne implements Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) within the teaching profession – in Belgium, the Netherlands, Finland, and other partner countries.
The Erasmus+ funding line BIP represents short mobility programmes that use innovative learning and teaching methods, including online collaboration.
By means of novel and more flexible mobility formats which combine physical mobility with a virtual component, these mixed intensive programmes enable as many students as possible from different backgrounds to benefit from an experience abroad.
Funding programme:
- Erasmus+
Partners (selection):
- Utrecht University
- University of Izmir
- Stellenbosch University
Internships@schoolsabroad programme
With this programme, the University of Cologne offers its student teachers a tailor-made and attractive opportunity for an internship abroad. Every year, a great number of student teachers spend time at one of over 100 partner schools and other partner institutions worldwide.
Bachelor internships
Since 2017, Bachelor’s students have been able to complete a voluntary or compulsory internship in the context of the Bachelor’s practical internships and combine this with a compulsory stay abroad (when studying a modern foreign language).
Practical semester
Since 2025, Master’s students have also been able to complete a practicum for one semester abroad.