University of Cologne wins Social Diversity Award 2025

The University of Cologne has been awarded the Social Diversity Award in the Company of the Year category. The prize, which is awarded by the Chancen network, recognises the university's diverse commitment to educational and equal opportunities. With this award, the jury honours the university's outstanding commitment to greater social equality and diversity in the workplace, as well as the removal of barriers, especially for first-generation academics.

Congratulations also to Simon Kellermann, who was nominated as Talent of the Year and studies at the University of Cologne.

This award is both recognition and motivation for us to continue our commitment to equal opportunities and educational justice at our university and in the higher education system as a whole.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Educational Equity

Already the decision for or against studying depends on the social and cultural integration of the parental home or the family environment. Non-academic families, in which both parents have not studied, often do not have the appropriate resources and knowledge in dealing with academic behaviour and are therefore unable to pass this on to their children. Prospective students from non-academic families are therefore at a considerable disadvantage compared to those from academic families. So-called "first-generation students" and students from immigrant families are also more often dependent on an extensive sideline job, which often conflicts with the requirements of their studies. As a result, they are more burdened with their studies and have higher drop-out rates compared to students who come from academic families (without a migrant background).

The influence of disadvantageous factors continues in the further academic career up to the professorship.

The strategic area of Educational Equity therefore focuses on the professional transitions from the start of studies to professorship and the support of first generation students on this path. On the other hand, the university exclusion mechanisms are critically examined.

Institutions and counselling in the field of educational justice

An overview of all central institutions and counselling services in the field of educational justice can be found in this portal under the headings institutions and counselling.