Established in 1971, Katholische Hochschule Nordrhein-Westfalen (Catholic University of Applied Sciences North-Rhine Westphalia) is a non-profit private higher-education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Köln (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), North Rhine-Westphalia. This institution also has branch campuses in the following locations: Köln, Aachen, Paderborn, Münster. Officially recognized by the Ministerium für Kultur und Wissenschaft des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen (Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia), Katholische Hochschule Nordrhein-Westfalen (KatHO NRW) is a small coeducational German higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion. Katholische Hochschule Nordrhein-Westfalen (KatHO NRW) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. This 51 years old German higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic record and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. KatHO NRW also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.