If I buy bitcoins on an exchange which won't disclose my private keys, it means I can't send the coins to an address of, say, my electrum cold wallet?
Yes, you can. But not directly like you would with a wallet you control. All exchanges will let you ask for a withdraw of your coins, which will be sent to the address you choose previously.
Is this the case? I would be forced to sell and buy only within the exchange?
If so, how can I use my coins for something else than trading or investing?
You will see a withdraw page with instructions on how to request your coins.
The next question is, is there a list of exchanges that disclose your own private keys?
No.