We offer a consecutive program over the course of two semesters. The program starts every semester with the “Basic Track” in Design Thinking. This training addresses the essential elements and approaches of Design Thinking. Our program closes the gap between different disciplines. While students in their regular studies mostly meet only fellow students from their own disciplines or similar fields, at the HPI D-School work is carried out in multidisciplinary teams. During the semester, students work in different team constellations on different projects (“Design Thinking Challenges”). We start with a small project (one week) and proceed with longer ones (three and six weeks). The “Advanced Track” provides advanced knowledge about Design Thinking, especially in relation to approaches, application areas and methods. We additionally arrange projects with external partners, among them large corporations, public institutions and/or non-profit organizations.

In addition to our Basic- and Advanced Track-Program we offer an Introductory Program in Design Thinking (our so called Global Design Thinking Week or GDTW) twice a year. The GDTW provides a fundamental understanding and experience of the innovation method Design Thinking. We are offering this program together with a partner organization so that participants gain insights into the implementation of design thinking in the real-world. This program should not be confused with the D-Camp (see above). The Global Design Thinking Weeks take place every year in March/April and September/October.

Because the students who participate in our program come from all over the world, many different languages echo through our hallways. So that everyone knows what’s going on, the entire program is conducted in English. For this reason we don’t require you to be fluent in German to apply to the HPI D-School. You’re also not asked to submit a certificate proving your knowledge of German. However, Design Thinking is a user-centered approach and our students often need to make observations and conduct interviews with consumers and users. Because most of the encounters take place in Potsdam and Berlin, you will often come in contact with non-native English speakers. We therefore advise our foreign participants to attend a German course before or during their study program at the HPI D-School. Further information about courses is available on the pages of the Goethe Institute or the University of Potsdam

We expect that you will contribute your enthusiasm and your time (two days per week for the Basic and Advanced Track) to the HPI D-School.
The contribution towards expenses for the supplementary study program is currently 750 euro for all students in the Basic Track and 200 euro for participants of the Global Design Thinking Week. Participation in the Advanced Track is free of charge.
Also, students, PhDs and employees of HPI are exempt from this rule; for them HPI School of Design Thinking is free.

Since our program is based on different perspectives, we are looking for students from all disciplines and fields - from Architecture, Pedagogy, IT systems engineering or Business Studies to Futurology. We are looking for students who are about to graduate or are about to finish their studies. We mainly address (enrolled) MA and MBA students as well as doctoral candidates. Bachelor students can also apply if they are in their final year of study. In regard to other interested applicants, it is possible that exceptions can  be made in certain cases as determined in the selection process.

We are looking for enthusiastic people who enjoy working in teams, who engage and deal emphatically with both people and tasks. Candidates should be open to new ideas and perspectives. They should be passionate about their own academic field, but also curious about other disciplines and ideas. It is important that candidates be at the end of their studies.

Each semester we offer 80 places in the Basic Track and 30 places in the Advanced Track programme. In addition, the Global Design Thinking Week (GDTW) takes place two to three times a year with 40 participants each. We also offer a Leadership Development Program with 20 places. Thus, up to 200 students study at the HPI D-School each semester.
 

Two attendance days per week are required for the Basic and Advanced Track. Depending on the project, additional time may be required, usually in the research phases and shortly before the project is completed. The Basic Track meets every Tuesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to about 6 p.m., the Advanced Track every Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to about 6 p.m. One semester is approximately 13 - 15 weeks - from October to February and April to July.
 

The D-Camp workshop takes place before the start of the Basic Track and lasts two days. All applicants who have passed the first online selection hurdle are invited to this workshop. During these two days we offer a glimpse into Design Thinking and the HPI D-School. After the D-Camp, up to 80 students are chosen to attend the subsequent Basic Track.

As a student enrolled at HPI you can participate in our Design Thinking-programs during your Bachelor’s or Master’s studies.
In addition you can apply for the Design Thinking-programs also in the year after your completion of your Bachelor's or Master's studies.
The HPI degree regulations recommend Bachelor’s students to complete the module “SSK1: Design Thinking” between their third and sixth semester.
The study regulations for Master’s students do not contain special recommendation for the module “SSK-DT.”
First Track participation is rewarded with three credits. Basic Track participation is rewarded with nine credits. It is possible to receive nine further credits by taking part in the Advanced Track. 

If you are enrolled as HPI student you can register for the Global Design Thinking Week through the Admissions Office (Studienreferat) as for all other HPI study offers. There is no separate application necessary at the HPI D-School.
The application for the Basic and Advanced Track takes place via the HPI D-School. The application for the Basic Track in the summer semester is possible from Mid-November until 31st January, for the winter semester from Mid-May until 31st August. The application for the Advanced Track is only possible after the completion of the Basic Track.

For the Basic Track, all students (regardless of whether they are enrolled at a German or an international university) have to pay a financial contribution of 750 euros. This amount is payable by April 1st
respectively October 1st. Studying in the Advanced Track is free of charge. All students, doctoral candidates and staff members enrolled at HPI are exempt from this regulation. For them, studying at the HPI School of Design Thinking is free of charge.

If you are participating in our programs (First, Basic and Advanced Track) as a student you get not only a unique experience, but also credits (ECTS).
Student enrolled at HPI can earn graded course credits for each program. You get 3 credits for your participation in the Design Thinking introductory week (ECTS), 9 credits for the Basic Track and 9 credits for the Advanced Track (ECTS).
Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee students from other universities that these credits (and grades) will be accepted by their home universities since it depends on the university’s policy.  However, a lot of our students have been able to transfer the ECTS-credits for their D-School time (as practical experience) to their respective home university.

The successful completion of the program will be confirmed with a certificate of participation.

Unfortunately, we cannot organize an accommodation for you in Berlin or Potsdam. However, since both cities are strongly frequented by students, you should have no problem finding temporary accommodation. You can find a wide range of offers at housinganywhere.com and wg-gesucht.de, in relevant groups on Facebook. In particular, groups from previous years are recommended.

As each country has its own laws, this question cannot be answered in general terms. If you are coming from outside Europe, you should apply for a visa early, as the process usually takes longer. If you need help, you are welcome to contact us. More information about general visa regulations can be found on the homepage of the German Academic Exchange Service. The international broadcaster Deutsche Welle offers a general overview for a study stay in Germany. You can also contact the Academic Welcome Center of the University of Potsdam with specific questions.

Unfortunately, the participation in our academic Design Thinking programs is not recognized by the state of Brandenburg as educational leave.

Applications for the Design Thinking Advanced Track are open to graduates of the HPI D-School's Basic Track program and comparable introductory programs at our partner design thinking schools in China, Malaysia, South Africa and Sweden, as well as graduates of the HPI Global Team-based Innovation (GTI) program. The application phase for the winter semester starts in May and for the summer semester in November. The application is done via an online platform, which you can find on the Advanced Track page during the application period.

We would like to enable all participants with handicaps or chronic diseases to participate on an equal and independent basis. All buildings and rooms are accessible without barriers, there are accessible sanitary rooms available. The connection to the public transport system is also largely barrier-free. We are open to individual concerns that make participation in the program possible. The University of Potsdam offers an overview of counselling opportunities for students with disabilities or chronic illnesses.

The HPI D-School's academic programs are additional studies that are open to students of all universities and disciplines. However, participation in the programs does not grant you student status (unless you have this status from another university) and you are not officially enrolled as a student of the University of Potsdam.

Yes. All programs are offered in a completely digital format. For this we use different platforms such as Miro and Zoom. Participation is possible from everywhere as long as there is a stable internet connection. We try to consider different time zones, however, the main program times will take place in the Central European Time Zone. We aim to improve teamwork using the advantages of virtual collaboration and overcome obstacles step by step with creativity and enthusiasm. In the summer semester 2020 as well as the winter semester 2020-21 there will be no events requiring attendance.

All participants should have digital equipment such as laptop or tablet. A stable internet connection is essential to be able to participate in the online program. A webcam and a microphone are necessary to communicate with everyone else.

Since the programs are currently running digitally and this requires a lot of concentration and energy, the attendance time has been reduced to four hours a day. In addition, there is more time for self-learning (read information in advance or watch videos), as well as self-organized teamwork.

Information on entering Germany and the Coronavirus can be found on the homepage of the German Academic Exchange Service.

The buildings of the HPI and the University of Potsdam remain closed to the public. The buildings are open to staff members and, in justified cases, to students. If students and coaching teams of the HPI School of Design Thinking want to use the buildings, they must register at least 48 hours in advance. If there is more than one person in a room, please use a mouth-nose cover, keep a minimum distance of 1.5 - 2 meters and follow the general hygiene recommendations. We keep guest lists in order to be able to trace possible chains of infection. We regularly update and announce further regulations and precautions.

We strongly recommend using the "Corona-Warn-App" and carrying the smartphone with activated Bluetooth with you. This applies not only during your stay at the HPI D-School, but also in general. 

Rapid clarification of suspected cases of COVID-19 disease is essential to prevent the virus from spreading. In particular, fever, cough and shortness of breath can be signs of infection with the COVID-19 virus. Individuals with the corresponding symptoms are asked to leave the HPI premises and stay at home. Until the suspicion has been clarified by a doctor or the public health department, the person cannot participate in the teamwork. If the suspicion is confirmed, please inform the HPI School of Design Thinking.

Here you can find information about Corona at the HPI. The learning platform openHPI offers an online course about the Corona virus and the disease COVID-19. Here you find current information about the consequences of the Corona crises at the University of Potsdam.