Welcome to International Student and Scholar Services. We are committed to providing you with a stellar culturally-sensitive experience at HPI. Our advising, immigration support, programming and community building support you academically, personally and professionally through your time at HPI. Serving our international population is what we strive to do each day. Our International Student and Scholar Services is the central point of contact for anyone who wants to gain international experience or needs support with international topics.
We offer a variety of resources to support prospective students, current students, researchers, and staff during their international adventure:
- Information on formal procedures in Germany, at HPI, and at University of Potsdam
- Manage offerings to build community at HPI including skills workshops, social events, focus groups and informational sessions
- Advisory assistance on international exchanges and internships (for outgoing Erasmus+ there is an Erasmus+ Coordinator)
- Support for international full-time and visiting students and international researchers
- Supervision of the HPI Buddy Program (bachelor and master students), PhD and Postdoc Peer Mentoring Program, and Onboarding Mentor Program
Contact us for one-on-one consultations to answer your questions:
Incoming – Your way to the HPI in Potsdam
Degree programs (Bachelor and Master)
Do you live or study outside of Germany or have a foreign university entrance qualification and would like to start a degree program (Bachelor's and Master's) at HPI? Then, the same procedure applies to applicants with a German university entrance qualification.
Doctoral studies
At HPI, doctoral candidates can pursue a doctorate as staff members in one of our research groups or as scholarship holders of the HPI Research Schools. It is possible to apply for a position as a research assistant even before applying for admission.
Good to know: Language skills for your application
Language skills in German or English must be demonstrated for both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree program (and possibly also for a doctoral program). Learn more
HPI regularly offers language courses for foreign doctoral students to improve their German language skills. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact office-international@hpi.de.
Short-term exchange programs
Would you like to study at HPI for one or two semesters? The joint Digital Engineering Faculty of the Hasso Plattner Institute and the University of Potsdam offers three options:
If there is a valid ERASMUS+ agreement between your university and the University of Potsdam, apply for a place in the ERASMUS+ program at your university. The University of Potsdam also accepts students from other disciplines.
If you come from another partner university, you apply to your university for the corresponding exchange program with the University of Potsdam.
There is no contract for exchange programs between the institution you are studying at and the University of Potsdam? Then, find out at your university about the possibility of coming to us as a free mover.
Mentoring for Internationals
HPI Buddy Program
Incoming international bachelor and master students should consider the HPI Buddy Program to connect with an experienced buddy. If you are selected for the program you will work closely with a current student over the first 6 months of your time at HPI. There are regular social gatherings with input on how to be a good buddy. Team-building is also discussed.
HPI Peer Mentor
Incoming doctoral researchers and scientific staff may request an experienced HPI Peer Mentor for support in the first 6 months at HPI. Identify and pursue personal and professional goals together with your mentor while you settle in at HPI.
HPI Onboarding Mentors
All incoming doctoral researchers and scientific staff can benefit from the experience of our HPI Onboarding Mentors. At each chair one to two onboarding mentors have been appointed to assist with getting settled at HPI. When you start your studies or begin as scientific staff these mentors are available to answer your chair-specific questions.
Going abroad - Studying in a different country
Studying abroad with ERASMUS+
The Hasso Plattner Institute maintains partnerships with various European universities. We encourage HPI students to spend a semester abroad.
- A semester abroad can be completed during the Bachelor's and Master's programs, but we recommend completing it during the Master's program.
- A stay abroad is not recommended in the fifth and sixth semester of the HPI Bachelor's program, as the Bachelor's and final theses are completed during this period.
- It is required that you are enrolled at the University of Potsdam at the time the Erasmus+ exchange semester(s) takes place. That is, you can already apply before you have been accepted to a HPI Master’s program, but you need to be accepted and enrolled at the time the exchange starts.
Current ERASMUS+ partner universities
- University of Lucerne, Switzerland (Master's students Digital Health)
- University College Dublin, Ireland
- University of Tartu, Estonia
- University of Jyväskylä, Finland
- EFREI (Ecole Française d'Electronique et d'Informatique), France
- Télécom Paris, France
- Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Italy
- University of Coimbra, Portugal
- Blekinge Tekniska Högskola - Blekinge Institut of Technology, Sweden
- Karlstad University, Sweden
- Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands
Important notes on the application
The application period starts on December 1, 2025, and ends on January 10, 2026. Please note that there is only one application round for the entire following academic year (winter and summer semester). A prerequisite for an application is that you are enrolled at the University of Potsdam during the ERASMUS+ exchange semester(s).
The following documents must be submitted:
- Motivation Letter (1-2 pages in English). Explain in detail why you intend to spend some time abroad, describe the topics you are going to study there and how the courses offered fit with your personal experiences, skills, and interests.
- Curriculum vitae
- Statement of credit points and marks, granted from HPI so far. You can obtain information in the HPI student office.
- If applicable, your bachelor certificate and report card (Bachelorzeugnis)
- Confirmations or certificates for language skills and/or mention of plans for language courses
The International Office of the University of Potsdam provides detailed information on the application process and an overview of frequently asked questions (FAQ).
Studying abroad as a Free Mover
There is no ERASMUS+ agreement between the institution where you would like to study and the University of Potsdam? Then you are a free mover. Please note that the application deadlines may differ from those of the ERASMUS+ program.
Off abroad with an SAP internship
As part of the SAP internship program, you have the opportunity to complete a paid internship at one of SAP's global locations during the summer semester. The annual application deadline for the following summer semester is usually in November. For further information, please get in touch with Leonie Schulze.
Students report from abroad
Hendrik Schmidt reports on his semester abroad at Télécom Paris in France:
- University of Tartu, Estonia: Justus Zeinert, 2022
- University of Coimbra, Portugal: Anonym, 2023
- Eötvös Loránd University Budapest, Hungary: Paul Wullenweber, 2022
Further exchange reports by students can be found on the pages of the University of Potsdam.
Contact Persons
Jill Grinager
Manager International Student and Scholar Services
Phone: +49 331 5509-291
Mail: office-international@hpi.de
Last change: 04/06/2026, Mareike-Vic Schreiber