Universität Potsdam

Public University Potsdam · Brandenburg

1991

Founded

19.696

Student count

Public University

Type

Universität Potsdam is a modern, dynamic public university located in Potsdam, the capital of Germany's Brandenburg state. Founded in 1991, this relatively young university is Brandenburg's largest higher education institution, with approximately 19,700 students. If you're looking to study in Germany, Universität Potsdam is often on the radar for international students, standing out with its wide range of programs and international student-friendly approach. Being a member of uni-assist (a central application service for international students) is a significant advantage, simplifying the application process for you. Thanks to its academic quality and its location in Potsdam, a city famous for its historical and natural beauty, the university offers both a high-quality education and a rich life experience. For anyone wanting to attend university in Germany, Potsdam University truly shines with its modern campuses and research-focused approach.

Quick Facts

University Name: Universität Potsdam
City: Potsdam
State: Brandenburg
Type: Public University (öffentlich-rechtlich)
Founded Year: 1991
Number of Students: 19696
Total Programs: 165
Bachelor's Programs: 30
uni-assist Member: Evet
HRK Member: Evet

Universität Potsdam: Overview and History

Universität Potsdam is located in Potsdam, the capital of Brandenburg state in northeastern Germany. Established in 1991 after German reunification, this modern university quickly became the state's largest and most significant educational institution. It hosts a dynamic student community of approximately 19,700 students. The university has three main campuses spread across Potsdam: Griebnitzsee, Am Neuen Palais, and Golm. Each campus offers a unique atmosphere and academic focus. For instance, Griebnitzsee typically houses economics and law departments, while Golm stands out in natural sciences and life sciences. Am Neuen Palais is primarily focused on humanities and arts. This distribution provides you with diverse study environments and opportunities to interact with various parts of the city. As a public university, Universität Potsdam is an attractive option, offering affordable education (you only pay a semester contribution) and high academic standards.

Academic Structure and Program Variety

Universität Potsdam boasts a broad and diverse academic spectrum. With a total of 165 different programs, the university offers you a wide range of choices: 30 Bachelor's, 122 Master's, and 6 PhD programs. While the primary language of instruction is German, you can find English-taught programs for some Master's degrees (always verify current programs on the official website). The university facilitates interdisciplinary studies across a wide array of fields, including humanities and social sciences, natural sciences, law, economics, and sports sciences. It's particularly strong in areas like information technology (informatics), earth sciences, biotechnology, and media studies. Universität Potsdam stands out with its modern research facilities and innovative teaching methods, aiming to equip you with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Students often highlight this diversity and interdisciplinary approach as a significant advantage if you're aiming for a career in Germany.

Student Life in Potsdam and What the City Offers

Potsdam is considered one of Germany's most beautiful cities, offering you a vibrant, culturally rich environment. Famous for its historic palaces, expansive parks, and lakes, it's also a modern student city. Its proximity to Berlin (about a 30-40 minute train ride) gives you easy access to the capital's cultural and social opportunities. Universität Potsdam's nearly 20,000 students infuse the city with youthful, dynamic energy. Student dorms, cafes, bars, and various cultural events enrich your social life. UNESCO World Heritage sites like Sanssouci Palace and Park are fantastic places to explore between classes or on weekends. The city has a well-developed cycling culture, and students often prefer bikes for getting around campus or the city. Potsdam is an ideal choice if you want to focus on academic success while also experiencing Germany's historical and natural beauty.

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living

Rent (shared)

350-550 EUR

WG (shared apartment) room

Food

200-300 EUR

Groceries and eating out

Transportation (Semesterticket)

0-50 EUR

The **Semesterticket** (semester ticket) is usually included in your **semester contribution** and covers public transport in Brandenburg and Berlin.

Other Expenses

150-250 EUR

Books, entertainment, health insurance, etc.

Average total 700-1100 EUR / mo

Places to Visit and Student Hangouts

Sanssouci Palace and Park

Landmark

Prussian King Frederick II's summer palace and its expansive park are a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's a popular spot for students to relax between classes or on weekends.

Brandenburger Tor (Potsdam)

Landmark

Not to be confused with the famous gate in Berlin; Potsdam has its own historic Brandenburger Gate, located in the city center.

Universitätsbibliothek Potsdam (University Library)

Library

The university's main library offers students a wide range of resources and modern study spaces.

Griebnitzsee Campus

University

A modern lakeside campus, primarily home to law and economics departments.

Am Neuen Palais Campus

University

One of the main campuses, surrounded by historic buildings and green spaces, housing the humanities and arts faculties.

Golm Campus

University

An innovative campus with modern research facilities for natural sciences and life sciences.

Holländisches Viertel (Dutch Quarter)

Square

Famous for its red-brick Dutch-style buildings, small boutiques, and cafes, this is a popular area for students to socialize.

Babelsberg Film Studios

Landmark

One of the world's oldest large-scale film studios, an interesting place for film and media students.

Student Life and Culture

Student life at Potsdam University is packed with rich social and cultural activities alongside academic rigor. The city's green landscape and numerous lakes offer you a life close to nature; cycling, picnicking in parks, or spending time by the lake are all very popular. The university itself hosts many student clubs and initiatives. From sports clubs to cultural communities, political discussion groups to international student associations, these clubs operate across a wide spectrum, allowing you to expand your social circle based on your interests. The proximity to Berlin, in particular, gives you unlimited opportunities to enjoy the capital's concerts, museums, galleries, and nightlife on weekends. Thanks to the Semesterticket (semester ticket), public transport within Brandenburg and Berlin becomes free or very affordable, making your explorations much easier.

Green campuses and a city integrated with nature.
Easy and fast access to Berlin.
Strong cycling culture and infrastructure.
Numerous student clubs and social activities.
A learning environment surrounded by historical and cultural heritage.

Program Distribution

Program Type	Number of Programs
Bachelor's	30
Master's	122
PhD	6

Universität Potsdam Program Distribution (2023-2024 Academic Year)

Frequently Asked Questions

I encountered a technical issue while applying via **uni-assist**; I can't re-add a program I removed from my cart. Are such issues common, and what should I do? ▼

uni-assist system technical glitches, especially during peak periods, are not uncommon. If you face such a problem, first check uni-assist's FAQ section. If you can't find a solution there, you should contact the uni-assist support team directly. It's also helpful to inform the international student office (Akademisches Auslandsamt) of the university you're applying to (in this case, Universität Potsdam) and ask if there's an alternative solution. Sometimes, temporary system errors or browser cache issues can cause these kinds of problems.

What are the general application requirements for Universität Potsdam? ▼

General requirements for applying to Universität Potsdam vary depending on your chosen program and country of origin. Typically, you'll need your high school diploma and its recognition certificate, German language proficiency (like TestDaF or DSH) or English language proficiency (like TOEFL or IELTS) if you're applying for an English-taught program, transcripts, and a motivation letter. Some programs might also require additional exams or a portfolio. For detailed and up-to-date information, always check the 'International Students' section on the university's official website.

Can I take German preparatory courses at Potsdam University? ▼

Universität Potsdam itself might not offer extensive German preparatory courses directly, but like many universities in Germany, it may provide courses to help students with a certain German level improve their language skills before or during the semester. For full preparatory education, you're usually directed to Studienkolleg (preparatory colleges) or private language schools. Before applying, you should ensure your German level is close to what the university requires. The best approach is to contact the university's international office for the most current information.

What are the student dorms and accommodation options in Potsdam? ▼

Potsdam offers various accommodation options for students. The most popular are the student dorms operated by Studentenwerk Potsdam (student services organization). These dorms are generally affordable, but you should apply early as there can be waiting lists. Private dorms, shared apartments (WG - Wohngemeinschaft), or single-room apartments are also available. Proximity to the city center or campuses significantly affects rent prices. It's highly recommended that you start your accommodation search months before arriving in Germany.

Are there scholarship opportunities at Universität Potsdam? ▼

Public universities in Germany are generally tuition-free universities (apart from the semester contribution). However, if you're looking for scholarships to cover your cost of living, various options are available. DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) scholarships are among the most well-known and comprehensive. Additionally, various foundations, organizations affiliated with political parties, or private institutions may offer scholarships. Universität Potsdam might also have specific scholarship programs or financial aid for international students. For current information on this, you should check the university's financial aid or international office pages.

Don't forget to visit the AlmanyaUni platform for more information about Universität Potsdam and to access our detailed guides on application processes! Shape your future in Germany.

Universität Potsdam — Gallery

Programs

165 total

30 Bachelor

122 Master

6 PhD

Useful Links

Official website ↗ Wikipedia (DE) ↗ Wikipedia (EN) ↗ Hochschulkompass ↗

Location

Open in OpenStreetMap ↗

Sources

Official website ↗ Wikipedia (DE) ↗ Wikipedia (EN) ↗

Favorite NC-free Programs Add to Compare University Website ↗

Programs & Departments

101 active programs · 49 English · 0 NC-frei

Bachelor (29)

Angewandte Kultur- und Translationsstudien

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Sosyal Bilimler

The program "Angewandte Kultur- und Translationsstudien" (Applied Cultural and Translation Studies) is a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree offered in the field of social sciences. This program brings tog...

Universität Potsdam

Quick Facts

Universität Potsdam: Overview and History

Academic Structure and Program Variety

Student Life in Potsdam and What the City Offers

Estimated Monthly **Cost of Living**

Places to Visit and Student Hangouts

Student Life and Culture

Program Distribution

Frequently Asked Questions

Universität Potsdam — Gallery

Programs

Useful Links

Location

Sources

Programs & Departments

Bachelor (29)

Angewandte Kultur- und Translationsstudien

Applied Cultural and Translation Studies (German-Polish)

Betriebswirtschaftslehre

Biowissenschaften

Deutsch

Deutsch-Französischer Studiengang Rechtswissenschaften

Ernährungswissenschaft

Französisch

Germanistik

Kunst

Latein

Lebensgestaltung-Ethik-Religionskunde

Mathematik

Musik

Physik

Politik und Wirtschaft

Polnisch

Psychologie

Rechtswissenschaft

Research School "Digital Health"

Research School "Foundations of AI"

Research School "Information and Data Engineering"

Research School "Secure Distributed Computing (SeDiC)"

Research School "Systems Design"

Russistik

Sachunterricht

Sporttherapie und Prävention

Study Preparation Brandenburg

Wirtschaftsinformatik

Master (60)

Angewandte Kulturwissenschaft und Kultursemiotik

Anglophone Modernities in Literature and Culture

Astrophysics

Betriebswirtschaftslehre

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Bioinformatics

Chemie

Chemistry of Functional Molecules and Materials

Climate, Earth, Water, Sustainability

Clinical Exercise Science

Cognitive Science

Cognitive Systems Language, Learning and Reasoning

Computational Science

Computer Science

Data Science

Demografieorientiertes Sport- und Gesundheitsmanagement

Deutsch

Deutsch-Französischer Masterstudiengang Rechtswissenschaften

Digital Health

Digitale Bildung

Eastern European Cultural Studies

Ecology, Evolution and Conservation

Economic Policy and Quantitative Methods

Europäische Medienwissenschaft

European Film Business and Law

Frühkindliche Bildungsforschung

General Management

Geoökologie

Geosciences

Integrated Sports, Movement and Health Sciences

Intercultural Communication and Management

International Experimental and Clinical Linguistics

International War Studies

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living