Questions & Answers
When and where will the graduation ceremony 2026 take place?
The graduation ceremony will take place on June 25th, 2026, at Campus Neues Palais starting at 5 pm and scheduled to end at 7pm. Afterwards the Alumni Service of the university invites you to a graduation party on Campus Griebnitzsee.
ATTENTION: Bad-weather-option! In case of predicted heavy rain or storm our ceremony will be moved to Campus Griebnitzsee, House 6. The program will start at 6pm and end at 8pm - afterwards you can join the public viewing of the world cup football game. If our ceremony happens at Griebnitzsee, we will inform you beforehand via E-Mail!
Who can register for the graduation ceremony?
All graduates who received a degree (bachelor's, master's, diploma, master's, doctorate) in the academic year 2025/2026 are eligible to participate. This applies to the period July 01, 2025 to June 30, 2026. Friends and/or relatives are of course very welcome. Please note how many guests you would like to bring on the sign-up form. Sign-ups are exclusively possible via the Alumni-Portal at alumniportal.uni-potsdam.de.
Where and until when can I register for the graduation ceremony?
The registration for the graduation ceremony will start April 1st, 2026. You have to register in the Alumni-Portal. There you will find the registration form for the graduation ceremony. Registration is possible until 10th June 2026. You are of course welcome to bring guests.
Questions about Accessibility
Unfortunately the location at Campus Neues Palais is not wheelchair accessible as it is held on very uneven plaster. Additionally, the way to the colonnades leads over gravel and cobblestone paths.
We are not able to offer seating for every guest. Guests will have the best view from the elevated walkway of the Colonnade which will also provide shade.
Die zentrale Absolventenfeier der Universität Potsdam findet auf der Mopke vor der Kolonnade des Neuen Palais statt. Uns ist bewusst, dass die örtlichen Gegebenheiten für Menschen mit unterschiedlichen Behinderungen herausfordernd sein können. Dazu zählen unter anderem unebene Wege oder Kopfsteinpflaster, längere Laufwege, begrenzte Sitzmöglichkeiten sowie mögliche Reizfaktoren wie größere Menschenmengen, Geräuschkulisse oder visuelle Eindrücke. Uns ist es ein großes Anliegen, dass alle Absolvent*innen und ihre Gäste die Feier so angenehm wie möglich erleben können. Deshalb unterstützen wir Sie gern individuell – ganz gleich, ob es um Mobilität, sensorische Bedürfnisse, gesundheitliche Anforderungen oder andere Anliegen geht. Bitte zögern Sie nicht, sich im Vorfeld bei uns zu melden. Wir bemühen uns, passende Unterstützungsmöglichkeiten zu finden.
The central graduation ceremony of Potsdam University will be held on the plaza in front of the colonnade at Neues Palais. We are aware, that these conditions can prove difficult for people with different disabilities. Among those number uneven footpaths or cobblestones, longer distances between destinations, limited seating options as well as potentially overstimulating aspects like large crowds, ambient sounds or visual stimulus. We want all our graduates and their guests to have as comfortable a ceremony as possible. To make this possible, we are happy to individually support you - no matter whether in regards to mobility, sensory needs, health requirements or other concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact us beforehand! We will do our best to provide support strategies.
Frequently asked questions about accessibility
Are there accessible approaches and seats?
We will do our best to provide as accessible as possible footpaths and seating. Due to the historical environment (e.g. cobblestones) these will be at least partially restricted. We are happy to reserve fitting seats for you and your company.
I have limited mobility - what support do you offer?
Feel free to message us if you are using a wheelchair, not a sure walker or have other mobility limitations. We will support you in e. g. planning your travel to the ceremony, finding the best paths at the location or individual solutions.
Are there options for people with sensory support needs?
The ceremony can be an overstimulating experience through temperature, music, loud announcements, and many attendees with a high ambient sound as well as visual stimulation. To attend to your needs for visuals, hearing or stimulation management, please contact us - we will try and find the best support for you!
I have health concerns or other individual needs - who can I talk to?
No matter whether a chronic illness, short term disabilities or other personal matters: Please contact us via E-Mail. We will find the best possible solution with you!
Wie kann ich Unterstützung anfragen? Where can I request support?
Please write us an E-Mail at alumniuuni-potsdampde.
We want all our graduates and their guests to feel welcome and comfortable - and are looking forward to celebrate this special day with you.
Is there a registration fee for the Graduation Ceremony?
Registration and attendance of the ceremony is free. The Nil Student:innenkeller will offer a water station with reasonable pricing. At the graduation party there will be food and drinks for sale from food-trucks.
What can I expect of the graduation ceremony?
The central graduation ceremony is the university's traditional ceremony to bid farewell to the graduates of an academic year. The key note speech is held by a representative from politics or science. We have already welcomed Germany's President Frank Walter Steinmeier and the former French ambassador Philippe Etienne to the university.
In addition, the best students of all faculties are honored and several prizes are awarded for outstanding academic achievements.
Is there a dresscode?
There is no dresscode for the graduation ceremony. But of course we appreciate our guests dressing according to the occasion. Potsdam University will not hand out gowns or graduation caps. You are welcome to bring them yourself.
What form will the 2026 graduation ceremony take?
The graduation ceremony will take place as an in-person event. The event is planned open-air at the Colonnade at the Neues Palais. The area offers enough space for all graduates their families and friends.
This year we are receiving a record number of registrations as well as guest sign-ups - wonderful! Unfortunately we can only provide a finite amount of seating and therefore ask graduates to seat themselves in the middle - you are the stars of our ceremony! Guests will have the best view from the elevated walkway of the Colonnade which will also provide shade.
How do I get to the graduation ceremony?
Unfortunately there are only very few public parking spots at Neues Palais. To the south of the campus, at Am Neuen Palais street, there is the SPSG (Stiftung Preußische Schlösser und Gärten) parking lot (parking fee required). We strongly advise against "illegally" parking along the street, the Potsdam public order office is quite fast here. ;-) For these reasons we recommend arriving via public transport or by bike.
Additional Information
The closing ceremony will take place open-air in front of the colonnade at the Neues Palais. If the weather is warm and sunny, make sure to bring enough sun protection (Umbrella, hat, etc.). And be sure to bring enough drinks: there will be no sale of drinks during the graduation party and no supermarket or similar in the vicinity. Drink stalls at the graduation party may open earlier.
In addition, please note that the graduation party will literally take place on historic grounds. The "Mopke" is uneven in some places, creating a tripping hazard.