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Central Institutions

Among the university's central institutions are the Central Student Advisory Service, the International Office, the University Library and the Career Service. They are active across departments. They will provide you with information and support with regard to your studies, but also concerning everyday life, finances, housing or studying with a child. We have compiled all the basic information about the institutions and further links for you on this website.

Modernes Glasfoyer einer Bibliothek, in dem Glas spiegeln sich alte Gebäude

Information on Starting your Studies

Starting your studies is like immersing yourself in a whole new world. To help you avoid stumbling blocks as early as possible, you will find important information, tips and tricks here.

Central Student Advisory Service

Zwei junge Frauen lassen sich von einer weiteren jungen Frau an einem Stehtisch beraten
Photo: Karla Fritze

The Central Student Advisory Service (Zentrale Studienberatung - ZSB) is a general advisory service for prospective and current students and your point of contact for all questions concerning your studies. At the moment, the advisors are at your disposal mainly by phone or e-mail. In addition, ZSB offers regular information events as well as group and advanced education programs and, of course, tips and tricks for the digital semester.

Website:  https://www.uni-potsdam.de/en/studium/advising-and-services/zsb
E-Mail: studienberatung@uni-potsdam.de
Phone: +49 331 977-1715

 

Zwei junge Frauen lassen sich von einer weiteren jungen Frau an einem Stehtisch beraten
Photo: Karla Fritze

„Study Stream #11“ | Kick-Off for the winter semester 2023/24 - Welcome to the University of Potsdam!

Monday, October 2nd, 3-4pm, online

At the beginning of the semester, there are often many questions, for example about the timetable, the standard period of study and free attempts. During the "Study Stream", two UP students and a student coordinator talk about their experiences and give tips for the first steps into university life. Link to Study Stream


PULS

Screenshot von einer Webseite
Photo: Anna Wright

PULS stands for Potsdamer Universitätslehr- und Studienorganisationsportal, or the University of Potsdam portal for organizing teaching and studies. You can use PULS to plan and organize your studies.

It is possible to:

  • create a personal course schedule and register for courses
  • register for examinations and see your grades
  • create important documents
  • generate new iTANs
  • manage your personal data

In the following two videos, we introduce you to the most important features of PULS and show you how to use it. And if you still have questions, feel free to contact us at puls-team@uni-potsdam.de.

Screenshot von einer Webseite
Photo: Anna Wright

How do I use PULS?

Learn more about the structure of PULS, the deadlines that are relevant for you, where to find courses and how to use and create iTANs. Video with German and English subtitles.

How do I create my course schedule in PULS?

How do you read your degree progress plan? What information can you find in the module descriptions? How do you register for courses or withdraw from them? Video with German and English subtitles.

Need more information?

If you still need more information, we recommend you visit the help pages first. You will find many useful tips there, sorted by category.


International Office

Eine Frau bringt Wegweiser mit Ländernamen an
Photo: Karla Fritze

We advise students and doctoral candidates on how to organize their studies or internship abroad. We offer international students and applicants support for questions regarding applications, general orientation at the university, and all questions relating to university studies, legal provisions for internationals, and personal questions.

Eine Frau bringt Wegweiser mit Ländernamen an
Photo: Karla Fritze

Outgoing | Going abroad

This is where students and doctoral candidates can obtain information on how to organize their studies or internship abroad.

Incoming | From Abroad

This is where international students and applicants will find support offers for questions regarding applications and general orientation at the university.

Buddy Program

Students of the University of Potsdam offer support for new international students in this program. It is is intended to promote the integration of international students as well as mutual cultural ex


European Digital UniverCity

As part of the European Digital UniverCity - abbreviated EDUC - the University of Potsdam belongs to a European university alliance that enables students, researchers, teachers and staff to use the services and advantages of no less than eight universities at once. The future is flexible, multilingual, virtual and, above all, European. Together, the partners of the EDUC Alliance are creating a new academic space that allows you to move freely between universities and their offerings and decide for yourself what, when, where and how you want to study, research, teach or further your education. Along the way, you will acquire transcultural and digital skills that are becoming increasingly important for the future world of work.

EDUC at the UP

Further information and advantages of EDUC for all students university staff.

Offers for Students

Learn how you can use EDUC throughout your studies.

EDUC on Instagram

Get to know the Higher Education Alliance better, on their social media channel.


University Library

Studierende an Tischen in einem Leseraum der Bibliothek
Photo: Thomas Roese

The University Library provides literature and other information resources for your studies at each of the three university locations. In the Departmental Libraries you will find the book and journal collection, computer workstations as well as copiers, scanners and printers. You can borrow media for free and your student ID card (PUCK) serves as your library card.

You have access to a large number of e-books and e-journals from any location, in the campus network via WiFi or from home via VPN.

Our Library Introductions can help you find your way around the library and provide you with information on the current library services and tips for literature searches.

Studierende an Tischen in einem Leseraum der Bibliothek
Photo: Thomas Roese

Information for Students

Brief introduction to the library and information on advisory services and courses offered.

Current Library Services

Service offers of the University Library for the winter semester and current regulations that apply to library services.

Using Electronic Ressources

Information on how to search for and use e-books, e-journals and databases.


Center for Languages and Key Competences - Zessko

Collage aus Bilder von Studierenden und Lehrenden
Photo: ZIM

The Zessko offers a wide range of courses as well as the opportunity to learn languages self-directed with learning guidance or cooperatively in language tandem. In addition, there are offers in the areas of writing advice, lecture coaching as well as the media libraries as places for self-learning. As part of the key professional competencies (Studiumplus), you can acquire the additional certificate "Intercultural Competence in Study and Work" or help to design student projects.

Our business areas are:

Languages | Key Competences / Studiumplus
The Introductory Study Phase | Independent Study

You can find more information on our website.

Collage aus Bilder von Studierenden und Lehrenden
Photo: ZIM

Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss (AStA) [General Student's Committee]

Logo des AStA Potsdam schwarze Buchstaben auf weißem Hintergrund
Photo: AStA Universität Potsdam

The Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss (AStA)is at the heart of student government. We take care of students’ concerns and represent them in dealing with the university administration and the the state government. AStA is currently made up of 12 sections and is elected by the student parliament. It is the students themselves that finance AStA. With this money we try to enable students to form their own opinions, to promote political education and the students’ willingness for active tolerance and to be aware of their cultural and social concerns. In addition, AStA provides a range of free (legal) advisory services.

Logo des AStA Potsdam schwarze Buchstaben auf weißem Hintergrund
Photo: AStA Universität Potsdam

Student Cultural Center [KuZe]

Hinterhof
Photo: Sara Krieg

The student cultural center [KuZe] has been run since 2005 by the Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss (AStA) of the University of Potsdam in cooperation with the Offener Kunstverein e.V. [OKeV] and the ekze e.V. in the Hermann-Elflein-Straße. In its fifteen years of existence, KuZe has established itself, with its wide range of cultural offerings, as a prominent institution in downtown Potsdam. Students and other people interested in culture do not only enjoy a varied program of events and the unique atmosphere in the KuZe pub, but also a wide range of opportunities for active participation and self-experimentation in the numerous projects that are based here. To find out more about KuZe, visit www.kuze-potsdam.de!

Hinterhof
Photo: Sara Krieg

University Sports Center

mehrere Personen auf Trampolinen
Photo: Julia Schoenberner

The University Sports Center offers high-quality sports and exercise programs adapted to the everyday life of students for members of all Potsdam institutions of higher education and the cooperating institutions. You can build your individual program from over 500 weekly courses in more than 120 different sports. We offer an extensive range of activities, from various sports courses, trips & excursions, massage facilities and a fitness club to a variety of workshops.

You can also participate in numerous competitions, events and fun tournaments organized by the University Sports Center throughout the academic year. In addition to the recreational sports program, you can acquire interdisciplinary key competences with us and obtain valuable credit points for your studies.

Webseite | Instagram | Facebook

mehrere Personen auf Trampolinen
Photo: Julia Schoenberner

Feel Good Campus

We – the team of the Feel Good Campus – would like to bid you a warm welcome at the University of Potsdam. It is very important for us to make campus life and university studies even more attractive. To this end, we are working with various university institutions and want to show you, especially at the beginning of your studies, the different opportunities and possibilities to get involved, to be well prepared for your studies and to discover student life.

If this sounds interesting to you, please have a look at our offers for the winter semester. You can find the latest news about this and our contact details on our website.

We look forward to hearing from you and wish you a great start at the university.

Website: www.uni-potsdam.de/de/hochschulsport/specials/angebote-speziell-fuer-studierende


Equal Opportunity Coordination Office

Graphi einer geöffneten Tür mit blauer Schrift auf weißem Hintergrund
Photo: Koordinationsbüro für Chancengleichheit

The Coordination Office for Equal Opportunity, under the direction of the Central Equal Opportunity Officer, provides information, advice and raises awareness on university policy equality issues and diversity. We actively work to reduce all forms of discrimination, offer advice and support during studies, and regularly invite students to events.
You can find more information about our work, concrete offers and current events on our homepage: www.uni-potsdam.de/de/gleichstellung.
An overview of the counseling services in case of discrimination at the UP can be found here: www.uni-potsdam.de/de/diskriminierungsfreie-hochschule/

Graphi einer geöffneten Tür mit blauer Schrift auf weißem Hintergrund
Photo: Koordinationsbüro für Chancengleichheit

STEM Study Orientation at the University of Potsdam

grauer Hintergrund mit grafischen Elementen zu Naturwissenschaften
Picture: MINT Universität Potsdam

The STEM area of the study orientation is committed to the enthusiasm of all genders for STEM subjects and their promotion. We achieve this through the following projects, among others:

  •     STEM career and study orientation course
  •     Workshops with a focus on "Roberta and Calliope programming"
  •     Potential assessment procedure "tasteMINT"
  •     and more

For study orientation in the STEM field, we are looking for enthusiastic students who enjoy communicating their passion for the subject. Get to know us at the "Market of Opportunities" or on our website. We look forward to meeting you!

grauer Hintergrund mit grafischen Elementen zu Naturwissenschaften
Picture: MINT Universität Potsdam

Career Service & University College

Blue background with white writing and graphics
Photo: Nina Tschirner

The "Career Service and University College" department in the Center for Quality Development in Teaching and Learning is concerned with shaping the transitions in the course of studies and supports students in successfully mastering the exciting phases of entering and leaving their studies. The University College is the point of contact for the start of studies, the Career Service for the transition from studies to professional life. Practical orientation, however, plays an important role throughout the course of your studies - even at the beginning of your studies. Thus, we work together to accompany you through your studies in a motivated and goal-oriented manner.

We support you with concrete offers in your professional orientation and in strategically and individually shaping your career entry. In this way, you can shape your studies in a practical way and discover your personal career path.

Further information about our work and concrete offers can be found at: https://www.uni-potsdam.de/de/zfq//warmup-2021-careerservice-unikolleg

Blue background with white writing and graphics
Photo: Nina Tschirner

Potsdam Transfer

Zwei Frauen am Schreibtisch
Photo: Tilo Bergemann

Potsdam Transfer offers all students and members of the University of Potsdam individual support for the realization of their own business ideas.
We have developed an extensive qualification program for this purpose. In addition to workshops and coaching processes, we offer consulting on various funding programs such as the EXIST start-up grant or EXIST research transfer.
Potsdam Transfer regularly hosts various events with network partners from the Berlin and Potsdam start-up scene. From our „Start-up Story Night“ via livestream offers to the three day immersion workshop ”Startrampe” – valuable know how is shared by industry experts.

www.potsdam-transfer.de

 

 

Zwei Frauen am Schreibtisch
Photo: Tilo Bergemann

UNIshop Potsdam

Im Vordergrund zwei Quietscheenten, im Hintergrund bunte T-Shirts auf einem Tisch
Photo: UNIshop

At WarmUP, the UNIshop Potsdam is always there, too! Stop by at our pop-up sales or in the presence stores and discover the variety of merchandising products of the University of Potsdam - from the new practical weekender bag, mugs with the Potsdam skyline, T-shirts in different designs to stylish hoodies. At the UNIshop you will definitely find something with the university logo and make a statement: this is my university from now on!

The concept of the UNIshop has been realized since 2006 by employees of the UP Transfer GmbH and changing student teams of the "Marketing Projekt UNIshop".

Onlineshop | Instagram

 

Im Vordergrund zwei Quietscheenten, im Hintergrund bunte T-Shirts auf einem Tisch
Photo: UNIshop

Potsdam Association for Student Affairs (Studentenwerk)

Gebäude mit Glastüren
Photo: Studentenwerk Potsdam
Der Hauptsitz des Studentenwerks ist zentral gelegen und befindet sich gleich neben den Bahnhofspassagen (Eingang Lange Brücke)

The Studentenwerk's headquarters are located in the center of Potsdam, right next to the central train station’s shopping center (entrance Lange Brücke)

Your time at school is over and your university studies are about to begin. This new stage of your life is accompanied by many questions that cannot be answered in lecture halls and seminar rooms. We are here to answer them. Where can I find affordable housing? How can I finance my studies? Who can help me with all the paperwork and help me when I am worried? Where can I get a healthy and affordable lunch? We offer affordable rooms in our student residences and are your contact for all matters concerning BAföG financial aid. We can also help you find a suitable part-time job. Did you get lost in a maze of paperwork or have no one around to listen? – Our counseling services are aimed at students in a variety of life situations. And the best part is: In our canteens and cafeterias we offer daily meals that are freshly prepared and affordable for students.

You can find a presentation of the Studentenwerk here: “SANS SOUCI - Study without Worries”

www.studentenwerk-potsdam.de | Facebook | Instagram | Presentation Studying with BaföG

Gebäude mit Glastüren
Photo: Studentenwerk Potsdam
Der Hauptsitz des Studentenwerks ist zentral gelegen und befindet sich gleich neben den Bahnhofspassagen (Eingang Lange Brücke)

BAföG (German Financial Aid) at the Beginning of your Studies

Your studies are starting but you haven’t quite figured out the financial aspects? BaföG is usually granted half as a subsidy and half as an interest-free loan. We will gladly advise and support you.

Eating in our Canteens

The food in our university canteens is freshly prepared – including vegetarian and vegan dishes. When it comes to ingredients, sustainability, regional products and fair trade are most important to us

Affordable housing and working for a good cause with “Housing for Help”

Weekly shopping or gardening: Students help Potsdam residents with everyday chores and get a free room in exchange. If you’d like to get involved, “Housing for Help” is the right initiative for you.


Universitätsgesellschaft Potsdam e.V.

Weißer Hintergrund mit blauer Schrift
Photo: Universitätsgesellschaft Potsdam e.V.

The Universitätsgesellschaft Potsdam sponsors several prizes and scholarships and can look back on numerous success stories that enrich the cultural life at our university. Following the establishment of subject- and industry-specific chapters, we offer our members excellent networking opportunities during and after their studies. The association therefore acts as a bridge between academia, business and society, with the aim of working together to do good for our university location.

You have an idea that needs support? We can help! You want to exchange ideas and take advantage of our many contacts? Write us an e-mail and become a part of our successful network: unigesellschaft@uni-potsdam.de

Weißer Hintergrund mit blauer Schrift
Photo: Universitätsgesellschaft Potsdam e.V.

Partnerkreis Industrie & Wirtschaft (Partner Group Industry & Economy)

Mehrere Studierende auf einer Messe
Photo: Thomas Roese

Since 2014 the partner group "Industry & Economy" has consciously strengthened the cooperation between science and practice in business and administration. In addition to closer cooperation between regional companies and our university, we bring students and companies from the region together and make it easier for our students to transition from university to the labor market, be it through internships, student traineeships or entry after graduation. During the WarmUP week we are present at all campuses and are giving away attractive goodies from partner companies and institutions of the University of Potsdam. Students can find out about current vacancies for internships and student trainee positions.

Our partners also offer interesting workshops on various topics during the WarmUP week. You can find all topics and dates here.

 

Mehrere Studierende auf einer Messe
Photo: Thomas Roese