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In order to study at the University of Potsdam, you must first apply at your home institution or a stipend-granting institution. You will then be nominated by one of these institutions. After we receive your nomination we will e-mail you with further information on the application procedure and the online platform UPrepare.
Once you have received the email with details on the application procedure and the online platform, please register with UPrepare. After we have processed your registration, you will receive a confirmation by e-mail. This process may take a few days.
Important: You should log into UPrepare regularly, at least several times per month, so that you don't miss any important information. In the main window, you will find current tasks and news (if applicable). The menu on the left side will take you to the two main fields:
Through UPrepare you will receive a link to the online application. You must there complete a separate registration.
Should the application form not offer you the choice for selecting your home university, your home country, or other applicable information, please select an option that fits most closely and then correct the non-applicable entry by hand in the paper version that you are sending to us.
Upon submission of the online application, a PDF file will be generated. Please print this document. The hard copy of your application must arrive by July 15 or January 15, at the latest.
All available courses can be found in the Course Catalog which is updated around 2 weeks before the semester starts. Until then please use the course catalog of the past summer or winter semesterfor your orientation and search of courses.
The faculties offer so-called "Annotated Course Catalogs" (kommentierte Vorlesungsverzeichnisse). These catalogs offer course descriptions and provide details on required readings or course materials. The amount of ECTS points for a course is usually published in the course catalog. The "Leistungspunkte (LP)" (=credits) are mentioned in the "commentaries" on the courses. Some departments also list general information regarding ECTS on their homepages. If you need more information about the individual courses e.g. the amount of ECTS points given, please contact the lecturers.
You then enter the courses from your planned course schedule into the Learning Agreement.
If you have to submit the Learning Agreement to your home university prior to your departure, please send it to the International Office along with your application materials by the application deadline July 15/January 15, respectively. It will then be returned to you along with your information letter in August or February. If not it is sufficient if you bring it with you to Potsdam in October or April.
If your home university accepts Online Learning Agreement (OLA), you can use a paper-free version of your Learning Agreement. Please, visit this link: Link to OLA-Portal
You'll need the following data for your Online Learning Agreement:
The official day of arrival in Potsdam is normally October 1 for the winter semester or April 1 for the summer semester (should this date fall on a weekend or a holiday, the day of arrival is on the following working day). Arriving by the arrival date is very important as it ensures that you do not miss the Welcome Meeting and the distribution of your information packets.
If you arrive in Potsdam prior to October 1 or April 1, respectively, you must make your own accommodation arrangements. It is not possible to stay in the student dormitories before those dates!
The mandatory orientation and information events for all incoming international exchange and program students generally begin on October 1 or April 1, i.e. before the beginning of instruction. Detailed information will be provided in the information letter sent to you by the International Office and through UPrepare.
During these events, incoming students will receive important information about organizational matters, leisure time activities, as well as help in finding their way around in their new surroundings. Erasmus students will receive comprehensive information on the individual design of their studies from their departmental Erasmus+ coordinators. Course enrollment will also take place before the beginning of the instructional period.
Proof of sufficient Funds
You are not required to provide proof of your German language proficiency. However, a majority of the courses at the University of Potsdam is conducted in German. We thus urge you to acquire proficiency in German (at least level B1) before coming to Potsdam. There are only a few courses taught in English
two weeks semester preparing course
(pronunciation, grammar, oral and written communication, intercultural communication, academic language)
Special courses only for students of German studies.