FAQs

The International Summer Campus is the central platform of the University of Potsdam for short-term programs. The varied offer includes three program lines for international target groups. This includes subject-specific summer schools, tailor-made programs for partner institutions and intensive German courses for international students.

The International Summer Campus offers three program lines:

1. Summer School Programs:

Summer School Programs are subject-specific courses for international students, PhDs and PostDocs. The courses are primarily held in English.

1. Tailor Made Programs:

Tailor Made Programs are individual programs for closed groups from international partner universities.

1. Intensive Language Programs:

Intensive Language Programs offer intercultural language and specialist courses in German:

Deutsch(land)kurs Willkommen: two-week orientation course for students in mobility and exchange programs (e.g. Erasmus) before the start of the semester in spring and the fall.

International Summer Academy Sans Souci (ISAS): four-week summer program in August focusing German language, culture and history for students with advanced knowledge of German

The programs mainly take place on the campus Am Neuen Palais of the University of Potsdam. For details on the venue, please refer to the respective program description.

Generally, no enrollment is required for short-term programs of the International Summer Campus. Enrollment is only possible for students in regular courses or in mobility and exchange programs. Please note that the Deutsch(land)kurs Willkommen usually takes place before the start of the semester. The exact dates can be found in the respective course description.

In selected programs of the International Summer Campus you can acquire credit points according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). For details, please refer to the respective program description. One ECTS credit point corresponds to a workload of 25-30 hours. In addition to the face-to-face events, the workload also includes excursions and time for self-study.

For programs in which you can acquire credit points, you will receive a certificate upon successful completion. The certificate contains all important information about the program (title and duration of the course, number of contact hours, credit points, grade if necessary). If no credit points are planned, you will usually receive a certificate of attendance.

The general conditions of participation and course-specific requirements (e.g. language or specialist knowledge) apply to the programs of the International Summer Campus. The minimum age for participation in the programs is generally 18 years. For the International Summer Academy Sans Souci (ISAS), underage participants aged 16 and over can be admitted after consulting the ISCO. In this case, the ISCO needs a declaration of consent and a copy of ID from the parents or legal guardians. Please refer to the respective program description for particular subject-specific or linguistic requirements.

You do not need a language certificate to register. As part of the Intensive Language Programs, you will take a placement test at the beginning of the program. Based on the results, we will assign you to the language course that is right for you. Please note that a language level that is too low can mean that you will not complete the program successfully and will not be able to acquire credit points.

Usually, payment can be done by bank transfer. If fees are incurred for the transfer, these costs must be borne by the participants.

Reimbursement of fees already paid is only possible under certain conditions. For details on the withdrawal and cancellation regulations, please refer to the conditions of participation.

The classification into the language courses of the Intensive Language Programs is based on the results of the placement test. A change of course is only possible in exceptional cases and within the scope of the available capacities after consultation with the ISCO.

Students from countries of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland generally do not need a visa. Participants from other countries should find out about the current visa requirements on the website of the Federal Foreign Office at an early stage. Since a visa can take several months to be issued, students should allow sufficient time for the application.

Please check regularly for international travel and quarantine regulations for your country of departure. Current information is available on the following websites:

BMI

European Commission

German Foreign Office

Federal Ministry of Health

Please also note that proof of vaccination with an EU-approved vaccine may be required for some countries. A list of approved vaccines can be found here.

The campus Am Neuen Palais is located on the western edge of the Sanssouci Park and is easily accessible by public transport. From the nearest train station "Potsdam, Park Sanssouci" it is a 10-minute walk to the campus. You can find information on current connections at any time on the website of the Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg (VBB). For trips between Berlin and Potsdam you need a ticket with the “Berlin ABC” tariff. Further information on arrival you can find here.

On the campus of the University of Potsdam, all participants have access to the university's own WLAN. If you have booked accommodation in the student dormitory through ISCO, Internet access is possible there via LAN cable. You either bring the appropriate cable (or a WLAN router) with you from home or you can buy it on-site in Potsdam. In order to activate internet connection in the student residence, the ISCO asks for the MAC address of your computer before the start of the program. Students who live with a host family have access to WiFi there.

The ISCO offers accommodation for selected programs. For details, please refer to the respective program description.

• International Summer Academy Sans Souci (ISAS): ISCO arranges a limited contingent of single rooms in the student dormitory of the Studentenwerk Potsdam. You can book a room directly when registering for ISAS online. The bedding is included in the rental price.

• Tailor Made Programs: At the request of partner institution there is the possibility of accommodation in host families, hotels or hostels.

Alternatively, students are free to look for private accommodation in Potsdam or Berlin. On the ISCO website you will find useful information on individual housing options. Important note about the Deutsch(land)kurs Willkommen: Students in mobility and exchange programs (e.g. Erasmus) apply independently for a place in a dormitory at the Studentenwerk Potsdam. Further information is available on the UPrepare online platform.

All rooms of the Studentenwerk Potsdam have a basic set of furniture including bed, wardrobe, shelf, desk and possibly your own refrigerator. The kitchen and bathrooms are shared with other students. Basic equipment is available in the communal kitchens. Please be prepared for the fact that you may need your own dishes. There are no towels, bedding (pillows, blankets, sheets), adapters for sockets, hairdryers and LAN cables. For participants of the International Summer Academy Sans Souci (ISAS) bed linen is included in the rental price.

Usually, no meals are included. Exceptions apply to certain Tailor Made Programs, e.g. in the case of accommodation in hostels or host families.

The Studentenwerk Potsdam has several dormitories throughout the city. The campus of the University of Potsdam can be reached by public transport from all dormitory locations. The public transport system in Potsdam is developed very well. For trips within Potsdam and to Berlin, travelers can use trams, buses, S-Bahn, U-Bahn and regional trains. There are also many places where you can borrow bicycles.