Information for first semesters at HPI

Start of studies October 2026 (winter semester, Bachelor and Master)#

HPI pre-course [for Bachelor]#

Date: estimated Monday, 14.09.2026 to Friday, 02.10.2025 Venue: Lecture hall 1 at Campus I in Griebnitzsee

  • On the first day, non-binding registration opens at 8:45 a.m. in front of the lecture hall.
  • Objective 1: Refreshing previous math knowledge from school and closing gaps in knowledge so that the transition to the math lecture is easier.
  • Objective 2: Prepare your computer for your studies and familiarize yourself with some new software so that you can start the programming lecture more relaxed. A comprehensive technical introduction will then take place during the Welcome Days (see below).
  • The course is also a good opportunity to get to know future fellow students without the stress of exams, time pressure, etc.
  • On some days, HPI lecturers will provide brief insights into future course content, and there will also be an opportunity to try out our Maker Universe.
  • Those who are unable to attend in person are invited to take the [openHPI Math Prep Course] (https://open.hpi.de/courses/mathe2023) instead. The course was created in 2023 but is still relevant today.
  • Signing up is not necessary.
  • A barbecue is planned for the first day after the preliminary course to get to know each other better.

Official introduction at HPI [for Bachelor and Master]#

Date Bachelor: Tuesday, 06.10.2026 to Friday, 09.10.2026. Meeting point 06.10., 10:30 a.m. in the foyer of the lecture hall building. Date Master: Thursday, 08.10.2026 and Friday, 09.10.2026. Meeting point 08.10., 09:00 a.m. in the foyer of the lecture hall building.

  • During the introduction days you will learn everything you need to know for your first semester at HPI. It will take place all day; please do not make any other plans.
  • You will get a campus tour around the three HPI campuses, get to know all contact persons for the start of your studies, receive your HPI account as well as your access chip for the internal areas and a technical introduction. There will also be testimonials from students.
  • For the technical introduction, we recommend that you bring your own laptop so that you can configure all the settings relevant for the start of your studies.

You should attend the introduction on in any case! Please let us know by email to fachschaftsrat@hpi.de if you cannot attend (parts of) the introduction in person. Further information will be published here in good time. Until then you can always ask us questions via email.

Freshman trip [for Bachelor]#

Date: not yet determined

  • Traditionally, a Freshman trip for all students in the first semester is offered. This is a great way to get to know each other.
  • Participation in the Freshman trip is of course not a prerequisite for a successful start to your studies, but an optional offer from your new fellow students.
  • The cost of participating in the Erstifahrt is expected to be €70-80. (If the costs are an obstacle for you, there is usually the possibility of receiving a subsidy).
  • You will receive further information and an application form via e-mail in good time.

Dates#

  • The official start of the 2026/2027 winter semester is October 1, 2026.
  • The actual lecture period for the 2026/2027 winter semester begins on October 12, 2026, and ends on February 5, 2027.
  • Exams will mainly take place between February 8 and March 5, 2027. However, the exact exam dates will only be determined during the semester.
  • A current overview of dates is available on the University of Potsdam website (The summer break does not apply at HPI.)

Welcome at the University of Potsdam#

  • At the beginning of the semester, there is usually an official welcome ceremony for all first semester students at the University of Potsdam.
  • The WarmUP! usually takes place in the first week of lectures and offers a varied cultural program.
  • Find more information on StudiUP and WarmUP! .

University Websites#

Website:https://www.uni-potsdam.de/en/studium/zielgruppeneinstieg/first-semester-students-students/overview

The university websites offer useful tips for starting your studies. You will only have to deal with the PULS (online enrolment system of the University of Potsdam) in exceptional cases. You will be informed about everything important regarding the enrolment during the introduction days and via e-mail during the first week of the semester.

Start of studies April 2026 (summer semester, Master's only)#

Official introduction at HPI#

Date: April 10, 2026, 9:00 a.m. in the D-Space (top floor) of the main building on the HPI Campus I at Griebnitzsee. We will send you all further information and a link for pre-registration by email.

  • During the Welcome Day, you will learn everything you need to know for your first semester at HPI. The program lasts all day, so please do not make any other plans.
  • You will get a campus tour around the three HPI campuses, get to know all contact persons for the start of your studies, receive your HPI account as well as your access chip for the internal areas and a technical introduction. There will also be testimonials from students.
  • For the technical introduction, we recommend that you bring your own laptop so that you can configure all the settings relevant for the start of your studies.

You should attend the introduction in any case! Please let us know via an email to fachschaftsrat@hpi.de if you cannot attend (parts of) the introduction in person. Further information will be published here in good time.

The Welcome Day begins on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the D-Space (top floor) of the main building on HPI Campus I. Please check this page again to see if there have been any changes to the meeting place or time.

Until then you can always ask us questions via email.

Start of lectures#

The lecture period for the 2026 summer semester begins on April 13, 2026, and ends on July 24, 2026.

University Websites#

Website:https://www.uni-potsdam.de/en/studium/zielgruppeneinstieg/first-semester-students-students/overview

The university websites offer useful tips for starting your studies. You will only have to deal with the PULS (online enrolment system of the University of Potsdam) in exceptional cases. You will be informed about everything important regarding the enrolment during the introduction day and via e-mail during the first week of the semester.

Leisure and additional offers#

Potsdam, the university and the HPI offer a wide range of opportunities for your studies and leisure time. You will get to know most of them in time during your studies. Here we would like to briefly describe the most relevant ones.

University sports#

Website:https://www.uni-potsdam.de/en/hochschulsport

  • The university sports offers are very diverse and usually very affordable.
  • They offer a good opportunity to get to know students from other academic courses.
  • The enrolment begins early in the semester and some offers are often booked out after a few minutes, so it's worth informing yourself early and being quick!

Language Center#

Website:http://www.uni-potsdam.de/zessko

  • The Center for Languages of the University of Potsdam (ZESSKO ) offers various courses in which you can enrol online only.
  • The exact enrollment period is noted on the ZESSKO website.
  • If you would like to improve your English skills, HPI also offers its own English courses in its Professional Skills Program.

Teaching company#

  • All HPI courses take place at the Griebnitzsee campus, right next to the "Griebnitzsee" S-Bahn station.
  • Language courses at the University of Potsdam take place at the Language Center on the Griebnitzsee campus.
  • Other courses at the University of Potsdam (relevant from the 3rd semester at the earliest) may take place at different locations.

Laptops#

  • Just as it is not compulsory to have a pencil in a math course, it is not compulsory for us to have a laptop. However, it is much easier if you have one.
  • It doesn't matter whether you use a Windows, Apple or Linux laptop. If you can feel comfortable with your current operating system, then there is no reason to switch. This way you can continue using the applications you already used before.
  • In exceptional cases, a course may require a Linux or Windows installation. But virtual machines are easily created for this purpose and these two operating systems are also installed on the numerous pool computers.
  • Finally, please note that students can get some laptops from Lenovo and Apple at a discount in exchange for a student certificate. You should also look out for discounts for students at other providers.

Public transportation#

The HPI is located right next to the Griebnitzsee S-Bahn station in Potsdam, making it easy to reach from Berlin by taking the S7 train. In addition, the RB 21 and RB 22 go via Griebnitzsee. For information on connections have a look at

You can use tools like Mapnificent to see where you can live to get to HPI in X minutes.

Studierendenwerk#

  • Das Studierendenwerk West:Brandenburg erleichtert allen Studierenden das Studium. * Zu seinen Services zählen zum Beispiel Studierendenwohnheime, BAföG-Verwaltung, Mensen und Cafeterien, Jobvermittlung und diverse Beratungen.

Student residences#

General#

  • Living in the halls of residence of the Studierendenwerk offers many advantages: Comparatively very affordable rent, contact with many other students, proximity to campus, furnishings (kitchen, bed, desk, shelves, wardrobe, chairs) and shared washing machines and dryers
  • Please note that the halls of residence are very popular! It is possible to apply one semester in advance without a certificate of enrolment. Places are generally allocated according to the order in which they are received. Further information on the application procedure and deadlines can be found here .
  • Wenn du einen im Oktober beginnenden Mietvertrag für ein Zimmer in der Stahnsdorfer Straße abgeschlossen hast, für den HPI-Vorkurs aber gerne schon vorher einziehen würdest, kannst du bei Herr Kevin Miehe (wohnen-service4@stwwb.de) nachfragen, ob das Zimmer eventuell schon früher frei wird. Andernfalls besteht die Möglichkeit, deine:n Vormieter:in aufzusuchen und mit diesem abzusprechen, ob ein früherer Einzug möglich ist.
  • As the halls of residence are social housing, there is no second residence tax. However, you still have to register your new residence with the authorities.

Student residence Stahnsdorfer Straße#

  • Mainly 2-bed shared apartments, few single apartments and 3-bed shared flats
  • Located right next to the HPI
  • More information about this residential complex can be found hier .

Student residence Park Babelsberg#

  • Mainly 4- and 5-person shared flats
  • About 2.5 km away from HPI
  • One disadvantage is the rather poor transport links, especially at night, but easy to reach by bike.
  • More information about this residential complex can be found hier .

Student residence Breite Straße and Kiezstraße#

  • Mainly single apartments, some 2-person shared flats and family apartments
  • Right in the city, ten minutes from the main train station
  • One disadvantage is the noise level from the street directly in front of the door.
  • More information on these residential complexes can be found here and here .

Student residence Rosenstraße#

  • Mainly single apartments
  • One advantage is that some of the apartments have a balcony and are less "dormitory-like".
  • One disadvantage is that, unlike the other apartments, the Studierendenwerk (or the UP's "ZIM") cannot provide internet access here. This means that you have to take care of this yourself, i.e. expect additional costs.
  • More information about this residential complex can be found hier .

The other halls of residence in Potsdam can only be recommended to a limited extent due to their distance from Griebnitzsee. More information about these halls of residence can be found on the Studierendenwerk website.

Private living#

Providers and search portals#

In addition to the Studentenwerk, there are also some private providers who offer accommodation specifically for students. However, these also have limited capacity and are quickly booked out. These include, for example

Apart from this, there is of course always the option of consulting online portals to find accommodation. These include, for example

Further offers can also be found on the page of the University of Potsdam .

Potsdam districts#

  • Babelsberg
    • Distance to HPI: From Babelsberg S-Bahn station four minutes by S-Bahn
    • The living atmosphere: Quite nice, almost all old buildings.
  • At the star
    • Distance to HPI: By bus approx. 10 to 15 minutes, usually faster by bike
    • Living atmosphere: Almost only prefabricated concrete slab buildings (mainly renovated); not too bad; very cheap
  • Am Schlaatz & Drewitz
    • Distance to HPI: By bus/train approx. 15 to 30 minutes.
    • Living atmosphere: Almost only prefabricated buildings
    • Cheapest districts in Potsdam
  • Other districts
    • Some very nice districts (e.g. Berliner Vorstadt, Potsdam West). Closer to Potsdam city center, but mostly further away from HPI and Berlin.

In general, it is also possible to find an apartment in the southern districts of Berlin. However, you often have to reckon with longer travel times and higher rental costs.

Contact#

Any questions? You can check the FAQ for HPI studies and send any questions to the Student Representative Group fachschaftsrat@hpi.de . We'll be happy to help you!