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Potsdam is Brandenburg's capital and sits just one S-Bahn stop from Berlin. Around 28,000 students are enrolled at Potsdam's universities. Beyond the public University of Potsdam, several private universities have established themselves: Potsdam University of Applied Sciences for Sport and Management trains sports managers and coaches, Gisma University of Applied Sciences focuses on international business programmes, and Döpfer University of Applied Sciences specialises in health professions. Most programmes have no NC restriction.
Why study at a private university in Potsdam?
Potsdam combines proximity to Germany's capital with a compact, green university environment. The city has the highest proportion of green spaces among all German state capitals – parks, lakes, and palaces shape the cityscape. At the same time, Potsdam's innovation campus with start-ups and research institutes is a growing tech cluster.
Universities with distinct profiles
Potsdam University of Applied Sciences for Sport and Management is one of the few universities in Germany offering sports management and sports therapy on campus – with access to Potsdam's Olympic training centre. Gisma offers MBA and business programmes in English. XU Exponential University focuses on digital transformation, AI, and coding. The University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE) covers design, business, and sports.
Berlin next door
The S-Bahn takes you to Berlin's central station in 25 minutes. You benefit from Berlin's job market and cultural scene while paying significantly less rent. Potsdam's Medienstadt Babelsberg (Studio Babelsberg, UFA) and proximity to the Film University make the city attractive for creative and media students.
What does it cost to live and study in Potsdam?
Potsdam is more affordable than Berlin but pricier than most eastern German cities. The cost of living index is 76. Monthly total costs: €850–1,100.
Rent and housing
A room in a shared flat costs between €400 and €550 per month. Babelsberg, Brandenburger Vorstadt, and Potsdam West are popular areas. Proximity to Berlin pushes prices up, but dormitory rooms through the Studierendenwerk are available from around €250.
Sample monthly budget
- Rent (shared flat): €480
- Health insurance: €110
- Semester ticket: €35
- Groceries & household: €210
- Leisure & culture: €100
- Total: approx. €935 per month (excluding tuition fees)
Admission, requirements, and financing
Private universities in Potsdam are NC-free. Tuition varies by university – at the FH Sport und Management from around €400/month, at Gisma from €700/month. BAföG is available at all state-recognised institutions. Studying without Abitur is possible.
International applicants
If you hold a non-German school-leaving certificate, verify recognition at anabin.kmk.org. Gisma and UE offer full degree programmes in English. XU has selected English-taught modules. For a completely English-taught degree, Gisma and UE are your best options in Potsdam.
Frequently asked questions about studying privately in Potsdam
Yes. The VBB semester ticket covers all of Berlin-Brandenburg. Many students combine Potsdam's lower rents with Berlin's offerings. The S-Bahn connects Potsdam Hauptbahnhof to central Berlin in 25 minutes.
The Potsdam University of Applied Sciences for Sport and Management cooperates with the Olympic training centre Brandenburg. Students have access to professional training facilities and can combine competitive sports with their studies.
Potsdam-Babelsberg is one of the world's oldest film production sites. Studio Babelsberg, UFA, and numerous production companies are based here. While the Film University Babelsberg is public, private universities like UE offer design and communication programmes that benefit from the media cluster.
Potsdam has a quieter social scene than Berlin. There are bars and cafés around Brandenburger Straße and the Dutch Quarter. For a bigger nightlife selection, hop on the S-Bahn to Berlin – clubs and cultural venues are reachable in under 40 minutes.
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