English 
Deutsch Who this B.Sc. in Computer Science fits – and what you need to get in
This full-time, on-campus programme in Potsdam (near Berlin) suits you if you want a recognised European tech degree and to start a career in Germany or the EU. Typical profiles include school leavers aiming for software roles, career starters who already tried coding and want to formalise skills, and internationally mobile applicants seeking an English-taught pathway into Europe’s digital job market. If you enjoy logical thinking, problem solving and building things with code, the curriculum’s mix of programming, AI, data and software engineering will fit.
Admission requirements
You apply with a higher education entrance qualification and proof of English. The programme is taught in English; no German certificate is required for admission.
- University entrance: a secondary school leaving certificate that entitles you to apply for a bachelor’s degree in the country where it was issued.
- English language: B2 level (IELTS 6.0 overall, minimum 5.5 in each component), or equivalent scores in TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE or Duolingo. Gisma also offers a free English test.
- Admission test: international applicants must pass an entrance examination.
- Start dates: January, April, July or October; study mode: on-campus full-time with hybrid elements; duration: 6 semesters, 180 ECTS.
- No German Abitur? Direct admission is possible with a recognised foreign school certificate. If you do not meet direct entry, a structured pathway is available via the Gisma Foundation Programme.
- Recognition and quality: the programme is state-recognised and programme-accredited (FIBAA) until 30 September 2031.
Documents are assessed individually for equivalence. If your qualification is borderline for direct entry, you can strengthen your application with strong maths results, evidence of coding projects or completion of the Foundation Programme.
Personal requirements
Expect a full-time workload. 180 ECTS over six semesters translates to roughly 25–35 study hours per week across lectures, labs, group work and self-study. Success in this degree requires consistent self-organisation, perseverance with debugging and algorithms, and the discipline to practise coding daily. Solid maths (algebra, functions, basic probability) and confident academic English help you progress faster; you will write reports and present project work in English. While German is not required for coursework, basic German will make everyday life in Potsdam and finding internships easier. Plan realistically for peak weeks around project deadlines and exams, build a weekly routine for reading, coding and revision, and use campus support (labs, coaching, study groups) early whenever you get stuck. Continuous effort beats cramming in computer science.
What will you study in the B.Sc. Computer Science at Gisma University of Applied Sciences?
You study core computer science from first principles through to real-world delivery. Themes span programming and software engineering, data and AI, systems and security, plus business and intercultural skills. You complete 180 ECTS over six semesters, including an internship, a career development semester with an end-to-end project, and the Bachelor’s thesis.
Foundations and programming: you build up from Introduction to Programming to Advanced Programming, then structure your thinking with Data Structures & Algorithms. Method modules such as Mathematical Foundations, Statistics, and Academic Writing & Research Methods ensure you can reason formally and document your work to academic standards.
Software engineering and development: you progress from Software Engineering principles into App & Web Development and a hands-on Computer Science Lab. A capstone End-to-End Computer Science Project trains you to scope a business problem, collect and process data, build and test a solution, and deliver it like in a professional setting.
Data, AI and analytics: Databases & Big Data and Applied Statistical Modelling prepare you for data-heavy tasks. Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and AI Applications for Digital Business introduce modern techniques and their implementation, from model selection to evaluation and deployment in business contexts.
Systems, networks and security: you study Operating Systems and Computer Networks to understand how modern computing stacks work, complemented by Cyber Security to design and defend resilient systems.
Business and soft skills: modules like Project Management, Digital Transformation and Cases, Innovation Management in a Digital and Globalised World, Sustainability Management, and Creative Problem Solving & Strategy Development connect tech with management. A Foreign Language module strengthens your international profile.
Mobility and practical elements: the curriculum includes a mobility window in semester 5 for a study-abroad option or additional applied modules, plus an internship. The programme is offered by a Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences) with a strong practical focus and is staatlich anerkannt (state-recognised) in Germany.
How does studying in the B.Sc. Computer Science work?
The programme is a full-time, on-campus degree in Potsdam with hybrid elements. Teaching runs year-round with intakes in January, April, July and October. You learn in lectures, seminars, case studies and team projects, supported by coaching and digital tools on the Smart Campus.
English-medium teaching and language proof
The degree is taught entirely in English and targets international cohorts. You typically need English at CEFR B2 level. Accepted tests include IELTS (overall 6.0, minimum 5.5 in each band) or equivalent TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE or Duolingo results. This lets you study in Germany without prior German.
Full-time on campus in Potsdam, Berlin–Brandenburg tech cluster
You study on Gisma’s Smart Campus in Potsdam, located on the SAP Think Campus and linked to Berlin by S-Bahn and regional transport. Potsdam combines historic parks and palaces with a growing tech scene. Proximity to companies such as SAP and Tesla creates touchpoints for projects, guest talks and internships.
Learning design, coaching and labs
Teaching blends in-person classes with e-learning sessions. Expect a mix of theory and hands-on work: group exercises, online discussions and project-based learning. Individual coaching and access to modern labs and collaboration spaces support your progress; the Career Centre helps connect your coursework with internships and graduate roles.
Assessments and capstones
Assessment focuses on applied outcomes. Across the degree you produce software artefacts and analytical work, culminating in the End-to-End Computer Science Project during the career development semester and the independent Bachelor’s thesis. These demonstrate that you can translate theory into solutions an employer could adopt.
What does the B.Sc. Computer Science cost?
Tuition is charged per academic year and differs by residency status. For applicants from Germany/EU, fees start at €8,500 per year (three years ≈ €25,500). For international applicants, fees start at €11,575 per year (three years ≈ €34,725). Payments are commonly made per semester or year; instalment options are available.
Beyond tuition, plan for personal study expenses (e.g. laptop, textbooks) and living costs in the Potsdam/Berlin region. The university cooperates with Edge Student Hub on accommodation packages within commuting distance of campus, and offers scholarships and financing models for eligible students. Exact scholarship criteria and instalment plans are set by the university and can vary by intake.
What careers and recognition does the B.Sc. Computer Science offer?
The programme carries 180 ECTS credits and follows the Bologna framework, which eases recognition across the EU and supports admission to related Master’s degrees. Gisma University of Applied Sciences is state-recognised (staatlich anerkannt) in Germany. The programme itself is accredited by FIBAA and holds the quality seal of the German Accreditation Council from 01/10/2023 to 30/09/2031 without conditions. These signals matter internationally: they confirm academic quality, workload and learning outcomes to employers and universities.
With practical projects, an internship and strong links to the Berlin–Brandenburg tech ecosystem (including SAP University Alliances), you graduate “work ready”. Typical roles in Germany, the EU and beyond include:
- Software developer or software engineer (backend, frontend or full-stack)
- App or web developer; multimedia or games programmer
- Data analyst or junior machine learning engineer
- Cybersecurity analyst or network specialist
- IT consultant or information systems manager in digital transformation projects
Entry salaries vary by role and region. Berlin/Brandenburg offers a broad start-up and corporate market; relevant internships and the end-to-end project can help you position for higher-responsibility graduate roles.
Who is the B.Sc. Computer Science right for – and who not?
This degree suits you if you want an English-taught, practice-oriented computer science education in Germany with clear accreditation and strong ties to industry. It combines solid CS theory with labs, projects and a career development semester.
- You want to study entirely in English at a state-recognised university of applied sciences in Germany.
- You value hands-on work: building software, working with data, and presenting results to real stakeholders.
- You are interested in AI, software engineering, cybersecurity and digital business applications.
- You prefer smaller, project-centred teaching with coaching over purely theoretical lectures.
- You plan to start a career in the EU tech market and appreciate industry partnerships such as SAP University Alliances.
It is not the right fit for everyone. Consider alternatives if the format or cost structure does not match your situation.
- You are looking for a German-taught programme; this B.Sc. is taught in English and expects B2 English proficiency.
- You cannot relocate for on-campus study in Potsdam; this is a full-time presence programme, not distance learning.
- You need the very lowest tuition available in Germany; private universities charge higher fees than most public universities.
- You seek direct qualification for regulated professions (e.g. medicine, law); computer science is non-regulated and industry-driven.
Advisory Service
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To improve his English before starting the bachelor’s, your son could consider taking an external English language course to meet the entry requirements. Regarding admission, he must hold a school leaving certificate that qualifies for direct application to a bachelor’s degree programme in the country where it was issued. The vocational high school diploma (Berufsschule) is typically not equivalent to the German Abitur or an equivalent university entrance qualification, so additional qualification or assessment might be necessary.
International students are also required to take an entrance test.
It would be best to contact the university directly to clarify if your son’s vocational diploma is accepted or if he needs to complete additional qualifications. Also, they may advise on suitable language preparation options or alternative pathways.
If you want, I can help you find language preparation programmes or further information on entry requirements. Would you like me to provide more details?