This page contains much important information - please read carefully including the FAQ section below.

•  Please gather as much information as possible on the partner universities and the programs offered, and decide whether to apply for an Erasmus student exchange. 
•  Our partner universities provide extensive information online, please spend some time surfing the university's web sites. 
•  Once you have decided to apply for an Erasmus positon, carefully prepare your application. It should include:
  • Filled out application form (on AAA web page)
  • Letter of application (1-2 pages, English or German). Explain in detail why you intend to spend some time abroad, describe the topics you are going to study there and how the courses offered fit with your personal experiences, skills, and interests.
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Statement of credit points and marks, granted from HPI so far. You can obtain information in the HPI student office.
  • Confirmations or certificates for language skills and/or mention of plans for language courses
• All items should be part of a single pdf document that you can submit via email to the Erasmus coordinator: felix.naumann(at)hpi.uni-potsdam.de
•  To apply for a student exchange position during the academic year 2012 / 2013, your application must reach the Student Exchange Coordinator at HPI by January 20, 2012. 
• See also the general "Ablaufplan" at AAA.

• The decision on acceptance / rejection is based on the letter of application and the performance of the applicant at HPI. 
• If you are accepted, please this this information brochure.
• Letters of acceptance or rejection are typically sent out in February. Once you are accepted, you are invited to provide additional personal information. In particular, you have to fill a form called Annahmeerklärung (AAA web page) in two copies (!) and send it to the Akademisches Auslandsamt of Potsdam University by end of March. 
• In spring, you start to select the particular courses you intend to take abroad. A document called Learning Agreement is prepared by you and approved and signed by the coordinator. Please bring along printouts or send links with the course descriptions you plan to take. Please try to use this form or any other form that requires only one signature per university.
  The learning agreement is sent to the respective partner university. Changes to the learning agreement can be made with the support of the respective coordinator at the local university.
   
• You start with trip arrangements and accommodation. Our partner universities are usually very helpful in organizing student housing and provide additional support. 
•  Frau Heinrich (sekretariat-naumann@hpi.uni-potsdam.de, Phone: 0331 - 5509-280) will assist in the adminstrational details of this process. 

Overview map

See main ERASMUS page for list of Universities and contact information

• Report from Jyväskylä by Tobias Rausch
• Report from Sydney by Stephan Brumme
• Report from Jyväskylä by Florian Wonneberg
• Sebastian Preetz Report from Jyväskylä, Finland
• Report from EFREI, Paris by Christian Adam
• Report from Blekinge, Sweden by Steffen Ryll
• Report from Jyväskylä, Finnland by Alexander Krasnogolowy
• Report from Blekinge by Erik Schleiff
• Report from UC San Diego (not part of ERASMUS program) by Peter Faymonville 2009
• Report from UC San Diego (not part of ERASMUS program) by Tobias Flach 2009
• Report from Blekinge, Sweden by Markus Steiner 2009
• Report from Blekinge, Sweden by Nico Rehwaldt 2010

See also the old Erasmus page.

•  May I apply for student exchange with one particular partner university or may I apply for all available ones? 
  •  We expect you to provide convincing information why you want to go to one particular Institution, so in general we expect people to send in an application for one particular partner university. 
   
•  Do I lose one semester? 
  •  We do not expect students to "lose" a semester. However, you are in charge of selecting relevant courses from the partner universities offers. The courses are then approved by the coordinator, as specified in the learning agreement. As a result, the credit points that you own while abroad can be used in your HPI studies. 
  • You can apply for an "Urlaubssemester" for the duration for your stay. This does not count as "Fachsemester" but you can still receive credit for the courses you have taken abroad.
   
•  May I simultaneously apply for Erasmus at HPI and for other grants? 
  •  In general, yes. However, we expect you to provide this information in your letter of application.
• I am a foreigner. Am I eligible for an Erasmus exchange?
  • NEW: All non-guest students are eligble for an exchange.
• What financial support can I expect?
  • The Erasmus program provides monthly financial support of about 170 Euro for exchange students. Travel expenses are not covered. 
  • Students obtaining BAföG may be eligible for an additional Auslands-BAföG-Zuschuss incl. travel expenses. During this time your "Inlands-BAFöG" rests and will commence upon your return. The tme abroad is not counted towards your "Förderungshöchstdauer" (up to one year).
  • Keep in mind that as an Erasmus student you do not need to pay tuition fees at the university you are visiting.
 
• May I spend multiple semesters as ERASMUS student? 
  •  An ERASMUS stay can be 1 or 2 semesters. 
  • During your entire studies (including Bachelor, Master, and PhD) you can be ERASMUS student only once. 
   
• Can I spend two semesters at two different universities? 
  • In general: No. 
  • Have a look at the PROMOS program.
• Can I extend my ERASMUS stay from 1 semester to a second semester.
  • In general: Yes.
  • Please see this form and some Hinweise.
• Werden "Belegungspunkte" für Veranstaltungen im Ausland abgebucht?
  • Bei Ihrer Rückkehr werden entsprechend der Veranstaltungen, die Sie einbringen wollen, Belegungspunkte abgebucht.
• Können Sprachkurse in den Masterabschluss eingebracht werden?
  • Mit der Masterstudienordnung ab WS 2010 ist dies möglich.
•  Questions that are answered in the text above 
  •  When should I apply? 
  •  What should I send to apply? 
  •  Which options do I have?