Teaching at the Hasso Plattner Institute for Software Systems Engineering focuses on IT-Systems Engineering, in particular on the aspect of software. To begin with, students are given a thorough grounding in computer science. Course content is specifically geared to current and future requirements of the IT sector.

IT systems engineering is concerned with the conception, design and deployment of complex IT systems based on findings and developments in the field of computer and information science as well as on experience with their practical application in the business world and society at large. Engineering-based methods are used to teach students about the models, processes, architectures and performance of such systems and enable them to gain initial practical experience of their own in this area.

HPI offers a six-semester Bachelor's program, and a Master's program lasting a further four semesters. Our Bachelor's and Master's degrees are internationally recognized. Doctoral degrees can, of course, also be obtained at HPI, either at one of the HPI's research groups or at the research school.

Since September 2007, HPI offers a graduate program which is unique in whole Europe: at the School of Design Thinking students from different programmes are being taught to develop innovative ideas for all areas of life. The Potsdam D-School follows the example of the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design ("d.school") at the Stanford University (California, USA). There is a close collaboration between Potsdam and Stanford D-School. The new program aims all students who are studying at universities in Berlin and Brandenburg and who are short before graduating.