Germany HPI Scholarships with €500 Stipend 2026

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Germany HPI Scholarships. Apply for Fully Funded Scholarships Here. The Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI) in Potsdam, Germany, is one of Europe’s most distinctive computer science institutions—privately financed, tuition-free, and deeply connected to real-world technology through its founder’s legacy at SAP. HPI’s scholarships support students across every level: from bachelor’s women in IT to international master’s students to doctoral researchers working at the frontier of data science, AI, and systems engineering.

If you’ve come across scholarship listings describing HPI with a “€500 stipend,” it’s worth understanding the full picture first. HPI’s scholarship stipends are actually substantially higher than €500 per month across all its major programs—ranging from €1,100 per month for undergraduate and master’s scholarship holders to full doctoral scholarships with travel funding and research support on top. Travel scholarships and some supplemental grants do carry €500 figures as allowances within larger packages, but these don’t represent the full value of HPI’s funding.

This guide covers every real HPI scholarship for 2026, the accurate amounts, eligibility requirements, the German student visa process, living costs in Potsdam and Berlin, post-study work authorization options, and the pathway toward German permanent residence for international HPI graduates.

About the Hasso Plattner Institute — Why It’s Unique in Germany

The Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI) is named after Hasso Plattner, one of the co-founders of SAP SE and one of Germany’s most prominent technology entrepreneurs. Academically structured as the independent Faculty of Digital Engineering at the (public) University of Potsdam, HPI unites excellent research and teaching with the advantages of a privately financed institute and a tuition-free study program. It is the only university faculty in Germany where all degree programs are completely and privately financed while being part of the public University of Potsdam.

HPI is located on the Griebnitzsee campus in Potsdam — just 25 minutes from central Berlin by S-Bahn. This location gives students and researchers the professional network and cultural access of a global capital while living in a smaller, more affordable city. HPI achieves top rankings in the German CHE ZEIT ranking every year.

The institute offers three main degree programs: a bachelor’s in IT systems engineering, a master’s in computer science, and a master’s in software systems engineering, alongside a doctoral research program through the HPI Research Schools. All programs are admission restricted, with small class sizes and intensive supervision—the exact opposite of a large, anonymous research university.

HPI Scholarship Programs — Complete Overview for 2026

HPI runs several distinct scholarship streams, each targeting a different student profile, study level, and funding purpose. Here’s a complete breakdown of every active program.

1. Women-in-Tech EmpowerPack — Bachelor’s Scholarship

The scholarship is aimed at young women with an affinity for IT who would like to apply for the bachelor’s degree program in IT Systems Engineering at the Hasso Plattner Institute. It offers monthly funding of €1,100 for 6 semesters (standard period of study).

This is HPI’s flagship undergraduate scholarship and the most financially complete funding package available at the bachelor’s level. It combines financial support with professional development activities specifically designed for women entering the tech sector. The Women in Tech EmpowerPack doesn’t just pay a monthly stipend—it provides exclusive coaching sessions, industry mentoring, and networking access that are genuinely valuable beyond the monetary component.

We support talented female Bachelor’s students not only by offering a monthly financial allowance but also by providing exclusive coaching and networking opportunities.

Applicants submit a two-page letter of motivation along with their graduation diploma (Abiturzeugnis or international equivalent). The application is integrated with the IT Systems Engineering Bachelor’s application through Hochschulstart.

2. HPI Computer Science Master’s Scholarship — International Students

HPI also awards scholarships for the master’s program in computer science to students from abroad (both EU and non-EU). The scholarship is aimed at prospective students who have not obtained their first academic degree in Germany and would like to apply for the Master’s program in Computer Science at HPI.

This is the primary scholarship pathway for international graduate students at HPI and one of the most straightforwardly accessible computer science scholarships at a top German institution for students educated outside of Germany. The scholarship consideration happens through the master’s application process—HPI informs applicants during the master’s application phase whether they will receive a scholarship.

3. Software Systems Engineering Master’s Scholarship — International Students

The Hasso Plattner Institute awards scholarships to particularly motivated and talented students to pursue the master’s degree in Software Systems Engineering in Germany. Scholarships are open to applicants with foreign citizenship and stateless individuals.

The scholarship is exclusively for excellent international students who have completed their first academic degree no later than the beginning of the winter semester. The scholarship is for the amount of €1,100 per month for up to 24 months. This covers the entire standard study duration of the SSE Master’s program.

Please note: preselection for a scholarship does not guarantee a place in the incoming class. You will only be awarded the scholarship if you are offered and accept a study place as a full-time student in HPI’s degree program. The application is submitted to office-international@hpi.de by April 30 each year.

4. HPI Travel Scholarship — Women in IT (External Universities)

Our travel scholarships give female IT students the chance to network internationally—and students from other universities the chance to get to know HPI.

This is the scholarship stream most likely to involve a €500 figure. The HPI Travel Scholarship provides coverage of travel expenses for female IT students at universities across Germany to attend specific events—including a Women-in-Tech Networking Day at HPI in Potsdam and a European Women-in-Tech conference (typically in Amsterdam or Warsaw). Travel allowances in the range of €500 are typical for this type of event-specific scholarship, covering transport, accommodation for the conference period, and registration.

This scholarship is open to female computer science and tech students at German universities nationwide — not only HPI students. If the “€500 stipend” referenced in listings you’ve seen refers to this HPI scholarship track, this is the most likely source of that figure.

5. HPI Research School PhD Scholarships — Full Doctoral Funding

The HPI Research Schools annually grant new full scholarships to PhD candidates and postdocs. Scholarship holders enjoy an excellent research environment, close mentorship by professors and postdocs of the research school, interaction with many peers, enormous computing power with HPI’s data lab, and significant travel funding. The scholarships are not subject to income tax.

HPI’s Research School PhD scholarships are among the strongest fully funded doctoral opportunities in German computer science. There are currently two main research school streams:

  • Data Science and Engineering (DSE)—led by Prof. Felix Naumann and Prof. Tilmann Rabl, focused on large-scale data processing, database systems, and data-driven knowledge discovery
  • Service-Oriented Systems Engineering (SSE) — led by Prof. Andreas Polze, covering distributed systems, cloud computing, service-oriented architectures, and related systems research

The HPI Research Schools continuously grant new full scholarships to talented young researchers. Applications require a curriculum vitae, copies of certificates and transcripts, a brief research proposal (ideally mentioning the suitable HPI research group you’d like to work with), and work samples or copies of relevant scientific work, such as a Master’s thesis.

The research schools operate internationally: The HPI Research Schools for “Service-Oriented Systems Engineering” and “Data Science and Engineering” annually grant new scholarships to talented junior researchers. Partner institutions include the University of Cape Town (South Africa) and the University of California, Irvine (USA), creating genuine global networks within HPI’s doctoral program.

HPI Scholarship Comparison Table — 2026

Scholarship NameMonthly ValueDurationLevelTarget Applicant
Women-in-Tech EmpowerPack€1,100/month6 semesters (standard period)Bachelor’s (IT Systems Engineering)Female students, any nationality
Computer Science Master’s Scholarship€1,100/month (typical)Up to 24 monthsMaster’s in Computer ScienceInternational students (EU + non-EU); 1st degree not from Germany
Software Systems Engineering Scholarship€1,100/monthUp to 24 monthsMaster’s in SSEInternational students and stateless persons
HPI Travel Scholarship (Women-in-Tech)Travel/event allowance (~€500)One event per cycleAny level (IT/CS focus)Female IT students at German universities
HPI Research School Scholarship (PhD)Full (tax-exempt; exact amount confirmed with Research School)Full doctoral period (3–4 years typical)PhD / PostdoctoralComputer science researchers, any nationality

Eligibility Criteria — Who Can Apply for HPI Scholarships

Eligibility varies meaningfully across HPI’s scholarship programs. Here’s a breakdown of the core conditions for each track.

Women-in-Tech EmpowerPack (Bachelor’s):

  • Applicants must identify as female
  • Must be applying for (or already admitted to) the IT Systems Engineering Bachelor’s program at HPI
  • A strong academic record in secondary education is expected given HPI’s selective admissions
  • All nationalities are eligible — both German-educated students and international applicants with international secondary school qualifications
  • Application submitted alongside the IT Systems Engineering Bachelor’s application through Hochschulstart

International Master’s Scholarships (Computer Science and SSE):

  • Must be applying for the Computer Science Master’s or SSE Master’s program at HPI
  • Must have completed their first academic degree (Bachelor’s) at an institution outside Germany
  • Both EU and non-EU applicants are eligible—the key criterion is not EU/non-EU citizenship but the country where the prior degree was obtained
  • For the SSE Master’s scholarship: open to applicants with foreign citizenship and stateless individuals
  • HPI evaluates scholarship eligibility during the master’s admissions process—there is no separate scholarship application form for the computer science master’s scholarship. For SSE, applications are submitted to office-international@hpi.de by April 30
  • High academic achievement is expected—HPI’s Master’s programs are selective, and scholarship consideration reflects this selectivity

HPI Research School PhD Scholarships:

  • Must have completed (or be near completion of) a Master’s degree in computer science or a closely related field
  • Must submit a research proposal identifying the HPI research group(s) you want to work with
  • Open to international researchers worldwide—the Research Schools have explicit international partnerships and regularly host doctoral scholars from outside Germany
  • Competitive selection based on academic record, research proposal quality, and fit with HPI research groups
  • Applicants should ideally have a strong academic publication record, though early-stage researchers with exceptional master’s theses are also competitive

HPI Travel Scholarship (Women-in-Tech):

  • Open to female IT and computer science students at universities across Germany — not limited to HPI students
  • Applicants must be currently enrolled in a computer science or related tech degree in Germany
  • Application requires a motivation letter, CV, and overview of academic grades

Document Checklist — What You Need to Apply

For Bachelor’s and Master’s Scholarship Applications:

  • Letter of motivation (two pages for Women-in-Tech EmpowerPack; check SSE/CS guidelines for specific length requirements)
  • Academic qualifications: graduation diploma (Abiturzeugnis for Bachelor’s); Bachelor’s degree transcript and certificate for Master’s
  • CV / resume (for travel and Master’s scholarships)
  • Overview of academic grades
  • For SSE Master’s: email submission to office-international@hpi.de by April 30 deadline
  • For Computer Science Master’s: application through HPI’s standard admission process (scholarship notification during application phase)
  • If documents are not in German or English: certified translations are required
  • Passport copy (for international applicants)

For HPI Research School PhD Scholarship:

  • Curriculum vitae and copies of certificates and transcripts from all prior degrees
  • Brief research proposal (ideally mentioning the suitable HPI research group you would like to work with)
  • Work samples or copies of relevant scientific work (e.g., Master’s thesis, published papers)
  • Contact details for academic references (check Research School-specific requirements)
  • Passport copy for international applicants
  • Statement of research interests and why HPI specifically

For German Student Visa / Residence Permit (Non-EU/EEA Applicants After Acceptance):

  • HPI admission letter and scholarship award confirmation
  • Valid passport (at least 6 months’ validity recommended)
  • Completed national visa application form (Type D)
  • Blocked account (Sperrkonto) confirmation—€992 per month for 12 months (€11,904) unless your scholarship explicitly satisfies the financial means requirement, which it often does for full-stipend holders
  • International student health insurance for the initial period before German statutory coverage activates
  • Proof of accommodation in Potsdam or the surrounding area
  • Biometric photographs meeting German consular specifications
  • German consular application fee (approximately €75)

Step-by-Step Application Process

The application process at HPI depends on which scholarship track you’re pursuing. Here’s a clear walkthrough for each pathway.

For the Women-in-Tech EmpowerPack (Bachelor’s):

Apply for the IT Systems Engineering Bachelor’s program through Hochschulstart — this is Germany’s central university admissions platform. Within the application, indicate your interest in the Women-in-Tech EmpowerPack and submit your two-page motivation letter alongside your Abitur or equivalent qualification. HPI advises: if you are applying for several degree programs via Hochschulstart, prioritize IT Systems Engineering before the end of the application phase if you want to study at HPI. Scholarship consideration is integrated with your admissions decision.

For the Computer Science Master’s Scholarship:

Apply to the Computer Science Master’s program through HPI’s online application system at hpi.de. The scholarship application is embedded within the program application—HPI will inform you during the Master’s application phase whether you will receive a scholarship. There is no separate scholarship form. Focus your energy on producing a strong program application: clear academic credentials, a well-written motivation letter, and appropriate recommendation letters.

For the SSE Master’s Scholarship:

Submit your scholarship application by email to office-international@hpi.de by April 30 each year. Your application should include your motivation letter, CV, academic transcripts, bachelor’s degree certificate, and any other supporting documents demonstrating academic excellence and suitability for the SSE program. Note that pre-selection for the scholarship does not guarantee a study place—you will only receive the scholarship if you are also offered and accept a place in the SSE Master’s program.

For HPI Research School PhD Scholarship:

Contact the relevant research school directly. For the DSE stream, reach out to Prof. Felix Naumann (felix.naumann@hpi.de) or Prof. Tilmann Rabl (tilmann.rabl@hpi.de). For the SSE stream, contact Prof. Andreas Polze (andreas.polze@hpi.de). Submit your CV, transcripts, research proposal, and scientific work samples. Strong candidates are invited for interviews, either at HPI Potsdam or via video conference for international applicants.

For the Women-in-Tech Travel Scholarship:

When applications open (typically in the months leading up to the Networking Day in May), apply through HPI’s scholarship pages with a motivation letter, CV, and academic grade overview. Travel costs and event participation are covered for selected applicants across Germany.

German Student Visa — For Non-EU/EEA HPI Applicants

EU and EEA citizens do not require a visa to study in Germany and simply need to register their residence on arrival. For all other nationalities, a German national visa (Type D) for study purposes is required before entering Germany.

Visa Application Key Steps:

  • Apply through the German Embassy or Consulate in your home country via the consular services portal at digital.diplo.de
  • Present your HPI admission letter and scholarship award confirmation as primary documentation. Full stipend scholarship holders often satisfy the financial means requirement through the scholarship—confirm this with the German mission handling your visa
  • If a blocked account (Sperrkonto) is required despite your scholarship, the current required amount is €11,904 (€992 × 12 months). Top providers include Expatrio, Fintiba, and Coracle
  • Processing typically takes four to twelve weeks from your appointment date—apply as early as possible after receiving your HPI scholarship and admission confirmation
  • Upon arrival in Germany, apply for the Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit) for study at the local Ausländerbehörde (foreigners’ authority) in Potsdam or your registered municipality

The student visa application process for Germany is well-structured, but for applicants with complex circumstances — prior visa refusals, unusual educational trajectories, or concerns about specific financial documentation — seeking an immigration attorney consultation with a Germany-licensed specialist is a worthwhile investment before submitting your application.

Budgeting for Life in Potsdam as an HPI Scholar

One of HPI’s most underappreciated practical advantages is its location. Potsdam is one of Germany’s most beautiful university cities, and its position directly adjacent to Berlin means HPI scholars have full access to one of Europe’s major cultural and professional capitals—while enjoying living costs noticeably lower than Berlin proper.

Expense CategoryEstimated Monthly Cost (EUR)Notes
Tuition Fees€0 (all HPI programs are tuition-free)Only semester contribution applies (~€50–60/semester)
Monthly Scholarship Stipend€1,100 receivedTax-exempt for scholarship holders in Germany
Student Accommodation (Germany/Potsdam)€350–€600Student dormitory (Studentenwerk) or private shared apartment
Food and Groceries€200–€350Mensa (university cafeteria) meals significantly reduce costs
Transport (Potsdam + Berlin)€0–€29 (Deutschlandticket)Semester tickets are often included; Deutschlandticket for €29/month covers all regional rail
Health Insurance~€140–€160Statutory student insurance (TK, AOK, Barmer) for enrolled students
Phone, Internet€15–€30German SIM plans from ~€10/month; good fiber internet options in Potsdam
Personal and Leisure€100–€200Berlin and Potsdam offer extensive affordable cultural options
Estimated Monthly Total€805–€1,370Within €1,100 stipend, some months tight, others leave a surplus.

German scholarship stipends are generally tax-exempt—this means your €1,100 per month from HPI is received in full without income tax deduction, unlike employment-based PhD contracts (TV-L E13), which are taxable. The practical purchasing power of a tax-free €1,100 in Potsdam is therefore meaningfully higher than the same nominal amount in a taxable employment context, and most HPI scholarship holders manage comfortably on this stipend for their degree period.

One practical note: Germany doesn’t have a provincial sales tax distinct from the national VAT system, but consumer costs vary significantly between Potsdam (relatively affordable) and central Berlin (significantly higher). Living in Potsdam rather than commuting to Berlin for accommodation purposes is almost always the financially better choice for HPI students.

Working During Your Studies in Germany

International students at German universities on a study residence permit are permitted to work part-time for up to 120 full days or 240 half-days per year, which effectively allows approximately 20 hours per week during the academic semester. This is a meaningful work allowance that many HPI students use to supplement their stipend or gain industry experience in Berlin’s active technology employment market.

HPI’s connections to Germany’s tech sector—through Hasso Plattner’s SAP legacy, active industry partnerships, and HPI’s own digital innovation lab (D-School and Digital Health Cluster)—create natural part-time and student research opportunities that don’t require venturing far beyond the institute itself. Many HPI students also access Berlin’s startup ecosystem, where student software engineering talent is consistently in demand.

For scholarship holders, it’s worth confirming whether any conditions in your specific scholarship agreement place limits on concurrent employment. Most HPI scholarship conditions align with standard German scholarship rules—meaning modest part-time work is acceptable, but substantial full-time employment alongside the scholarship raises academic priority conflicts that the foundation may address.

Post-Study Work Permit and Career Pathways in Germany

An HPI degree — recognized through the University of Potsdam and consistently ranked at the top of German computer science programs — positions graduates extremely well in one of Europe’s most active technology employment markets. Germany’s post-study work framework creates a clear pathway from HPI graduation to long-term German career development.

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18-Month Job Seeker Residence Permit (§20 AufenthG)

After completing your HPI degree, you qualify immediately for an 18-month job seeker residence permit—a work permit after study that allows you to remain in Germany and search for, and work in, qualifying employment. During these 18 months, you can work in any role, in any industry, without restriction. Berlin and Potsdam’s combined technology sector — home to SAP SE (HPI’s founding connection), Zalando, Rocket Internet, HelloFresh, global consulting firms, and hundreds of tech startups — offers an exceptionally rich job market for HPI-caliber computer science graduates.

Skilled Worker Visa (Fachkräfte) After the Job Seeker Period

Once you secure qualified employment after your HPI degree, you transition from the job seeker permit to a skilled worker residence permit (Fachkräftevisum). Skilled worker visa requirements for HPI graduates are straightforward — your German or internationally recognized degree satisfies the qualification requirement, and any qualifying role in software engineering, data science, AI, or related fields in Germany satisfies the occupation requirement. Salary must meet the applicable collective agreement or sector minimum.

The EU Blue Card is particularly accessible for HPI graduates given Germany’s tech salary market. The general EU Blue Card salary threshold in Germany (around €45,300 gross per year in 2026) is routinely exceeded in first positions for HPI-qualified software engineers at Berlin-based technology companies.

Permanent Residence in Germany — The Path After HPI

Germany’s settlement permit framework creates a clear route from HPI graduate to permanent resident for those who build careers in Germany after their studies.

StageStatus / PermitTypical Duration
Study at HPI (Bachelor’s or Master’s)Study Residence Permit (§16b AufenthG)3–6 semesters (2–3 years for a master’s)
Job search after graduationJob Seeker Permit (§20 AufenthG)Up to 18 months
Skilled employment at a German companySkilled Worker Permit or EU Blue CardInitially up to 4 years (renewable)
Permanent settlement (fast track for HPI-level roles)Settlement Permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) via §18c AufenthGAfter 2+ years of qualified work
EU Blue Card settlement fast-trackPermanent Settlement via EU Blue Card + B1 German21 months (with B1 German) or 27 months (general)
German citizenshipNaturalisationTypically 5 years total lawful residence in Germany

For EU Blue Card holders with B1 German language proficiency, the permanent residence application becomes possible after just 21 months of qualifying employment—meaning an HPI graduate who secures a Blue Card job immediately after the job seeker period could be eligible for permanent residence within approximately three to four years of arriving in Germany as a student.

If building toward German PR is a genuine goal alongside your HPI studies, speaking with an immigration lawyer in Germany during your degree—to assess your eligibility timeline and understand exactly what German language and employment conditions your specific situation requires—is a practical and worthwhile investment.

Practical Advice — Getting Your HPI Scholarship Application Right

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  • Understand the real stipend amounts before applying. If you’ve seen “€500” cited as the HPI scholarship figure, treat this with caution. The substantive HPI scholarships (Women-in-Tech EmpowerPack, Computer Science Master’s, and SSE Master’s) are all €1,100 per month for their respective standard durations. The €500 figure likely refers to the travel scholarship’s event allowance—a genuinely useful but functionally different type of support from the full monthly stipend programs.
  • For the SSE Master’s scholarship, April 30 is a firm deadline. Email your application to office-international@hpi.de before this date. Late submissions are not considered.
  • For the Computer Science Master’s scholarship, invest in your program application. Since scholarship consideration is embedded in the admissions process, the quality of your master’s application directly determines your scholarship eligibility. A strong motivation letter, excellent academic transcripts, and well-chosen references are what the scholarship committee evaluates.
  • For the PhD Research School, contact supervisors before applying formally. Email the relevant research school professors (naumann, rabl, or polze@hpi.de) with a brief research interest statement and your CV. A preliminary positive response from a faculty member adds weight to your formal application and signals your fit with the group’s current research agenda.
  • Begin your blocked account process early if required. Even if your HPI scholarship letter partially satisfies financial evidence requirements for your visa, have the blocked account established early as a backup. German consular processing timelines can be unpredictable, and having your Sperrkonto set up removes a potential bottleneck.
  • Take German language learning seriously from day one. HPI programs are taught in English and German, and most scholarship holders manage the academic content comfortably in English. But German language ability significantly improves daily life in Potsdam; career prospects in Germany’s wider job market; and—crucially—your EU Blue Card PR timeline, where B1 German can cut your settlement permit eligibility from 27 months to 21 months.
  • Leverage Berlin proximity strategically. The Berlin tech ecosystem is one of Europe’s most active—companies like SAP, Zalando, and hundreds of startups are direct employers for HPI graduates. Use your time in Potsdam to build connections across the Berlin tech community through events, hackathons, and HPI’s own industry engagement program.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the HPI scholarship stipend amount for 2026?

HPI’s main scholarship stipends for both bachelor’s and master’s scholarship holders are €1,100 per month, covering the standard study duration (6 semesters for bachelor’s and up to 24 months for master’s programs). The HPI Women-in-Tech Travel Scholarship provides event-based travel support — this is likely the source of the €500 figure you may have seen in some listings, as it covers travel and participation costs for networking events rather than representing a monthly living stipend.

2. Is HPI tuition-free for international students?

Yes. All HPI programs — Bachelor’s, Master’s, and doctoral — are completely tuition-free. HPI is the only university faculty in Germany where all degree programs are completely and privately financed while being part of a public university (the University of Potsdam). Students pay only a small semester contribution (typically €50–60 per semester), which often includes a public transport ticket.

3. Can non-EU students apply for HPI scholarships?

Yes. HPI’s international Master’s scholarships are explicitly open to both EU and non-EU international applicants whose first degree was obtained outside Germany. The Research School PhD scholarships are also open to international researchers worldwide. The Women-in-Tech EmpowerPack Bachelor’s scholarship is open to all nationalities.

4. Is the HPI scholarship tax-exempt in Germany?

Yes. HPI Research School scholarships are explicitly confirmed as tax-exempt by HPI’s official website. German scholarship stipends generally fall under the tax exemption for scholarship income (Stipendien) under German income tax law, meaning the full stipend amount is received without tax deduction. This is different from employment-based doctoral contracts (TV-L E13), which are taxable.

5. What programs are available at HPI for international students?

HPI offers three main degree programs: the Bachelor’s in IT Systems Engineering (primarily German-medium), the Master’s in Computer Science (mixed English/German teaching), and the Master’s in Software Systems Engineering (English-medium), plus doctoral positions through the HPI Research Schools in Data Science and Engineering and Service-Oriented Systems Engineering. All programs are admission-restricted with selective, merit-based entry.

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6. What are the application deadlines for HPI scholarships?

The SSE Master’s scholarship has an April 30 annual deadline for email applications to office-international@hpi.de. The computer science master’s scholarship is considered during the regular admissions process—check HPI’s current admissions cycle dates on hpi.de/en/studies/application/. The Women-in-Tech EmpowerPack is applied for alongside the IT Systems Engineering Bachelor’s application through Hochschulstart. Research School PhD scholarship applications are rolling—contact the relevant professors directly for current availability.

7. Do I need to speak German to study at HPI?

The bachelor’s in IT Systems Engineering is taught primarily in German and requires German language proficiency. The Master’s in Software Systems Engineering is conducted in English, making it accessible to international students without prior German-language skills. The Master’s in Computer Science combines English and German instruction. For the Research School doctoral programs, English is the primary research language, though German language development is encouraged for daily life in Potsdam and for long-term career development in Germany.

8. What visa do I need to study at HPI as a non-EU student?

Non-EU/EEA students need a German National Visa (Type D) for study purposes, applied for at the German embassy or consulate in their home country. After arriving in Germany, you must apply for a study residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel für Studienzwecke) at the local Ausländerbehörde in Potsdam. Your HPI admission letter and scholarship award confirmation serve as primary supporting documents, and full stipend holders typically satisfy financial means requirements through the scholarship itself rather than requiring a separate blocked account.

9. Can I work part-time while holding an HPI scholarship in Germany?

Non-EU students on a German study residence permit may work up to 120 full days or 240 half-days per year — approximately 20 hours per week during term time. This is a meaningful work allowance that many HPI students use to supplement their stipend or gain industry experience. Check your specific scholarship conditions for any additional restrictions, and ensure any employment doesn’t conflict with your academic progress, which is monitored as a condition of scholarship renewal.

10. What happens after I complete my HPI degree? Can I stay in Germany to work?

After completing your HPI degree, you immediately qualify for Germany’s 18-month job seeker residence permit (§20 AufenthG), which lets you remain in Germany to search for and work in qualifying employment. Once you secure a role, you transition to a skilled worker permit or EU Blue Card. With B1 German proficiency and an EU Blue Card job, you can apply for a German settlement permit (permanent residence) after just 21 months of qualified employment.

11. How competitive are HPI scholarship applications?

HPI’s programs are among the most selective in German computer science — the institute deliberately maintains small class sizes and a high academic quality threshold. Scholarship consideration is integrated with admissions for most programs, meaning your competitive pressure comes from the admissions process itself. For the Research School doctoral scholarships, the international applicant pool means strong publication records or exceptional master’s thesis research significantly strengthens your position.

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Official Sources and Useful Links

OrganisationPurposeOfficial Website
HPI — Study with a ScholarshipComplete overview of all HPI scholarship programs, including Women-in-Tech EmpowerPack, Master’s scholarships, and Travel Scholarshiphpi.de/en/scholarships
HPI Research Schools — ScholarshipsPhD and postdoctoral scholarships in DSE and SSE streams; application contacts and requirementshpi.de/en/research-schools/scholarships
HPI — How to ApplyAdmission processes for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs; application deadlines and enrollment informationhpi.de/en/studies/application/
Hasso Plattner Institute (Official)Main HPI portal — news, research, programs, faculty, and institute informationhpi.de/en/
German Federal Foreign Office — Visa PortalGerman National Visa (Type D) application for study; consular appointment booking; document requirementsdigital.diplo.de
Make it in GermanyOfficial German government immigration portal—study permits, job seeker visa, skilled worker visa, settlement permitmake-it-in-germany.com
DAAD — Germany Scholarship DatabaseComprehensive listing of additional German scholarships available to HPI students and researchersdaad.de/en

Final Thoughts

The Hasso Plattner Institute sits in a genuinely unusual position in German higher education: privately funded, completely tuition-free, highly selective, and deeply connected to the technology industry through its founder’s SAP legacy. For computer science students and researchers who earn a place — and a scholarship — at HPI, the combination of a €1,100 monthly stipend, zero tuition fees, Berlin-adjacent living costs, and one of Germany’s strongest networks into the European technology sector represents an exceptionally strong package.

The €500 figure circulating in some scholarship listings likely refers to the Women-in-Tech Travel Scholarship’s event allowance rather than any monthly living stipend. If you’ve been evaluating HPI based on that number, the real picture is considerably more generous—and the opportunity considerably more compelling—than a €500 travel grant alone would suggest.

Apply to the right HPI scholarship for your profile. Engage with the Research School faculty directly if you’re targeting a PhD. Prioritize the SSE application deadline of April 30. And if you’re a female computer science student anywhere in Germany, look seriously at the Women-in-Tech Travel Scholarship as an accessible first connection to HPI’s community—it often leads to deeper engagement with the institute that pays off well beyond the event it funds.

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