© Martin Jehnichen

University of Potsdam

The University of Potsdam is Brandenburg’s largest university with over 20,000 students and seven departments. It is also the only institution in the state that trains teachers. Research is focused on Earth and Environmental Sciences, Evolutionary and Systems Biology, Cognitive Sciences and Data Sciences. The University is closely networked with the non-university research institutions in Potsdam and the Berlin-Brandenburg region. Its consistent strategy to network within the region has developed Potsdam into an attractive location for young scientific researchers from Germany and abroad. The University created. Potsdam Transfer, a centre for start-up and innovation and the exchange of knowledge and technology. The centre supports scientists in translating innovative solutions developed from research into practice.

Main research topics:

  • Earth and Environmental Systems: Processes and interactions in and between the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere as well as the interdependencies in the Earth system.
  • Cognitive Science: Perception and memory, thinking and feeling, body signals and motor skills in interaction with cognition and language.
  • Data-Centric Sciences: Using data, theories and models are established, verified and further developed in a systematic way.
  • Evolutionary systems biology: Origin of biodiversity and how molecular and cellular networks have changed to produce the diversity of living things.
Universität Potsdam Institutsgebäude

Department of Human Sciences

The Department of Human Sciences is split between Golm and the Neuen Palais and is divided into the structural units Cognitive Sciences and Educational Sciences.

The focus of Department research is the German Research Foundation (DFG) Collaborative Research Cluster (SFB) "The Limits of Variability in Language".
Visit website
© Martin Jehnichen

Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

The Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences unites eight institutes and the Botanical Garden.

At present, more than 5,000 students are participating in 20 master's and 14 bachelor's degree programmes. The department is research-driven and maintains a strong network within the scientific community.
Visit website
Fakultät Gesundheitswissenschaft im H-Lab im Science Park Potsdam
©Tobias Hopfgarten

Faculty of Health Sciences

The University of Potsdam, the Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane and the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg founded a joint Faculty of Health Sciences in 2018.

It forms the core of the Brandenburg Health Campus. The aim is to develop new types of medical, nursing and medical-technical care services as well as innovative degree programs on current health science topics.  
Visit website

Contact Persons

If you have any questions about the University of Potsdam, please do not hesitate to contact us.

  • Share on: