Getting admitted to a German university is one challenge. Covering the cost of getting there is another.
Relocation expenses, rental deposits, and initial living costs catch many international students off guard. The Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI) in Germany is taking direct action to change that.
HPI has officially opened applications for three distinct scholarship programmes for the Winter Semester 2026/27. Successful applicants receive €500 per month for 12 months, with additional relocation support available for eligible bachelor’s students moving to Potsdam.
These scholarships target students building careers in computer science, software engineering, artificial intelligence, and digital technology. The deadline is fast approaching. Here is everything you need to know.
Scholarship at a Glance
| Host Institution | Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI), Germany |
| Scholarship Value | €500 per month for 12 months |
| Eligible Programmes | BSc IT Systems Engineering, MSc Computer Science |
| Open To | Domestic and international students |
| Application Deadline | 15 July 2026 |
What Is the Hasso Plattner Institute?
HPI is one of Germany’s most respected institutions for computer science and digital technology education. It sits in Potsdam, just outside Berlin, and operates in close partnership with the University of Potsdam.
The institute runs bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programmes entirely focused on computing, engineering, and digital innovation. Its graduates work across Europe’s most competitive technology companies and research institutions.
Studying at HPI means joining a tight, research-active academic community. Class sizes are small. Faculty engagement is direct. The learning environment is demanding and rewarding in equal measure.
Three HPI Scholarships Now Open
Rather than a single scholarship with generic criteria, HPI runs three separate programmes. Each one targets a specific type of applicant. This model makes the competition more accessible and more relevant to the students who need it most.
1. HPI Bachelor Starting Fund
The Bachelor Starting Fund is designed for students entering the Bachelor of Science in IT Systems Engineering in Winter Semester 2026/27.
The first weeks of university life carry real financial weight. Moving to a new city, securing accommodation, and purchasing study materials all require money before a single lecture begins. This scholarship reduces that pressure directly.
HPI gives particular weight to applicants who:
- Need to relocate to Potsdam to attend HPI
- Are the first in their family to study at university
- Come from a migration background
- Face challenging personal circumstances at the start of their studies
- Demonstrate outstanding academic achievement
Candidates are generally expected to present academic results equivalent to a German GPA of 1.2 or better. This is a competitive threshold, and HPI holds it consistently.
Eligible students may also qualify for an additional relocation grant on top of the monthly stipend. This makes the Bachelor Starting Fund one of the most practically useful scholarship programmes for students moving to Germany.
2. Women in Tech EmpowerPack
The technology industry continues to need more female engineers, researchers, and leaders. HPI’s Women in Tech EmpowerPack directly supports that goal.
This scholarship is available to young women applying for the Bachelor’s programme in IT Systems Engineering. It combines financial support with HPI’s broader commitment to building a more gender-diverse technology community.
For women who want to study computer science and engineering in Germany, this programme removes a financial barrier while signalling institutional commitment from one of the country’s leading tech institutes.
3. HPI Computer Science Scholarship
International students are not an afterthought at HPI. The HPI Computer Science Scholarship is open to both EU and non-EU graduates applying for the Master of Science in Computer Science.
HPI seeks academically outstanding candidates who want to deepen their computing education in Germany. The institute particularly values applicants who bring fresh international perspectives to its research and innovation environment.
For many overseas students, the cost of establishing themselves in Germany during the first year of a master’s degree is a genuine concern. This scholarship makes that transition considerably more manageable.
Financial Support: What You Actually Receive
The HPI scholarship package is straightforward and practical. It focuses on helping students during the period when financial pressure is highest — the first year.
Recipients receive:
- €500 per month for 12 consecutive months
- Additional relocation funding for eligible bachelor’s students moving to Potsdam
- Financial stability during the critical transition into university life
- Academic recognition from one of Germany’s leading computing institutions
HPI aims to announce scholarship decisions by the end of July 2026, giving successful applicants time to prepare before the Winter Semester begins.
Academic Programmes at HPI
The current scholarship competition focuses on two programmes specifically. Scholarship recipients will study within one of the following:
- Bachelor of Science in IT Systems Engineering — for Bachelor Starting Fund and Women in Tech EmpowerPack recipients
- Master of Science in Computer Science — for HPI Computer Science Scholarship recipients
HPI also offers other programmes including a Master of Science in Digital Health, a Design Thinking supplementary programme, and a doctoral PhD track. These may carry separate funding opportunities outside this competition.
Who Should Apply
These three scholarships serve students at different stages and circumstances. You are a strong candidate if you:
- Plan to begin the BSc in IT Systems Engineering at HPI
- Intend to enrol in the MSc in Computer Science as an EU or non-EU international student
- Hold an excellent academic record
- Need financial support during your transition into university
- Are relocating specifically to study at HPI in Potsdam
- Are a first-generation university student or come from a migration background
- Are a woman interested in pursuing a degree in computer science or engineering
Meeting any one of these criteria does not guarantee selection. But HPI’s multi-programme structure means the competition considers your full profile rather than applying a single filter to every applicant.
Why Germany and Why HPI
Germany offers one of the most attractive higher education environments in Europe. Public universities charge minimal or no tuition fees. The technology and engineering sector is strong and consistently hiring.
HPI stands apart even within Germany. Its computing programmes are specialized, research-focused, and closely connected to industry. Students graduate with both technical depth and practical experience that employers recognize.
The HPI Scholarships 2026 do not just fund your degree. They fund your start — covering the weeks and months when financial pressure most often causes talented students to hesitate or withdraw.
Application Deadline and How to Apply
The deadline for all three HPI scholarship programmes and corresponding admission applications is 15 July 2026.
To apply, follow these steps:
- Visit the official HPI scholarship page
- Review the criteria for each scholarship and identify which programme fits your profile
- Submit your programme admission application and scholarship application before the deadline
- Ensure all academic documents, transcripts, and supporting materials are complete
Scholarships apply only to students who are successfully admitted and enrolled for the Winter Semester 2026/27. Completing your admission application is a required first step.
Start Your Technology Career in Germany
The Germany HPI Scholarships 2026 offer computer science and IT students a direct route into one of Europe’s strongest technology education environments — with real financial support from the very first month.
Three programmes. Three distinct groups of students. One deadline: 15 July 2026.
Whether you are a bachelor’s student relocating to Potsdam, a woman entering technology, or an international master’s applicant, HPI has built a scholarship specifically for your situation.
