Bachelor of Science in Software & Coding (Coding & Software Engineering)

About the course

A practical, English-taught software engineering degree covering programming fundamentals, object-oriented programming, web development, databases, software architecture, testing and cloud computing. Teaching is face-to-face in Potsdam and project-based, and no prior coding experience is needed.

Entry requirements for Irish students

• Germany’s recognition rules (KMK/ZAB, published on anabin) say the Leaving Certificate gives direct university entry only with the right subject and level mix: six subjects, at least two at Higher Level at H5 or better and the other four at O6/H6 or better, including two languages and Maths at O5/H6 or better. For computing, engineering, maths and science courses the rules also require Higher Level Maths at H5 and a Higher Level science subject at H5. LCA and LCVP are not accepted. XU asks for a school leaving certificate equivalent to the German Abitur but publishes nothing specific on the Leaving Cert, so confirm with XU admissions how your results will be assessed.
• Application documents: online application form, your school leaving results (all pages), a tabular CV (1-2 pages), proof of English and a recommendation letter. XU says some applicants may be asked to sit its own entrance exam plus the TestAS; admissions will tell you if this applies.
• English: B2 level is required (for example IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 60-78, Duolingo 105-115, Cambridge CAE). XU exempts applicants who were educated in English, so a Leaving Cert taken through English should qualify. Confirm this when you apply.

How to apply

1. Check your subjectsMake sure your Leaving Cert meets the German rules for computing: Higher Level Maths at H5 or better and a Higher Level science at H5 or better, on top of the six-subject base rule.
2. Gather documentsPrepare your Leaving Cert results (all pages), a 1-2 page CV, a recommendation letter and proof of English or evidence that you were schooled through English.
3. Apply onlineSubmit the application form on xu-university.com well before the October 2027 start. No deadline is published, so apply early in 2027 and ask admissions for the cut-off.
4. Tests, offer and moveSit XU’s entrance exam and the TestAS if asked. Once admitted, complete the enrolment paperwork, arrange health insurance and find housing in Potsdam.

Costs

• XU is a private, state-recognised university of applied sciences. Its programme and fees pages list tuition of €950 a month (€5,700 per semester, €11,400 a year, €34,200 for the full 3 years), with no separate EU rate shown. No application fee is published. EU, UK and OECD citizens can apply for a ‘Study Now, Pay Later’ arrangement through the XU Education Fund, and partial scholarships are offered.

At a glance