DAAD — The German Academic Exchange Service — offers approximately 200 scholarship options for international students. These scholarships primarily consist of short-term internships for bachelor's students, while degree programs are designed for master's and PhD students.
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In total, DAAD offers around 150000 scholarships annually[1]. These scholarships typically cover accommodation, food, and personal expenses.
For bachelor’s students, the program options are more limited. They have access to short-term summer courses, study tours, and the PAD program designed for students of German from pedagogical universities.
The most "generous" scholarships offered by the DAAD are available for master's programs across all fields of study.
PhD students and scientists can also apply for funding through short and long-term research programs and fellowships.
In this section, we will focus on scholarship programs specifically for full-fledged study programs, particularly for master's degrees.
The most popular DAAD scholarship option is the Masterstudium für alle wissenschaftlichen Fächer, which is open to master's students in all disciplines, excluding creative specialties and architecture (they have separate scholarship programs).
The scholarship duration varies from 10 to 24 months, depending on the program. If the master's program extends for two years, high academic performance confirmation is required after the first year[2].
All scholarship recipients receive a monthly stipend of 1,055 USD throughout their entire period of study, which is typically sufficient to cover living expenses in Germany. Additionally, the scholarship includes:
In special cases, the DAAD may assist with rent or provide additional financial support for the dependents of scholarship holders living in Germany. Any employment during the study period must be coordinated with the DAAD coordinator.
It is important to note that the DAAD does not cover tuition fees. However, this is usually not an issue as education in Germany is generally tuition-free. If you choose to enroll at a private institution or a university in Baden-Württemberg, you may be responsible for tuition fees.
The basic requirements for candidates are as follows:
The application process involves preparing numerous documents:
Some documents have special requirements:
Certain programs may require an international exam certificate, such as GRE or GMAT. It is important to verify the specific exams and proficiency levels required by your chosen universities.
In addition, you have the option to include references from employers, confirm professional experience, showcase achievements in olympiads, demonstrate social activities, volunteering engagements, and participation in projects. The more achievements you can showcase, the higher your chances of receiving a scholarship.
The DAAD scholarship application consists of two stages:
It is important to note that, unlike some larger programs, there is no mandatory requirement to return to your home country after completing the DAAD program. However, it is advised not to express in your motivation letter an intention to stay in Germany, as this may lead to visa complications.
Applications are thoroughly evaluated by an independent admissions committee consisting of scientists from diverse fields.
Criteria for candidate evaluation:
To ensure equal opportunities for all candidates, the admissions committee may also take into account any special circumstances that are indicated in the application.
When preparing to apply for a DAAD scholarship, there are several important steps and documents to consider. Selecting the appropriate programs and completing numerous forms can be time-consuming, taking away valuable time that could be spent on language exam preparation and crafting a strong motivation letter.
At UniPage, our mentors oversee the entire application process, providing guidance and support. They will assist you in selecting the most suitable programs based on your qualifications and goals. Together, you will create a comprehensive resume that highlights your relevant experience and achievements. Additionally, our creative editor will offer valuable assistance in crafting an impactful motivation letter and recommendations.
DAAD scholarships for creative professions are equivalent to the Masterstudium für alle wissenschaftlichen Fächer. Selected candidates receive the same coverage and must meet identical requirements. They should have graduated in a relevant field no earlier than six years prior to the application and must not have resided in Germany for more than 15 months at the time of applying.
In addition to the standard documents, applicants for creative programs must also submit examples of their work.
DAAD highlights four scholarship options for creative disciplines:
The application process for creative programs consists of two stages. Initially, the applicant submits the required documents through the DAAD portal. The document checklist is similar to that of non-creative programs and includes:
The application deadlines for creative programs differ from the main scholarship for master's programs. Applications must be submitted by September 29th.
The second step involves portfolio submission. Approximately 1-2 weeks after submitting the documents, applicants receive a link to the Canto media database. Within two weeks, they are required to upload their recordings, adhering to the specified requirements detailed here.
To apply for a scholarship for these programs, you are required to upload the following documents on the DAAD portal:
The application deadline is November 30th. If you meet all the eligibility criteria, you will receive a link to the DAAD media database by December 15th. It is necessary to attach all the described works in the application before January 10th.
All job requirements can be found here.
To apply for the scholarship, you must also submit the required documents through the DAAD portal. Once submitted, you will receive a link to attach recordings of your performances.
List of required documents:
Please ensure that you submit these documents by November 2nd. Subsequently, by November 16th, you will receive a link to upload your performance recordings. The specific requirements for the recordings can be found on the official website. The deadline for submitting your portfolio is November 30th.
The application process for scholarships in architecture follows the same procedure as the previous three options. Applicants are required to submit documents and upload a portfolio.
The following documents are required:
All documents must be submitted by September 30th. The portfolio submission deadline is November 7th.
When writing a motivation letter for the DAAD Scholarship, it is important to convey your professional and personal reasons for pursuing an education in Germany. The letter should be concise, ranging from one to three pages.
To assist you in crafting an exceptional cover letter, DAAD provides a set of guiding questions. These questions will ensure that you cover all the necessary information required by the admissions committee.
Education, skills and knowledge:
Study motivation:
Scholarship incentive:
Personal interests:
For more guidance on crafting an outstanding motivation letter, click here or watch our instructional video on YouTube.
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