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The German government offers foreign students the opportunity to study in postgraduate programs entirely free of charge. The selected students will receive this scholarship under the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Master’s Scholarship. Students from any country, including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, or other countries in Asia can apply.
DAAD is one of Germany’s prominent scholarships, known as the German Academic Exchange Service. Established in 1925, it funds approximately 150,000 students each year. DAAD is a significant scholarship offered by the German Academic Exchange Service. Postgraduate or PhD students from developing countries can apply, although not all subjects are covered by this scholarship.
How to Get a Scholarship and Student Visa in Germany, the Largest Economy in Europe
Benefits
Compared to other scholarships, DAAD offers many more benefits, including:
Tuition and examination fees
- Monthly allowance (€934)
Airfare
Health insurance
Housing allowance and monthly stipends for family members
Subsidy for study and research activities
Six-month German language course
Application Requirements
The required application documents are:
A checklist and list of criteria, signed by hand
DAAD application form “Application for a research/study scholarship”
A single letter of motivation (even when applying for two master’s courses) detailing academic, professional, and personal reasons for participating in the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme, as well as a detailed explanation of the master’s course(s) choice
Curriculum vitae in reverse chronological order including the date of issue (Europass format)
Copies of higher education degree certificates (certified translation if not in German or English)
Copy of full set of transcript of records including an explanation of the grading system (certified translation if not in German or English)
Confirmations of relevant professional experience or internships, and/or proof of relevant political activities or service to your community, on headed paper with an original or code-certified digital signature
Proof of English language skills
A currently written reference from your current employer or from a university lecturer (if a student), on headed paper with an original or code-certified digital signature
Eligibility
Must have a bachelor’s degree
The application must be within 6 years of the last degree obtained
Must be from a developing country
The application must be in English or German
Certificates and other documents must be included with the application
The DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme supports future leaders from developing countries who aim to promote democracy and social justice in their home countries. Funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, the program offers a Master’s degree in fields crucial for social, political, and economic development. It prepares highly qualified graduates for leadership roles in political science, law, economics, and administration in their home countries.
Application Deadline
Applications can be submitted until July 31.
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted online. To apply, click here.
Language Requirements
In Germany, education is usually conducted in two languages, German and English. If you wish to pursue a Master’s in German, completing a basic language course is mandatory. This course can be taken at the Goethe Institute. For an English-taught Master’s, different universities require different certificates. If the university sees that you completed your bachelor’s in English, they may not require IELTS. However, some universities require good scores in IELTS or TOEFL and GRE. Each student should check the specific requirements on the university’s website before applying.
It is important that the Master’s subject you apply for aligns with your Bachelor’s degree. Before applying, you can email the course coordinator with details about your Bachelor’s subjects and your CGPA to ensure your suitability for the Master’s program.
Application Process
First, create an ID on the Uni Assist website. Then, enter accurate information about the university and subject you are applying for. Upload your certificates, language certificates, and motivation letter in the upload section. Submit the form online and print the auto-generated PDF copy for signature.
Visit the university’s website to download the application form for your chosen subject, fill it out, and sign it. Obtain recommendation letters from two or three professors from your undergraduate institution. Use official letterhead and include the subject and destination in the letter.
Get notarized or certified copies of your Bachelor’s certificate, transcript, IELTS certificate, and SSC certificate from a government lawyer or the German Embassy. Write a motivation letter, which can be found as sample copies on Google. Clearly express your passion for the subject you wish to study.
Transfer the application fee of €75 to the Uni Assist bank account. The bank account details are provided on the Uni Assist website. Visit any bank’s foreign exchange branch with your application form and passport to transfer the money. Collect a proof of payment receipt from the bank.
After gathering all documents, arrange them in the following order:
Uni Assist application form
University application form
Notarized or certified copies of Bachelor’s certificate, transcript, and SSC certificate
Motivation letter
Two or three recommendation letters
University verification copy (if available)
Notarized or certified copy of IELTS certificate
Send the documents in an A4-sized envelope to the specified Uni Assist address via DHL or FedEx for tracking purposes. Once your documents and payment reach Uni Assist, you will receive a confirmation email. Within three to four weeks, Uni Assist will provide updates on your application via two emails: one with the evaluation report of your Bachelor’s degree in the German grading system, and another confirming that your documents have been sent to the university for a decision. If everything is in order, you will receive your admission letter within a month or two.
After receiving the admission letter, the real work begins. You need a visa from the German Embassy to proceed. Here’s a brief overview of the visa application process:
Gather necessary documents and complete the visa application form.
Schedule an appointment with the German Embassy.
Attend the visa interview with all required documents, including proof of financial resources, health insurance, and accommodation.
Wait for the visa decision and follow any additional instructions provided by the embassy.
Once you have your visa, you can start planning your journey to Germany for your studies.