Development co-operation

Prerequisites and Requirements

Scholarships for Postgraduate Courses with Special Relevance to Developing Countries

1. General Information about the Programme

• Postgraduate courses for young professionals from developing countries
  
• Duration: 12-24 months, depending on the particular institution
  
• Internationally recognised Master’s degree
  
• Includes German Universities and “Fachhochschulen” (Universities of Applied Science)
  
• Support of selected programmes with a variety of full or partial scholarships
  
• Funded by the BMZ (Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development), but admission also open to self-financed participants or students financed through government or other sources
  
• Academic year 2012/2013

2. Prerequisites and Requirements
The typical scholarship holder:

• Will come either from a public authority or a state or private company in a developing country and, as such, be engaged in the planning and execution of directives and projects with emphasis on development policies having a bearing on technological, economic or social areas.
  
• Holds a Bachelor’s degree (4 years) in related subject.
  
• Will have completed an academic degree far beyond average and at least two years of related professional experience.
  
• Is not older than 36 (for some courses the age limit is 32), respectively his/her academic degrees should normally not be older than 6 years. Concerning a possible age limit, please refer to the course details on the following pages.
  
  

Language skills:

• For courses in German: DSH 2 or TestDaF 4; at time of application German skills at completed level A2 are required. In addition, German language courses at level A2 or B1 are highly recommended.
  
• Exception: Candidates for some German-speaking courses need a very good command of German at time of application. For detailed information see the relevant course introduction on the following pages.
  
• For courses in English: IELTS (band 6) certificate or TOEFL (minimum score: 550 paper based, 213 computer based, 80 internet based)
  Note: Some courses may expect different level. For detailed information see the relevant course introduction on the following pages.

Proof of current work situation: All applicants should state their current work situation at the time of application and submit a letter of reference from their employer(s), ideally guaranteeing re-employment after completion of the postgraduate course.

Statement of motivation: Applicants must submit a statement of motivation explaining why they are interested in attending a particular postgraduate course with reference to their current employment.

Application formalities: If you have no private financial resources or cannot obtain a scholarship from your government, company or an international organisation, you may apply for a DAAD scholarship - either full or partial. DAAD application forms are available from the German Embassies, one of the DAAD offices abroad or directly at the University or Fachhochschule.Applications from Cameroon, Myanmar and Nigeria must be submitted via the German Embassy.Applicants from the People's Republic of China are required to enclose 2 address labels written in Chinese characters with their application documents.

Please note: Scholarships cannot be awarded without the official DAAD application form. Many courses, however, have their own forms which must be submitted in addition to this (see details under course description).Applicants are requested to state whether they will be financing the desired degree course themselves or whether the course can only be taken with the assistance of a DAAD scholarship. Chances of admission to postgraduate courses will be greatly enhanced for academically qualified applicants with personal financial resources.

Application deadlines for DAAD-scholarships:

At the German Embassies and/or at the DAAD regional offices: 31 July (Please ask about possible modifications in your home country!)

At the DAAD section 431 in Bonn/Germany: 31 August

At the respective universities in Germany: 15 October (normally, please check description for detailed information)

The application deadlines at the respective universities may vary from course to course. Please check  the relevant deadlines in this booklet.

IMPORTANT: Late applications cannot be considered!

Admission:The relevant institution of higher education decides on admission to the postgraduate course and simultaneously submits a proposal for the allocation of scholarships. The final decision on the allocation of scholarships is made by the DAAD.Please note that the selection process at all postgraduate courses listed in this booklet will last from the end of October until February.

3. List of the required documents (in the stated order)

• DAAD application form (http://www.daad.de/imperia/md/content/en/deutschland/formulare/forschungsstipendium_en.pdf)
  
• hand-signed CV (please use the europass specimen form at http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/)
  
• hand-signed letter of motivation (with reference to current occupation)
  
• research exposé (if required by university)
  
• academic letter/s of recommendation from your university; the letter must have a signature and office stamp and must be of recent date (not in a sealed envelope)
  
• professional letter/s of recommendation from your employer; the letter must have a signature and office stamp and must be of recent date (not in a sealed envelope)
  
• confirmation of employment from the employer in your home country and if possible, a guarantee of re-employment upon your return home
  
• Proof of language abilities:
  
• English – IELTS or TOEFL (Note: Institutional TOEFL will not be accepted)
  
• German – necessary for the courses taught in German; for the courses taught in English, if available
  
• certified copies of awarded academic degrees
  
• certified copies of academic transcripts
  
• certified copy of School Leaving Certificate
  
  

Note: Some courses may expect additional documents. For detailed information please see the relevant course introduction on the following pages.All papers must be submitted in identical duplicates. Applications that do not clearly state the desired degree course or that are not completed in full cannot be processed and will not be considered for the selection.One complete application is required for each indicated priority!
The application documents, including all enclosures, etc., become the property of the DAAD and cannot be returned. The sender has no entitlement to compensation.

For economic and environmental reasons, please avoid using sheet holders and plastic folders in your application.

• Africa Sub-Sahara
• Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Oceania
• Central and Eastern Europe
• Latin America
• North America
• Northern Africa and the Middle East
• Western Europe