Are you from a developing country, and do you want to pursue your MA in Germany? If so, apply to the MA Development and Governance program at the University of Duisburg-Essen. This program targets students from developing countries with an academic background in social sciences and relevant work experience. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarships to highly qualified applicants from Africa, Latin America, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East through the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme.

You may also review the Master Helmut-Schmidt Scholarship Program for Public Policy and Good Governance (DAAD PPGG) in Germany.

Key Details and Dates

• Application Deadline:
  • DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme: June 1 to July 31, 2024
  • Self-financed candidates: March 2 to March 31, 2024
• Program Start: September/October 2025
• Funding Type: Scholarships (DAAD) and self-financed options
• Host Institution: University of Duisburg-Essen
• Eligible Countries: Developing countries from Africa, Latin America, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East
• Eligible Gender: All genders
• Target Group: Students with a background in social sciences and work experience in development and governance
• Field: Development and Governance
• Study Level: Master’s Degree
• Number of Opportunities: Limited
• Duration: two years
• Program Language: English
• Host Country: Germany

Benefits and Financial Aids

Selected candidates will benefit from the DAAD Scholarship as follows:

DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme Scholarships:

• Cover tuition fees
• Provide a monthly stipend of € 934 per month
• Health insurance coverage
• Travel allowance
• A study and research grant
• Rental support and family supplements, as applicable
• Previous German language course in Germany, lasting up to 4 months; participation is mandatory

Self-financed Candidates:

• No tuition fees
• The semester registration fee (346.60 € per semester) includes a public transport pass

Eligibility Criteria

All candidates must meet these requirements:

• DAAD Scholarship application is to applicants from developing countries in the list below
• Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree (four-year program) in political science, social science, law, economics, geography, or related fields.
• A minimum of one year of full-time work experience in a relevant field is necessary.
• Applicants must have English proficiency by providing the TOEFL (minimum 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based, 80 internet-based) or IELTS (minimum score of 6.0)
• They must also provide strong academic records, higher education entrance qualifications, and relevant professional or internship experience.

Eligible Countries

Applicants from these developing countries can apply for the DAAD Scholarship:

Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Syrian Arab Republic, Algeria, Bhutan, Bolivia, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Eswatini, Ghana, Honduras, India, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tokelau, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Zimbabwe, Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, China (People’s Republic of), Colombia, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Indonesia, Iraq, Jamaica, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Gabon, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Montserrat, Namibia, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Helena, Nauru, Niue, North Macedonia, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Serbia, South Africa, Suriname, Thailand, Tonga, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Wallis and Futuna, West Bank and Gaza Strip

Required Documents

Applicants must prepare these application supporting documents:

• Completed DAAD checklist form
• DAAD scholarship application form
• Letter of motivation
• Curriculum vitae (Europass template)
• Higher education degree certificates and transcripts (with certified translations if not in German or English)
• APS certificate (for applicants from China, India, and Vietnam)
• Proof of professional experience or internships
• English language proficiency certificate
• Current written reference from employer or university lecturer

How to Apply?

1. For DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme Scholarship:

• Prepare the required documents.
• Fill out the DAAD scholarship application form.
• Submit the application form and documents to ppgg-application@uni-due.de

2. For Self-financed Candidates:

• Prepare the required documents.
• Apply via the online application portal during the application period.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the program’s support staff or visit the university’s official website for further details and assistance. You may also find details of the DAAD Scholarship here.

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