The semester abroad is probably one of the most exciting experiences in a student's life. However, as in the popular UK destination, these few months can quickly cost you well over 10,000 euros . Not every student has enough reserves to finance such a project entirely out of their own pocket. However, there are government and institutional scholarship providers who make even the seemingly impossible at least possible.
The Erasmus program supported almost 29,000 German students in 2012. The principle of its successor program Erasmus+ is very simple: the university has partner universities in the EU and outside with which student exchanges take place. Applications are submitted to the Erasmus office of your own university and as soon as a study place is confirmed, Erasmus funding of at least 150 euros per month is guaranteed. Other requirements and processes are handled differently depending on the university. Participation in the Erasmus+ program is possible multiple times during the different study phases (Bachelor, Master, Doctorate). Parallel funding through foreign BAföG or other scholarships is conceivable, as the Erasmus+ program is financed from EU funds.
Another option is the foreign BAföG, which is based on the normal BAföG rate, but can also be awarded to those students who would not be eligible due to their parents' income being too high in Germany. However, DAAD scholarships over a value of 300 euros, for example, are counted towards the foreign BAföG. Like the domestic BAföG, half of the foreign BAföG must be repaid. It is important that the bachelor's or master's student begins the semester abroad within the standard period of study.
The German Academic Service is one of the largest scholarship providers and has 250 different programs that support everything from short language courses to long research stays. In 2013, almost 70,000 Germans received benefits from the DAAD. Basically, the DAAD follows the principle of “scholarships for the best”, so that the scholarship holders supported usually belong to the upper third of the year and are characterized by special commitment. In addition to financial benefits such as covering tuition fees, a living stipend or travel allowances, the scholarship holders also receive individual funding and support. Applications usually require reports from lecturers, letters of motivation and are also associated with an extensive selection process.
Funding from the German-American Fulbright Commission is aimed at students who are interested in studying in the USA. There are annual and travel scholarships and offers for dual students or students from technical colleges. The annual scholarship includes partial financing of tuition fees, living costs and many other expenses. It is also possible to arrange a study place through the Fulbright Commission. Very good professional qualifications and an active interest in German-American cultural exchange are required. As part of the application for the Fulbright Commission scholarships, reports from university professors and letters of motivation are also requested. In total, the commission supports around 200 students per year.
Programs of the German National Academic Foundation
In addition to the funding that is tied to acceptance into the Study Foundation at the start of your studies, there are additional open programs that support stays abroad. The ERP scholarship program supports one to two-year research and study visits to obtain a master's degree at US universities. Only postgraduates from all disciplines who have at least a bachelor's degree and corresponding achievements are eligible for funding. Other programs include, for example, the China or Japan scholarship program and the McCloy program, which are aimed at a wide variety of study programs and study projects.
Foreign scholarships from gifted organizations
Another option is the foreign scholarships offered by the gifted funding organizations, which are, however, linked to prior acceptance as a scholarship holder. The best-known foundations of this type are the German National Academic Foundation, the German Economy Foundation, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Heinrich Böll Foundation and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation. Admission to the foundations usually takes place during the first semester of your studies or after your bachelor's degree. The requirements are varied, but are usually linked to very good academic performance and social commitment. Foreign funding extends the basic scholarship paid domestically and is usually tailored to the needs of the individual student.
Internal university scholarships
It is often worth keeping your eyes and ears open within your own university. The funding requirements are often tailored to specific courses and study stays. So-called “exchange scholarships” are offered at the Christian Albrecht University in Kiel , which are aimed at specific disciplines and stays abroad, for example at the University of Aberdeen in Great Britain. With the “TUMexchange Program”, the Technical University of Munich offers the opportunity to complete a stay abroad outside the European Union. Although there is no additional financial support, tuition fees are waived. Many universities across Germany have similar offerings that interested students should take a closer look at.
The Rhodes Scholarships in Germany
The Rhodes Scholarship, awarded by the Cecil Rhodes Foundation, is an example of the scholarship aimed solely at students interested in studying at a specific university - in this case the University of Oxford . In order to get funding for a one to three year stay in Oxford, very good academic achievements and high school diploma grades are required. Applicants must also be older than 20 but younger than 26 and have already studied in Germany for two semesters. Good knowledge of English is also a prerequisite. The application deadline is September 29th for the academic year beginning the following fall.
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The semester abroad is probably one of the most exciting experiences in a student's life. However, as in the popular destination of Great Britain, these few months can quickly cost you well over 10,000 euros. Not every student has enough reserves to finance such a project entirely out of their own pocket. However, there are government and institutional scholarship providers who also
