The Helmut-Schmidt-Programme is designed to further qualify future leaders in politics, law, economics and administration according to the principles of Good Governance and to prepare them in a praxis-oriented course for their professional life. Very good graduates with a first university degree get the chance to obtain a master’s degree in disciplines that are of special relevance to the social, political and economic development of their home country. The knowledge and experience acquired in Germany should enable the scholarship holders to later contribute to the establishment of democratically oriented economic and social systems aimed at overcoming social differences. In addition, the training at German institutions of higher education should qualify the scholarship holders to become partners in the political and economic co-operation with Germany. With this programme, DAAD intends to contribute to the support of good governance and civil society structures in selected partner countries and regions.
Type of Program: M.A. Governance and Public Policy
As one of only eight institutions of higher learning in Germany, the University of Passau and its study programme in Governance and Public Policy (M.A.) has been a proud member of the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme network since 2010. The study programme Governance and Public Policy (M.A.) has a two-year-curriculum. In their first term, students will get acquainted with the foundations of governance research as well as with the basics of statehood and Good Governance in order to provide a theoretical framework in which the following interdisciplinary classes are embedded. In these Master classes, students will focus on topics from areas of Comparative Politics/Public Policy, Global Governance, European Integration, Recent European History, European and International Law as well as Political Institutions and Social Transformation. This curriculum is complemented by various classes to enhance the students’ occupational skills, e. g. courses on methods in the social sciences, presentation techniques, and paper writing. Although, the M.A. Governance and Public Policy is officially announced as a bilingual programme, Helmut-Schmidt-Programme scholarship holders are given the opportunity to study the whole scheme in the English language.
Scholarship Coverage
- Monthly scholarship rate of 850€
- Health insurance
- Travel allowances
- Study and research subsidies
Study Programme
- Preparatory German language course of 6 months (April to September)
- 2 years master programme in Governance and Public Policy
- Additional support by the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme team and extracurricular activities
How to apply?
Applying might seem simple at first glance. But you have to pay attention to your application files to be complete and valid. Therefore, please have a look at our application manual before you upload your files to our application portal(Applications via e-mail or as postal item won’t be considered!).
The application period at the University of Passau for the 2021/2022 academic session starts on 1 June 2020 and ends on 31 July 2020. Please refrain from handing in applications before or after that period.
Application documents
Before applying via our application portal please prepare the following documents and save them as PDF files:
- DAAD application form for Research Grants and Study Scholarships (only electronically editing possible),
- a hand-signed letter of motivation with current date containing a precise description of the applicant’s academic/professional and personal reasons for choosing this scholarship programme and the universities with a maximum of 2 pages,
- a hand signed complete CV with current date including information about the applicant’s precise field of study and, if applicable, description of job experience,
- electronic copies of university diplomas on officially headed paper (an explanation of the grading system has to be attached),
- electronic copies of your transcript(s) of records on officially headed paper,
- electronic copies of the school leaving certificate/High School diploma which entitles holders to study at a university in their home country
- electronic copies of of a language certificate, testifying your English language skills equivalent to at least B2 level of the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). In case the general medium of instruction at your previous university was English it is sufficient to attach a confirmation of your university on officially headed paper. We do not accept certificates issued more than two years ago,
- if available, electronic copies of a language certificate, testifying your German language skills on officially headed paper,
- one letter of recommendation, signed and recently dated by your university professor or current employer, supplemented by an official letterhead, and stamp.
- job reference(s) of your (former) employer(s), if you have mentioned any kind of job experience in your CV.
For more information, please visit Official Website.
