Hochschulsommerkurse in Deutschland fuer auslaendische Studierende und Graduierte (HSK)

DAAD summer language course scholarship (HSK)

You will receive a fully funded four-week German language course at a German university or with an affiliated course provider, as well as a one-off cash payment of 475 EUR. The scholarship also covers your course fees, a single room for the entire duration of the course (in a student hall of residence, a shared flat or a private home), as well as health, accident and third-party liability insurance. Students from certain countries will also receive a travel allowance. The courses take place from June to September, are taught exclusively in German and on-site, and comprise at least 25 teaching hours per week. The focus is on everyday and subject-specific German, as well as on German culture and society. The programme is organised by the DAAD, the German Academic Exchange Service.

Who can apply

• Level: You are currently studying for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, or you hold at least a first academic qualification (e.g. a Bachelor’s degree) and are pursuing further studies.
• Study progress: By the start of the degree programme, you will have completed at least two years of study.
• Field of study: Anyone interested is very welcome.
• Where you study: You are enrolled at a university outside Germany at the time of your application and throughout your degree programme.
• Nationality: You can apply from a wide range of countries around the world. The only exception is Germany.
• Age: You must be at least 18 at the start of the scholarship.
• German level: You must be able to follow lectures in German and take part in group work. You must provide evidence of this by means of a recognised test (e.g. onSET, TestDaF or a certificate from the Goethe-Institut, telc or DSH) taken within the last year. Results at level B2 / TDN4 or higher may be up to two years old.
• One time only: You have not yet received this scholarship.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted via the DAAD online portal between 1 September and 30 October (23:59 CET). On the application form, you should list three degree programmes of your choice. A selection committee, which is usually based in your home country, selects applicants on the basis of their academic results and a compelling personal statement. The results are usually announced in March.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a globally recognised DAAD programme open to all disciplines and many countries; as a result, there is a large pool of applicants and the selection process is highly competitive. What sets applicants apart from the rest are outstanding academic achievements and a compelling personal statement that relates to your studies and your plans. If you clearly meet the requirements regarding German language proficiency and the two-year period of study, and submit your application in good time before the October deadline, you’ll be well placed.