Winning the Helmut-Schmidt Scholarship (Master’s Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance - PPGG
Winning the Helmut-Schmidt Scholarship (Master’s Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance - PPGG
Winning the Helmut-Schmidt Scholarship (Master’s Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance - PPGG
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Lecture Agenda
1. Why Study in Germany?
2. Objectives and Benefits of the DAAD Helmut Schmidt Programme
3. List of Master's Courses and Universities under the Helmut Schmidt Programme
4. Method of Application: Application documents - Brief explanation on each component
5. How to Write a Winning Motivation Letter for the Programme
6. Other Salient Points for Applicants Aiming to Win the Scholarship
7. Questions & Answers
Why Germany?
There is a plethora of reasons why I would recommend Germany to you. Over the years, Germany has consistently
ranked amongst the world’s top and most popular destinations for international students.
1. Germany boasts of some of the top ranked universities in the world. You get to experience quality teaching
and research, and German university degrees are highly respected by employers worldwide.
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2. The quality of living in Germany is one of the highest in the world according to the United Nations Human
Development Index (HDI). This is due to its fast-growing economy, technological advancement, quality
health system, top-notch infrastructural facilities, etc.
3. Compared to some other European countries, Germany is not very expensive. Should you win the DAAD
scholarship, your stipend is enough to cover your living expenses and generate some decent savings at the
end if you're frugal. Besides, you can even work to make additional income, which brings me to the next
point.
4. International students are allowed to work part-time for up to 20 hours a week or 120 full days of a year.
These applies to DAAD scholarship holders as well. It is estimated that more than 60% of current
international students work part-time while studying in Germany.
5. Holding a residence permit as an international student in Germany entitles you to visa free travels to any
country within the Schengen Zone. There are about 26 of them including Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland,
France and Sweden.
6. After studying in Germany, you’ll have the chance to stay on and seek work after you graduate. The law
allows international students to stay for an additional 18 months after graduation to seek work, and you may
even end up staying longer, if that is what you wish.
7. Free tuition in public universities
The scholarships are granted for selected master’s courses at German institutions of higher education in different
cities in Germany. The selected master’s courses have a subject-specific focus on public policy, good governance,
international relations, public management, public administration, civil society, geogovernance, peace and conflict
studies, development and socioeconomic policies. The courses have an international orientation and are taught in
English and/or German.
2. Health insurance, accident and liability insurance in Germany are also covered by the scholarship.
3. Appropriate travel allowances for travel between Germany and the developing countries in question, and
Germany.
5. Rent subsidies, and allowances for spouses and children, where applicable. It means if you're married, your spouse
and children can join you and they will be given decent allowances every month for the duration of your programme.
6. Preceding German language course in Germany (or digitally in the country of origin, depending on the latest
pandemic regulations) usually lasting 6 months. (Participation is mandatory and also applies to scholarship holders in
master's courses taught in English).
7. Scholarship holders of the Helmut-Schmidt Programme benefit from accompanying support services provided by
the programme coordinators at the respective study locations. They benefit from events and seminars organised
specifically for them, as well as close exchange with other international scholarship holders.
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8. It also provides for participation in interdisciplinary networking events.
9. After graduation, scholars are included in the DAAD's alumni work and have opportunity to become involved in
expert networks such as the African Good Governance Network (AGGN) and more.
In fact, you are given support beyond the normal scholarship. These diverse range of offers alongside the master's
courses is what makes the Helmut Schmidt Programme unique.
List of Master's Courses and Universities under the Helmut Schmidt Programme
The following are the list of master's courses sponsored under the programme, duration of courses and the
respective universities. Note that you are to select up to two courses only, in order of priority: 1st choice and 2nd
choice. You can select only one. But you'll be disqualified if you apply to more than two.
1. Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg:
Analysis and Design of Social Protection Systems (teaching language: English, duration: 2 Years)
2. University of Duisburg-Essen: Master of Development and Governance (teaching language: English, duration: 1
Year)
4. University of Magdeburg:
5. Hochschule Osnabrück: Management in Non-profit Organizations (teaching language: German, duration: 2 Years).
You'll need advanced proficiency in the German language to apply for this course. Thus, proof of German proficiency
in required.
6. University of Passau:
7. University of Passau:
Master of Governance and Public Policy (teaching language: German and English, duration: 2 Years). Though it's
taught in both English and German, DAAD scholarship holders will be taught in only English.
8. University of Potsdam:
https://eu.docworkspace.com/d/sAGABg4St3MUlpMD0jamnFA
Method of Application
General Requirements
1. Higher education degree obtained with above average results (top third of graduates)
4. Evidence of internships and/or professional experience is also taken into account positively.
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5. A conclusive account of the applicant’s academic and personal motivation for the study endeavour in Germany
and for choosing and prioritising the courses of study
6. An account of the applicant’s perspectives upon returning to their home country or region.
NOTES:
1. Applicants who obtained their most recent higher education degree more than six years before submitting the
application are NOT ELIGIBLE.
2. Applicants who have resided in a country that is not included in the DAC list of developing and emerging countries
for more than 15 months at the time of the application deadline are NOT ELIGIBLE.
3. If you already hold a master's degree in a similar discipline, you will only be considered in well-justified cases, if
you can explain conclusively why you would want to obtain another master's degree. There are a few scholars in my
cohort who already had already obtained a master's degree but were selected.
4. It must be emphasized that despite the general selection criteria outlined above, all courses of study in the
respective universities have their own application requirements. They also have slightly different methods of
application. For instance, while some may require you to compile all your application documents into a single PDF
file and send to a designated e-mail address, some may rather ask you to register and log onto a portal where you
have to provide your bio-data, education details etc.
5. Another example is about work experience. For some of the schools, you could be accepted with no work
experience while some may require you to have gathered at least 1 year or 2 years work experience after your first
degree.
6. The scholarship is offered for both young graduates without professional experience and for mid-career
professionals, but it depends on the school in question. In my cohort there are many scholars who got the
scholarship with no professional work experience.
It is therefore important to check the admission requirements for each course of study carefully, before submitting
your application to up to only two schools. You can find direct links for each university course and the e-mails of the
course coordinators in the call for applications document. You can reach out to the co-ordinators if you're not clear
on any issue and they are always willing to help.
Application Documents
1. DAAD Application form for Research Grants and Study Scholarships. This is a green form which is written in both
German and English. Please indicate clearly that you are applying for the DAAD Helmut Schmidt Programme. The
form can only be edited electronically. However, it should be dated and signed by hand.
2. Hand-signed and dated motivation letter. It should be a single letter for both universities containing a precise
description of the applicants’ academic/professional and personal reasons for choosing to participate in the Helmut
Schmidt Programme as well as an explanation of your choice of universities/courses of study and prioritisation. The
letter of motivation should not be more than two pages long.
3. Hand-signed and dated full curriculum vitae including information about the precise field of your studies and, if
applicable, description of job experience and political/social involvement. It is recommended to use the Europass CV
template.
4. Copy of acquired Academic Degrees (certified translation, if necessary, please attach an explanation of the grading
system)
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7. Letter(s) of recommendation, signed and recently dated by your university lecturer/professor or current
employer, supplemented by an official letterhead, and stamp (not in a sealed envelope)
8. Work confirmation of your employers or working time certificates for any listed internships, volunteer work and
work experience (if applicable). These must also be signed, dated and bear a letterhead and stamp.
Note : If you choose up to two courses/universities, you are to send the same motivation letter to these
universities/courses. You stand the risk of disqualification if you present different letters.
The letter of motivation is a very crucial document in your application. Take your time and start early. Never try to
write it down in one evening. Avoid all kind of platitudes, flowery phrases and flattery. Be direct and deal with your
points in a reflective and factual manner. Start with a local problem that plagues your community, state or country.
Read about the SDGs and Development Plans of your countries. If you state a global social problem, back it with facts
and figures. Do not merely say Ghana or Nigeria is riddled with poverty or inequality or corruption and you want to
solve it. You are not super man or woman. Most of the assessors are on global boards and organisations dealing with
these problems, and they have advanced various efforts at addressing these problems. Recognise the efforts that
have been made so far. What are the gaps? What hasn't been done yet? How are you going to utilise your new
knowledge, skills and experience to contribute to solving these issues? Do not repeat your CV, but you can make one
or two references to back your points if needed.
1.What is your professional goal? In which sector would you like to work after obtaining your Master’s degree? In
which way do you intend to contribute to the social, political or technical development of your home country?
2. Why are you applying for the chosen Master’s programme(s)? Which of the courses offered in these programmes
are particularly beneficial in pursuing your professional goals?
3. Why do you think you are the right person for this programme? Emphasize your strong points, but be realistic.
What knowledge and skills gathered in your previous education, professional experiences, and social/political
involvement will be useful?
5. What do you know about the German university system and the specifics of studying in Germany?
6. Is there anything in Germany (society, political system, economy…) which you think could serve as a model for
your own country?
7. Are there any German organizations, institutions or companies you would like to visit or learn more about? Why?
Make sure your letter of motivation is well composed. First reflect on all the above questions, take notes, do more
research. Then write an outline. Not all of the above questions have to be answered but try and cover as much. Be
enthusiastic and write your essay based on the outline developed.
Proofread your essay and delete all dispensable and redundant parts. Also pay attention to grammar and spelling.
Make sure you are in the limit of two pages. You can send your essay to an experienced scholar for review and
scrutiny.
2. If you have taken some MOOCs in relation to your intended program, do well to leverage on it in your application
form, citing the knowledge gained and how useful it's going to be in improving your understanding of the intended
course.
3. Emphasize your intention of returning to your home country after your program of study. You're not required to
return, but please let them know the knowledge gained is for the benefit of your home country upon return.
4. Do not play the 'poverty pity-party game'. The Helmut Schmidt Programme doesn't require you to demonstrate
your economic barriers to education or social advancement. You need to communicate in clear terms the value
you're bringing to the table, and the strong desire to impact your immediate community.
I wish prospective applicants all the best in the application process. May GOD come through for us all.
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Questions & Answers
Q: Please what does top third mean (the A: If your graduating class is divided into 3 according
requirements)? to grades, your grade or position should be in the
first group. Or you can say top 30% of your class.
This normally translates to either a first class or
second class upper.
Q: What is the most preferred English Language test A: I think you should reach out to the respective
for the application? Or is an English language universities to check their specific requirements. In
proficiency certificate enough? my experience however, if your undergraduate
course of study was taught in English, you are
required to present either the English Language
Proficiency letter from your university or your
WAEC certificate.
Q: About sending same motivation letter to all A: No please. The same letter needs to be presented
schools applied for. In the case I mention the to all two schools. You are to mention their names
school I am applying to in the motivation letter, in the order you ranked them and justify your
can't I edit the name of the school if I am applying reasons for choosing them. You realise that
to another? University of Passau has two courses. Master of
Development Studies and Master of Governance
and Public Policy. In case you want to apply to
these courses, it means you have to send just one
application to University of Passau, but the courses
need to be ranked in order of priority
Q: Would a medium of instruction in English suffice for A: This is normally dependent on the university.
IELTS or TOEFL? Kindly visit the portal/website of your intended
university/course to verify. As far as I know, once
your undergraduate programme was conducted in
English, a letter indicating medium of instruction in
English or WAEC certificate will suffice.
Q: Please can you share with us the specific link to A: Unfortunately, I do not have the link to this year's
this scholarship? application. Kindly search on Google " DAAD
Helmut Schmidt Programme 2022" and I'm sure
you'll find the results.
Q: How can one get the DAAD scholarship form? A: You can find it on the websites of the participating
courses/universities.
Q: Can I travel with my wife and kids for studies? A: Yes please. And they will be receiving stipends for
If yes, will they be receiving stipends too? the entire duration of your programme.
Q: Will a science student be considered for the A: This programme is expressly intended for students
scholarship? with social science backgrounds
Q: I have been trying to apply to Hannover University A: I believe this is under DAAD EPOS programme. The
but, I was told that I need to apply through "Uni- EPOS programme has different application route
assist" site. from the Helmut Schmidt Programme. Thank you.
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Please, is that the only way I can apply to the
school or there's another way?
Q: Please what about the visa processing? How much A: This is under DAAD EPOS.
is required for the applicants to have in his or her
bank account during visa processing? Thanks
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