University of Potsdam Scholarships for International Students

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Young, modern, and future-thinking, the University of Potsdam leverages its innate curiosity to fuel its research and teaching projects, catapulting itself to top university ranks among Berlin institutions. But despite how far it’s come in only 29 years, the university’s mission remains simple – to be a place where knowledge grows. Here, we will be looking at the University of Potsdam scholarships for international students.

The University of Potsdam comprises one campus in three locations across the bustling capital of Potsdam, Brandenburg, and showcases a roster of transdisciplinary courses across its six faculties. Some iconic courses include Jewish Studies, Patholinguistics, and IT Systems Engineering. More than just student learning, the University of Potsdam is also a well-known hub among teachers – the university is the only teacher-training institute in the state of Brandenburg.

As a city of Science, research is a discipline that is close to the heart of the University of Potsdam. Specializing in the Cognitive sciences, Data Sciences, Environmental Systems, and Evolutionary Biology, students provide growth solutions for health and psychology, business, and environmental sustainability.

True to its mission, the university grows in knowledge by using science to break barriers globally. It is developing its science faculty in Golm into an Innovation Campus and uses its expertise in digitization as a lead partner in the European Digital UniverCity, providing schools across Europe a common space to collaborate without administrative, cultural, and social obstacles.

This university is growing into something big and it’s got the rankings to prove it. Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings ranks The University of Potsdam among the top 20% of schools worldwide, with its highest mark in the area of quality research. The university also placed 30th among THE Rankings for Young Universities worldwide – the third-highest among German universities.

As it continues to grow in knowledge and expertise, join the University of Potsdam through its compelling and accessible scholarships:

University of Potsdam Scholarships

Undergraduate Scholarships at University of Potsdam

1. Free Tuition

  • Scholarship Amount: Full tuition waiver.
  • Eligibility Criteria: Enrollees of the University of Potsdam courses.
  • Scholarship Link

As part of German state law, public universities do not charge tuition fees for all undergraduate programs. Fortunately, this rule also applies to international students. However, the waiver only applies to tuition – students still need to pay a small semester fee of approximately 304 EUR to cover student services, enrollment, and transportation fees.

2. The University Scholarship Program (USP)

  • Scholarship Amount: 300 EUR per month for 1 year.
  • Eligibility Criteria: Enrollees of the University of Potsdam courses.
  • Scholarship Link

The University Scholarship Program is a coveted program for excellent students. This University of Potsdam scholarship aims to build a strong scholarship culture in Germany while giving more chances for exposure and networking for high-potential talent. Students may even choose the sponsors they wish to be ‘matched’ to, in line with their desired career goals. Sponsors are a 50-50 split between private donors and the federal government. The number of accepted scholars depends on available funding by these institutions each year.

Incoming students at the university are eligible to apply, so long as they are within their standard duration of the study. All interested students must submit their application forms through the online portal, along with their letter of motivation and a comprehensive curriculum vitae including extracurricular activities and volunteer work. For students already studying at the University of Potsdam, they must add a certificate of study at the university and a performance review from PULS (transcript of records). On the other hand, first-time students must supply an acceptance letter from the university and a copy of their academic records. A letter of recommendation is not required, but helpful.

All applications submitted on or before the deadline will be processed. These will be assessed based on academic excellence, motivation, voluntary commitment, and in extreme cases, special circumstances. Acceptance will be notified by mail.

3. Potsdam University Scholarship Denkfabrik

  • Scholarship Amount: 300 EUR per month for 1 academic year.
  • Eligibility Criteria: Enrollees of the University of Potsdam courses that are eligible for Think Tanks.
  • Scholarship Link

A more rigorous subsegment of the USP, the Potsdam University Scholarship Denkfabrik (Think Tank) is an original concept of the University of Potsdam. This novel structure aims to build scholars who genuinely seek discourse and learn beyond the four walls of the classroom. 10-15 student researchers will be offered a spot in select Think Tanks and will work together for one year on the topic.

Aside from regular meetings, key events of the Think Tank consist of a BarCamp to choose a topic, a “Bergfest” or a midterm review, and a presentation of results at the end of the academic year. The Think Tank allows students to sharpen their research skills through in-depth analysis and work in an interdisciplinary environment.

Applying for the Think Tank involves the same process as a USP application, with an additional essay requirement. A separate panel will assess these applications to produce the final list of accepted scholars. Not all courses are eligible for Think Tanks, so it would be best to check prior to application.

The university also sponsors postgraduate scholarships as follows:

Postgraduate Scholarships at University of Potsdam

1. Free Tuition

  • Scholarship Amount: Full tuition waiver.
  • Eligibility Criteria: Enrollees of the University of Potsdam courses. (Exceptions apply)
  • Degree Offered: Master’s
  • Scholarship Link

The University of Potsdam also offers free Master’s education for its postgraduate students. However, exceptions apply for continuing education programs.

2. Degree Completion Grant for International Students

  • Scholarship Amount: 600 EUR per month for up to 5 months.
  • Eligibility Criteria: Non-German students with good academic standing but in financial need.
  • Degree Offered: Master’s, Ph.D.
  • Scholarship Link

A grant sponsored by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the Degree Completion Grant supports international students of excellent academic standing that are unable to self-finance their graduate degree to completion. Up to three scholars per semester will receive a monthly stipend of 600 EUR for up to five months.

To apply for this scholarship at the University of Potsdam, students must submit their applications online, along with a curriculum vitae, letter of motivation, transcript of records, current income, and other appropriate attachments. Applications will be assessed based on academic and extra-curricular standing, financial need, and other significant circumstances.

3. Ph.D. Scholarship

  • Scholarship Amount: 1,100 EUR per month.
  • Eligibility Criteria: Ph.D. candidates admitted into the University of Potsdam; with the first supervisor from the University.
  • Degree Offered: Ph.D.
  • Scholarship Link

Ph.D. candidates looking for funding may apply for the University of Potsdam’s Ph.D. Scholarship program. Accepted scholars fall into two categories: Full-time scholarships, which finance Ph.D. studies for up to 36 months, and Completion scholarships, which are short-term programs intended to finance students’ last few terms for up to six months. Interested students must be admitted into the University of Potsdam, with a first supervisor from the university.

Eligible students may download the forms online, and accepted scholars will receive a monthly subsidy of 1,100 EUR for the approved duration of study to cover living expenses.

 

For more scholarship options from various organizations which are endorsed by the university, check out their official website.

 

I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Europe Scholarships Page.