DAAD Helmut Schmidt Program Scholar Hanna from Ethiopia Shares Her Journey of Securing a Fully Funded Master's at the University of Erfurt, Germany

I’m Hanna, originally from Ethiopia. I studied Economics in my undergrad and chose to pursue an MA in public policy (MPP) as a continuation of that (i.e., with a specific orientation to making/analyzing government policies) at the University of Erfurt- Willy Brandt School of Public Policy.

DAAD Helmut Schmidt Program Scholarship Details

I’m currently a beneficiary of the DAAD Helmut Schmidt Program scholarship in Germany. The monthly stipend is EUR 992, without counting health insurance costs (covered by DAAD). This itself is for the master’s degree, but an additional EUR 6,000 was spent on teaching us German for 4 months prior to starting classes. Some students receive only 2 months of German courses, while others may get 6 months.

Educational Background

As mentioned above, I have a BA in Economics, with a 3.96/4 GPA. The curriculum of my undergraduate university helped me qualify for all the criteria required in the application process (number of years studies, specific quantitative/social sciences studies, etc.) However, I found that I was the only candidate from an economics background to apply for this program, with most of my peers having done theirs in political science, law, international relations, and so on. That might have given me an advantage.

How Did You Find Information About DAAD Helmut Schmidt Program Scholarship and University of Erfurt?

This was by luck. A friend told me about it a week before the deadline. I do usually search for opportunities on LinkedIn and other scholarship websites.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

Yes, IELTS. I already had a good standing with English, but I made sure to take several practice tests starting a month before my exam date.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the DAAD Helmut Schmidt Program Scholarship?

Prepare all standard documents (degree, transcript, IELTS), narrow down opportunities to a select few, and focus on them. I take extra care in writing motivational letters.

How Does the University of Erfurt Support International Students?

The recruitment team is quite supportive. They guide students from visa application to finding housing, and have a 2-week-long orientation at the beginning of the first year.

Is the Institution That You Are Studying at Free for the Master of Public Policy? If You Had to Pay Semester Fees, How Much Was It?

The Master of Public Policy at the Willy Brandt School is, quite unfortunately, not free. It’s one of the rare cases in Germany as public universities do not usually require it. Tuition fees are €2,100 per semester for the 2026/27 academic year and €2,225 per semester for 2027/28. However, all DAAD students are exempt from this. We do, however, pay 320-340 euros as semester fees.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or German?

English

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Not Knowing German?

A bit. Even if your peers and teachers speak English, some German is necessary for day-to-day navigation. The school offers German classes, though, and it is even mandatory for 1-2 semesters.

Looking Back, Would You Have Done Anything Differently During Your Time in the Program?

Found out about it earlier.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

Make sure your background fits what the school is looking for and take your essays seriously.