Helmut-Schmidt-Programme
The Master's programme in Peace and Conflict Studies at the Otto-von-Guericke-University (OvGU) Magdeburg is part of the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German Federal Foreign Office. Here you can find all necessary information on the application for the winter term 2026/2027.
It is very important to read the below information carefully, you can also watch the two videos that we have created to guide you through the application process by clicking on the links: Video 1 / Video 2. However, the instructions provided by PACS and DAAD websites are the only reliable source and cannot in any way be replaced by these two videos.
Objective
The Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (Master’s Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance) was 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. The programme offers excellent graduates with a first university degree the chance to obtain a Master’s degree in disciplines that are of special relevance for the social, political, and economic development of their home country. With the knowledge and experience acquired in Germany, the scholarship holders should later contribute to the establishment of democratically oriented economic and social systems aimed at overcoming social differences. With this programme, DAAD intends to contribute to the support of Good Governance and civil society structures in selected partner countries and regions.
| Who can apply? | Graduates from developing countries in the field of social sciences, political sciences, law, economics, and public administration (list of countries). To be eligible, applicants also have to currently live in one of the countries on that list. |
| Target Group | Very well qualified graduates with a first university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) who want to actively contribute to the social and economic development of their home countries or regions. It is offered both for young graduates without professional experience and for mid-career professionals. |
| What is fundable? |
|
Requirements
- Academic degree in social or cultural sciences (Bachelor's degree, university degree, or equivalent degree from a state or nationally accredited institution, a master's degree, or a state examination also accepted) with far above average results (German system: 2.5 or better) with a total of at least 180 ECTS. If the first degree is not yet completed, at least 150 CP must have been achieved at the time of application.
- For applicants from outside the Social Sciences:
- At least 30 ECTS of the degree must come from social and/or cultural sciences classes (seminars/lectures/methods, etc.). The areas of the degree from the social sciences must be completed with at least a "good" GPA equivlent to 2.5 or better as -per the German system.
- Language skills
- English C1 in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
- We accept the following language certificates:
- UNIcert III
- IELTS (7.0, 7.5, 8.0)
- Cambridge (CAE of 180 or more)
- TOEFL iBT (95-120), CBT (263-300), PBT (627-677), ITP Level 1 (627-677)
- TOEIC Listening and Reading Test (945-990), TOEIC Speaking Test (180-200), TOEIC Writing Test (180-200)
- telc C1 certificates
- Pearson PTE Academic
- Due to the current situation, we are again accepting the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and the IELTS Indicator certificate
- If you have obtained a university degree in an English-speaking programme in Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand, the USA, Ireland or Canada we may be able to accept that as proof of English proficiency.
- Other language skills are an advantage
- Political & social engagement
- International experience (work or study related) of at least 3 months
- Convincing description of the subject-related & personal motivation
- Expected benefit when returning to the home country or region
- Explanation of the choice of programme and place of study
- Intended focus of study
- Presentation of previous experiences relevant to PACS (studies and if necessary beyond this)
- Intended career paths after completion of your studies
The most recent university degree should have been obtained in the six years preceding the application. Applicants who have been in Germany for more than 15 months at the application deadline will not be considered!
Application 1st of June 2025 - 15th of July 2025!
Here you can find a list of documents you need for your application. To facilitate the application process, it is sufficient to send simple copies of all documents by E-mail (combined in one PDF document). All documents that are not in English must be submitted in certified translations (English). If approval is granted, the indicated documents must be submitted subsequently as officially certified copies.
On the website of the DAAD you can find the most up-to-date overview on the required documents for your application.
however, the list below summarizes what is needed (always cross check with DAAD requirements):
- DAAD Checklist: hand-signed and dated (please refer to DAAD website)
- DAAD Application Form for Research Grants and Study Scholarships: hand-signed (wet signature), but electronically edited (please refer to DAAD website)
- Application Form for Admission to Studies at OVGU university (find the information sheet here that can guide you on how to fill the form);
- Letter of motivation (one single letter for both study courses you want to apply for), containing a precise description of your academic/professional and personal reasons for choosing those master´s programmes and universities (two pages maximum, hand-signed, dated);
- CV (in Europass format) in English including information about the precise field of your studies, your political and social engagement and, if applicable, description of job experience (hand-signed, dated);
- Simple copy of passport (pages with personal detail & photograph) and residence permit (where applicable);
- Simple copies of the certificate for the higher education entrance examination completed in your home country, if taken (certified copies are requested after approval);
- Simple copies of degree certificates of all University degrees (Bachelor, Master) (please attach an explanation of the grading system / later officially certified copies);
- Simple copies of transcripts of records (later officially certified copies);
- Simple copy of recent English language certificate (Level C1) (later officially certified copy);
- Proof of international experience (work or study experience) of at least 3 months;
- Letter of recommendation by your university professor or current employer (hand signed, recently dated & supplemented by an official letterhead, and stamp);
- Certificate of employment to support relevant professional experience mentioned in your CV (if applicable) signed & supplemented by official letter head and stamps;
- Proof of social or political engagement signed & supplemented by official letter head and stamps.
IMPORTANT:
Please send your complete application as a smiple document (merged into one single PDF document) to:
This E-mail address should only be used for the application for the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme at the OvGU. More information about the application to the OvGU can be found here. You can also try to find answers to your questions by looking into the FAQ of the DAAD (please refer to DAAD website).
Please also note that the application period for the winter term 2026/2027: From the 1st of June until the 15th of July 2025
Selection Process
In October/November 2025 a selection committee consisting of university professors and DAAD representatives meets and suggests potential candidates for a DAAD scholarship. Afterwards, the suggested candidates are contacted by the DAAD to upload their complete application to the DAAD Portal. All applicants will be informed at the end of the selection process – approx. by the end of December 2025. We kindly ask you to refrain from requests for further information, as we will be in contact with you as soon as we have selected the candidates.
Important: Make sure that you have a copy of each document of your application ready, as those documents (as PDF files) have to be uploaded to the DAAD portal in case you are suggested for a DAAD scholarship! If approval is granted, officially certified copies will be requested
Important Notes:
- Decisions on successful applications are made based on the submitted documents. The PACS Master's programme starts in the winter term of the academic year only.
- Please be aware that we will not reply to any email that contains in part or in whole pre-screening requests, for example requests concerning the eligibility of previous studies or experiences, evaluation of your transcripts of records or study certificates, or the assessment of any application documents/qualifications.
- Please also be aware that we do not offer individual consultancy regarding the application procedures, familiarity with the study programme, or any other general questions regarding your stay and study in Germany.
- Should any questions arise concerning the application procedure via myOVGU or uni-assist, please contact the Student Registration Office. Questions that concern the study programme itself and are not answered on our website or in the FAQs can be sent to . Please be aware that due to the high number of requests emails that contain answered questions on our website will most probably be disregarded. In case you have not received an answer to your inquiry within one week please revisit our website and check the information again. We thank you for your understanding !
