Resources for Study and Research in Germany

- Information and Scholarships -

Ulrich Grothus

Director, DAAD New York

Herzlich Willkommen!

Who Are We?

► German national agency for international academic cooperation and exchange

► Independent association of universities

► Providing scholarships, information, counseling

► Can$ 360 million annual budget, 50,000+ scholarships awarded annually

► Regional Office for Canada and the US in New York

► Informatíon Center for Canada in Toronto

German Higher Education

►Research Universities: undergraduate, professional and doctoral programs

►Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen): practice-oriented Bachelor’s and Master’s programs

►How to find the best institutions in any field:“CHE Rankings”, results published in English at www.daad.de

An example for a CHE ranking

CHE Ranking Example (cont.)

DFG Research Ranking 2003

Recent Developments: Bologna Process

►Creation of a European Higher Education Area by 2010

►Introduction of Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD (typically 3 + 2 + 3 years)

►Several hundred international degree programs taught in English at German universities

►New opportunities to enter Germany as a student – or for German students to start grad school in North America

Undergraduate Scholarships

►Funding for study abroad, internships, or senior thesis research

►Open to students in all fields

►4-10 months during the German academic year

►Around 10 awarded to Canadians annually

Also for Undergrads: RISE new

►“Research Internships in Science and Engineering” with German doctoral students

►6-12 weeks in summer

►Scholarships, health insurance and housing assistance are provided

►100 interns (16 Canadians) placed in 2005 – more for 2006

Grads/Undergrads: Summer Courses

►Summer courses at German universities in hundreds of topics

►Combine coursework with advanced language learning

►2 years minimum language requirement

Grad Students: Study Scholarships

►Support for one or two years of study in Germany

►Can be used to earn a master’s degree – some taught in English – at a German university

►Graduating seniors may apply

Grad Students: Research Grants

►1 to 10 months (with possibility of one-year extension)

►For graduate students, PhD candidates and postdocs

►Must have well-defined research project

►Overall around 20 graduate scholarships awarded to Canadians each year

Tips for Success

► Express why a stay in Germany is critical for the student’s academic or professional goals.

► Obtain a letter of invitation from a German professor or institution.

► Explain clearly reasons for choosing location and/or program.

► Submit quality letters of recommendations.

► Make sure application is on time and complete.

The issue of language

►Language requirements commensurate with actual needs (from zero in English taught programs or science research labs to very good in humanities programs)

►Proficiency in German is always advantageous – and mastering a language spoken by 100 million people is an asset

Organized Student Exchange - ISAP

► Exchange of small groups of students between a German and a Canadian department

► Full credit, tuition waived or reduced

► DAAD supports German students and faculty exchange

► Reciprocity, if not symmetry

► Currently 18 programs with 21 Canadian partners, most in engineering, sciences, business admin

For more information…

►Visit our website: www.daad.org (DAAD NYC)

►Other web resources:

www.daad.de (DAAD worldwide)

www.higher-education-compass.de (programs offered by German universities)

Vielen Dank

Your questions and comments