DAAD Study Scholarships — Postgraduate Studies in the Field of Music
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)
Application deadline
Check the official page
Overview
The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) offers Study Scholarships for postgraduate study in the field of Music in Germany. It is meant for music graduates who want to do a Master's degree, a postgraduate course, or advanced studies (such as Konzertexamen or Meisterklasse) at a German state college of music.
DAAD says the programme is aimed at graduates from the field of Music. You should already have a first degree in music, and that degree should normally not be more than six years old at the time of the application deadline. You must also not have lived in Germany for more than 15 months before the deadline. DAAD will not fund a course in Germany that you have already started.
The scholarship pays a monthly amount of 992 euros. DAAD also gives a travel allowance (on application), a one-off study allowance, and payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance. Extra help such as a rent subsidy, family allowance and a German language course may be added. DAAD does not pay tuition fees.
Funding runs for 2 to 4 semesters for degree studies, or 2 semesters (12 months) for advanced studies.
You apply online through the DAAD portal linked from the official programme page, and upload your work samples to the DAAD media database. Check the official page for the current last date before you start.
At a glance
| Who can apply | PG |
|---|---|
| Streams | Music |
| Category | All |
| Age | — |
| Income limit | — |
| Gender | — |
| States | All India |
| Benefit / amount | Monthly payment of 992 euros, plus travel allowance, a one-off study allowance and payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover |
| Duration | Degree studies: 2 to 4 semesters, depending on the standard period of study. Advanced studies without a degree: 2 semesters (12 months), extendable on application. |
| Renewable | — |
| Last date | See official page |
| Opened | — |
Documents you'll need
- CV in tabular form
- Letter of motivation (1-3 pages)
- Current transcript of records with an explanation of the grading system
- University degree certificate with final grade
- Proof of language ability (German or English)
- German or English translations of documents in other languages
- Letter of admission from the German music college, if already available (degree programmes)
- Confirmation of supervision from a German lecturer
- Work samples uploaded to the DAAD media database (video files, mp4, maximum resolution 1080 pixels; mp3/wav allowed for composition and audio work)
How you're selected
A selection committee made up of professors from German colleges of music assesses the applications. The main criteria are the artistic qualification and artistic maturity, measured by study achievements and work samples, and the quality of the proposed project as measured by the study plan and letter of motivation.
FAQs
Who can apply? DAAD states the programme is aimed at graduates from the field of Music. You need a completed first degree in music (or to have used up the training available in your country). The degree should not date back more than 6 years at the time of the application deadline, and you must not have lived in Germany for more than 15 months before the deadline.
How much money do I get? DAAD states "A monthly payment of 992 euros". You also get a travel allowance (you must apply for it), a one-off study allowance, and payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance. A monthly rent subsidy, family allowance and language-course support may be added. Tuition fees are not covered.
How long does the funding last? For degree studies, the funding period is 2 to 4 semesters, depending on the standard period of study. For advanced studies without a degree it is 2 semesters (12 months), which can be extended on application.
What is the last date to apply? We could not confirm a current last date from the official page. DAAD only says applications are possible between 1 June and the stated application deadline, and that deadlines are updated at least once a year. Please check the official DAAD programme page for the current deadline before applying.
How do I apply? You apply online. Register on the DAAD portal, fill the online form, upload your documents as PDFs, and then upload your work samples to the DAAD media database within two weeks. The portal closes at 24:00 hrs (CET or CEST) on the last application day.
Does winning the scholarship mean I get a seat? No. DAAD notes that a scholarship award does not automatically mean admission to a college of music. The college decides admission separately and usually holds an entrance examination, and DAAD does not cover the cost of taking that exam.