DAAD In-Region Master's Scholarship, MSc Mathematics (University of Pretoria)

• Duration: the standard length of the programme, up to 24 months. After year one, academic achievement is reviewed and the scholarship continues if the programme will be completed in reasonable time.
• Tuition fees paid by DAAD directly to the university; the amount is set in the Letter of Award and some fee items may not be covered. Fee increases and repeat-exam fees are not covered.
• Monthly scholarship for accommodation, food and other costs: EUR 600.
• Study and research allowance: EUR 460 per year.
• Thesis publishing costs: EUR 400, once near the end.
• Flat-rate travel allowance (usually twice, at start and end) and health insurance, In-Region only; details in the Letter of Award.
• Research-based Master's scholars may apply for a 3 to 6 month research stay in Germany (monthly payment, insurance, flat-rate travel), within the regular study period and subject to funds; also four-week summer schools in Germany and e-trainings.
• Payments cannot start before the scholarship start date and start of studies; the first payment follows arrival, so bring enough money for at least two months.

• 2027 intake: DAAD portal closing date 29 April 2026, 24:00 Central European Time.
• The University of Pretoria sets its own separate admission deadline.
• The scholarship usually begins on 1 February of the following year.
• Selection usually takes place in September; the decision is announced about six months after the application process closes.

1. Register on the DAAD portal and submit the online application with all mandatory documents as PDFs, in English or German, before the deadline. Other channels are not considered.
2. Generate the recommendation form in the portal under 'Request reference form', have a university teacher complete and sign it, then upload it.
3. Apply separately for admission to the MSc in Mathematics at the University of Pretoria through its own procedure and deadline.
4. Obtain a Qualifications Authority document (such as SAQA) if required for admission.
5. Submit proof of admission before the scholarship starts and a proof of arrival once at UP; the scholarship takes effect only after both.

Contacts: DAAD Hellen Sahlmann, [email protected]; portal technical help [email protected]; UP Prof Mapundi Banda, [email protected].

DAAD In-Country/In-Region programme

• Online application form.
• Tabular CV.
• One letter of recommendation on the DAAD form, signed (and if possible stamped) by a university teacher.
• Final degree certificate showing final grades (no provisional certificates), with grading scale and recognition information if available.
• Transcript of records of the most recent degree.
• Letter of motivation of 1 to 2 pages (300 to 1000 words) covering personal, social and academic motivation and a possible Master's project; for course-based programmes, a study schedule and course project.
• Valid passport or national ID.
• Proof of admission and semester schedule (course-based programmes) by the scholarship start at the latest.
• Optional: publications list, research time schedule, further degrees and transcripts, refugee ID or UNHCR document, proof of internships or employment.
• Documents not in English or German must be uploaded in the original with a certified copy.

DAAD first checks formal criteria on portal applications. Applications that meet both UP admission requirements (with UP's pre-selection ranking) and DAAD criteria go to an independent committee of international university teachers, experts and alumni. It evaluates academic performance and quality, extracurricular activities, motivation and relevance of the research topic. DAAD reserves the right of final selection.