Merit Scholarships for International Students

Merit Scholarships for International Students (Leistungsstipendien), Universität Hamburg

Universität Hamburg, Germany

Scholarship overview

Universität Hamburg awards merit scholarships to international degree-seeking students with particularly good academic achievements. A committee of faculty members and the student council (AStA) decides.

Funding is limited; recent success rates were 28% (April 2024), 18% (October 2024) and 11% (April 2025).

Award Information

Enrolled in your subject at Universität Hamburg for at least 2 completed semesters and pursuing a degree (students in 2-year master's programmes after 1 completed semester).
Not a German citizen; dual German and foreign citizens are not eligible.
Not eligible for BAföG; students meeting the BAföG Section 8 requirements cannot be funded.
Doctoral researchers cannot apply.
No age limit.

Up to EUR 992 per month.
Awarded for 2 semesters (12 months); reapplication possible, maximum total funding period 2 years.
Paid on the first day of each funded month; cannot be paid into a foreign bank account.
Part-time work allowed up to EUR 603 per month; no additional funding from other sources permitted; no funding during a semester abroad.

April round: application deadline 15 April, funding starts 1 October. Only complete applications received by the deadline are considered.

Open the application form for the April round and log in with your STiNE ID.
Register with your university student email address.
Upload all documents to the Mobility-Online portal (login details arrive by email after the form).
Ask your two evaluators at least 6 weeks before applying and give them the evaluation form.

Contact: [email protected] (use your student email).

Official links

How to apply (official)

Documents you will need

CV.
Letter of motivation on the required template.
Record of achievements: STiNE Leistungskonto or transcript; master's students also the latest degree certificate with grades.
Residence permit scan (EU citizens: ID and Meldebescheinigung).
Two evaluations from full-time doctoral-level teaching staff at Universität Hamburg on the required form.
Proof of subject-related additional achievements and awards, if applicable.

How selection works

Criteria are good to excellent academic performance and additional subject-related achievements such as publications or prizes. Applicants are notified by email.

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