Study Scholarships Postgraduate Studies in the Fields of Fine Art, Design, Visual Communication and Film

The DAAD Study Scholarship for Fine Art, Design, Visual Communication and Film supports international students who want to continue their education in Germany through a Master's, postgraduate, or complementary study programme.

The scholarship is intended for applicants pursuing artistic and creative studies. It also supports academic and professional exchange and networking with colleagues in Germany.

Who Can Apply for the DAAD Study Scholarship?

Applicants can apply if they have completed a first university degree in the field of arts.

The scholarship is intended for artistic and creative programmes in areas such as:

• Fine Art

• Design

• Visual Communication

• Film

The scholarship does not cover programmes focused on:

• History of Art

• Art Studies

• Restoration

Applicants interested in these fields should explore other DAAD scholarship programmes.

What Study Programmes Can Be Funded?

The DAAD scholarship can support several types of study in Germany.

Master's or Postgraduate Degree

Applicants can pursue a Master's or postgraduate programme leading to a final qualification at a state or state-recognised university in Germany.

Applicants can select their preferred university, provided they meet the university's admission requirements.

A Master's or postgraduate programme that has already started in Germany cannot be funded under this scholarship.

Complementary Study Without a Degree

Applicants can also apply for a complementary study programme that does not lead to a degree.

This may include:

1. A study year in Germany as part of a programme at the applicant's home university.

2. An independent artistic project in Germany.

3. A complementary study programme with a professor or instructor in Germany.

For this option, a connection with a German university in the relevant field of art is mandatory. Applicants must provide confirmation of supervision.

Funding for Study Abroad Periods

If a Master's or postgraduate programme includes a period of study abroad, DAAD may fund that period under specific conditions.

The study visit must:

• Be necessary to achieve the purpose of the scholarship.

• Take place outside the applicant's home country.

• Not exceed one quarter of the scholarship period.

For joint or double degree programmes, the study abroad period can be up to 50% of the scholarship period if this is specified in the programme's study regulations.

Longer periods cannot be funded, even partially.

DAAD Scholarship Duration

The duration of funding depends on the selected study option.

Master's or Postgraduate Programme

Funding is provided for 10 to 24 months, depending on the standard length of the selected programme.

The scholarship normally begins on 1 October of the following year, depending on the programme's start date. A German language course may begin earlier when required.

Applicants should state the full period of funding they are requesting in their application.

For example, if the selected Master's programme lasts two years, the applicant should request funding for the full two-year period.

Complementary Study

Complementary study without a final qualification is normally funded for one academic year, usually 12 months.

This can include:

• A study year at a German university as part of a programme at the applicant's home university.

• An independent artistic project in Germany.

• A complementary course with a professor or instructor in Germany.

A connection with a German university in the relevant field of art is required.

The study period normally begins on 1 October of the following year, or earlier if a German language course is required before the programme begins.

DAAD Scholarship Benefits

Selected scholarship holders receive the following benefits:

Depending on individual circumstances, additional benefits may include:

• Monthly rent subsidy

• Monthly allowance for accompanying family members

• Support for justified additional costs related to a disability or chronic illness

• Green Mobility Top Up for climate-friendly travel or reimbursement of carbon offset payments for air travel

German Language Support

DAAD provides several forms of support for scholarship holders who need to improve their German language skills.

Support may include:

1. An online German language course after receiving the scholarship award letter.

2. A 2, 4 or 6-month German language course before the study programme, if required.

3. An allowance for a personally selected German language course during the scholarship period.

4. Reimbursement of the TestDaF or DSH examination fee.

A preparatory German language course is compulsory when German is the language of instruction or working language at the German host institution.

Does DAAD Cover Tuition Fees?

No. DAAD does not cover tuition fees.

Applicants should check the tuition fee requirements of their chosen German university and programme before applying.

How Are DAAD Scholarship Applications Selected?

After an application is submitted through the DAAD portal, DAAD first conducts a formal check.

The application is checked to determine whether:

1. The applicant meets the eligibility requirements.

2. The application is complete.

Applicants who pass the formal check are asked to submit their artistic portfolio.

A special DAAD selection committee consisting of professors from German art, design and film schools makes the final scholarship decision.

The decision is based mainly on the written application and artistic portfolio.

Applicants should be aware that there can be a waiting period of up to seven months between submitting the application and receiving notification of the selection decision.

DAAD Scholarship Selection Criteria

The selection committee considers several aspects of the application.

Artistic Qualification

The applicant's artistic ability and development are assessed through previous study achievements and the artistic portfolio.

Quality of the Proposed Study

The committee also considers the quality of the proposed study or project.

This is assessed based on information such as the:

• Study plan

• Motivation letter

• Proposed artistic or academic work

The selection process also takes equal opportunity considerations into account. Applicants can provide relevant information in their application.

DAAD Scholarship Does Not Guarantee University Admission

Receiving a DAAD scholarship does not automatically guarantee admission to a German university.

The selected university makes its own admission decision. Some universities may require an entrance examination or another admission assessment.

Applicants should therefore check the following requirements of their chosen university well in advance:

• Admission requirements

• Application deadline

• Entrance examination requirements

• Entrance examination dates

University deadlines may be several months before the planned programme start date and may occur before the DAAD scholarship decision.

DAAD does not cover the costs of entrance examinations.

Can You Apply Before University Admission?

Yes. Applicants can apply for the DAAD scholarship before receiving an admission letter from their chosen German university.

However, if the applicant receives a scholarship offer, they must provide the university's admission letter before the scholarship begins.

The DAAD Scholarship Award Letter is only valid if the applicant has been admitted to the host university named in the application.

Important Points Before Applying

Before applying for the DAAD Study Scholarship for Fine Art, Design, Visual Communication and Film, remember:

1. You need a first university degree in the field of arts.

2. The scholarship focuses on Fine Art, Design, Visual Communication and Film.

3. Master's and postgraduate programmes must not have already started in Germany.

4. Complementary study requires a connection with a relevant German university.

5. The scholarship provides €992 per month.

6. DAAD does not cover tuition fees.

7. An artistic portfolio is an important part of the selection process.

8. Receiving a scholarship does not automatically guarantee university admission.

9. You can apply for the scholarship before receiving university admission.

10. If awarded the scholarship, you must submit the required university admission letter before the scholarship begins.

11. Applicants should check their chosen university's admission requirements and deadlines separately.

12. Entrance examination costs are not covered by DAAD.