Frequently Asked Questions
DAAD Scholarships

We are looking for candidates with a non-German citizenship who are holding a Master's degree or equivalent in Sociology, Political Sciences, Economics, Statistics, Demography, Empirical Educational Sciences or Psychology. Qualified graduates of related subjects with a strong social science background and with a research proposal fitting into BAGSS’s research profile are also encouraged to apply.

Applicants must have an excellent command of English. If English is not your native tongue, you will need to provide an English language proficiency proof when being shortlisted and invited for an interview.

Candidates should not have lived in Germany for more than 15 months by March 2026. Furthermore, the last final examination for the highest university degree (usually the Master's degree) should not have taken place more than six years prior to the start of the membership.

Applicants should be very close to completion of their degree. The degree must be completed by the time of admission to BAGSS. Applicants should submit preliminary transcripts of records.

Applications for the DAAD Scholarships (starting October 2026) are accepted from 10 November 2025 until 10 February 2026. 

Unfortunately, we cannot consider applications for DAAD Scholarships after the deadline.

Please submit your application documents as one SINGLE PDF document. You can find a free pdf creator on the internet to merge all documents into one. 

1. Cover Letter
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Abstract
4. Research Proposal
5. Work Schedule
6. Scans of school leaving certificate, university transcripts and degree certificates
7. Short self-written statement about your knowledge of the German language
8. Statement of knowledge of social science research methods
9. Privacy Policy Agreement (for download see application materials)

Please stick to the requested ordering so that we can process your application.

Uncomplete applications will not be accepted

Yes. Two letters of recommendation should be sent to us directly by the recommenders via e-mail to admissions.bagss(at)uni-bamberg.de. These letters should arrive at our institution within the given application deadline. Please use this form for the recommendation letters. 

Please do not include the letters of recommendation in your application file.

Yes. In general, applicants are required to provide proof of English language proficiency. In most cases, if you are shortlisted, your performance during the interview will serve as evidence of your fluency in English.
 

Yes, all documents that were not issued in English or German must be translated. You may choose to have your documents translated into either English or German. The translation must be completed by a certified translator.

Applicants are expected to evaluate their research proposal and determine the pillar which fits their topic. More than one pillar can be chosen if your topic fits into several pillars.

If your topic does not fit into any of our four pillars, then you should review whether BAGSS is the right graduate school for you.

The BAGSS academic profile can be found here.

Please do NOT contact your potential supervisors directly. Rather it will suffice for the applicants to identify a potential supervisor and include the supervisor's name in the application form.

All necessary information to identify a supervisor can be found here.

A DAAD scholarship can be awarded for up to four years.

The DAAD scholarship comprises a monthly scholarship rate of 1,400 EUR, a travel allowance depending on the country of origin, a combined health, accident and liability insurance, a study and research allowance of 260 EUR/460 EUR per year as well as a rent and/or family allowance if applicable.

Generally no, there is however a small administrative fee has to be paid every semester when being enrolled; it currently amounts to 123,22 EUR and includes free public transport in Bamberg, reduced prices in campus cafeterias, and other student discounts. All further information can be found here. 

No. Successful applicants will receive a combined health, accident and liability insurance with the DAAD Scholarship.

International students arriving in Germany for the first time will be supported by the Welcome Center of the University in Bamberg. The Welcome Center will assist with finding suitable accommodation.

Scholarship holders who are interested in gaining teaching experience, can discuss - not necessarily paid - teaching oppurtunities with their supervisors.