Financing Your Studies

The Application Deadline for Winter Semester is 14.09.2025

Call for applications for graduation grants from the DAAD scholarship and support program for international students and doctoral candidates via Bochum University of Applied Sciences.

The DAAD Graduation Grant is designed to enable international students with good academic records, who are in need through no fault of their own, to focus on their studies and complete their upcoming degree by providing financial support.

Who can apply?

International students who:

• Obtained their university entrance qualification abroad ("Bildungsausländer/-innen")
• Do not hold German citizenship
• Do not have EU citizenship (non-EU nationals)
• Are regularly enrolled at Bochum University of Applied Sciences (exchange students are not eligible)
• Are expected to successfully complete their studies by 31.12.2025

Selection Criteria

• Academic progress (number of remaining credits/requirements)
• Final phase of studies in winter semester 2025/26
• Financial need

Note: Other scholarships and/or income from employment will be taken into account when determining the amount of the scholarship.

Application Documents / Selection Procedure

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Motivation letter (including information about past study financing and expected date of submission of the final thesis)
• Application form
• Statement from the examination office (by email) confirming that graduation is expected by 31.12.2025
• Current transcript of records
• Proof of financial situation

The selection of scholarship recipients is based on the application documents and made by a selection committee consisting of representatives from the International Office, the professorial staff of Bochum University of Applied Sciences, and the faculties.

Application Deadline: September 14, 2025

Please send your complete applicationas a single PDF document via email by the deadline to daad-foerderung(at)hs-bochum.de

Incomplete applications cannot be considered.

Contact person for questions regarding the application: 

Katharina Töws, International Office, Room C0-16, daad-foerderung(at)hs-bochum.de, phone +49 234 32 10620

The Application Deadline for Winter Semester is 05.10.2025

Each year, the DAAD Prize is awarded for outstanding achievements by international students.

International students at Bochum University of Applied Sciences who meet the requirements listed below can be nominated for the DAAD Prize by university lecturers. The prize is endowed with €1,000 and can only be awarded to one person. With this prize, the DAAD honors international students for their excellent achievements.

The following requirements must be met:

• Good to very good academic performance
• Social or intercultural engagement
• Foreign citizenship
• University entrance qualification obtained abroad
• Enrolled in a regular degree program at Bochum University of Applied Sciences (not an exchange student)
• At least in the 3rd semester of a bachelor's program or 2nd semester of a master's program or a doctoral candidate in the winter semester 2025/26

Applicants must submit the following documents to the International Office of Bochum University of Applied Sciences by October 5, 2025:

• Application form
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Current academic transcript
• Letter of recommendation (e.g. from a university lecturer, volunteer supervisor, etc. / NOT from an employer)
• Motivation letter with a detailed description of the social/intercultural engagement

• Proof of engagement/volunteer work

   

Contact person for questions regarding the application and the DAAD Prize: 

Katharina Töws, International Office, Room C0-16, daad-foerderung(at)hs-bochum.de, +49 234 32 10620

Scholarship allocation for the 2025 annual scholarship has been completed.

A new application round for the 2026 scholarship is expected to begin in October.

The scholarship for more equal opportunities is a DAAD scholarship and supports an international student for 12 months. The funding period begins on January 1, 2026, and ends on December 31, 2026.

Who can apply?

International students who:

• Obtained their university entrance qualification abroad ("Bildungsausländer/-innen")
• Do not hold German citizenship
• Do not hold EU citizenship (non-EU nationals)
• Are regularly enrolled at Bochum University of Applied Sciences
  (exchange students are not eligible)
• Face special challenges, such as:
  • Students with a refugee background
  • Students with children
  • Students caring for a family member
  • Students with a degree of disability

Selection Criteria

• Financial hardship
• Enrollment during the funding period (01.01.2026 – 31.12.2026)
  (Graduation no earlier than winter semester 2026/27)
• Proof of the special challenges mentioned in the call for applications:
  Official documents such as a disability ID, medical certificate, child's birth certificate, care certificate, etc.
  Unnecessary personal information may be redacted. The type of proof can be chosen freely but should clearly explain the situation.

Note: Other scholarships and/or income from employment will be considered when determining the amount of the scholarship.

Application Documents / Selection Procedure

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Motivation letter (explaining the special challenge and its impact on your studies)
• Application form
• Proof of the challenge (if applicable)
• Current certificate of enrollment
• Transcript of Records
• Statement from the Examination Office on the expected graduation

The selection of scholarship recipients is based on the application documents and carried out by a selection committee consisting of representatives from the International Office, the Office of Student Affairs, and the faculties.

Please send your complete applicationas one PDF file by email within the specified deadline to daad-foerderung(at)hs-bochum.de

Incomplete applications cannot be considered.

Contact person for questions regarding the application: 

Katharina Töws, International Office, Room C0-16, daad-foerderung(at)hs-bochum.de, +49 234 32 10620

The Hilde Domin Programme "Students at Risk" is aimed at students/doctoral candidates who are in danger in their countries of origin and are unable to carry out or continue their studies/research locally. The aim of this program is to enable these students/promoters to complete their studies/doctorate at a German university under safe conditions.

Are you in a financial emergency or do you have other social problems? Then write an email to the social department at the AStA (Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss). The social referees study at the BO themselves and are happy to help you. The AStA also has a foreigner aid fund for emergencies. 

Welcome Scholarship Program for Refugees

• Certificate of enrollment
• German language proficiency at C1 level
• Recognition as a refugee in Germany
• Study place in a bachelor’s program in the 1st or at most 2nd semester

Application deadline for the winter semester: 01.09.

hochform Scholarship Program for Refugee Master’s Students and Students from Developing Countries

• Certificate of enrollment
• German language proficiency at C1 level
• Refugee status and/or coming from a developing country
• Study place in a master’s program in the STEM* field at a German university in the 1st semester (max. 2nd semester in Winter Semester 2024/25)

Application deadline for the winter semester: 01.09.

Scholarship for Refugees

• Certificate of enrollment
• German language proficiency at C1 level
• Recognition as a refugee in Germany
• Study place in a bachelor’s program in the 1st or at most 3rd semester

Application periods:

• 01.10. – 15.01. (midnight)
• 01.04. – 15.07. (midnight)

Basic Funding for Foreign Students

The FES supports international applicants who are already studying or pursuing a doctorate in Germany—at a public or state-recognized university or university of applied sciences. Applicants are expected to have above-average school and academic grades. Commitment to the values of social democracy is also required.