Combined Study and Practical Semester Abroad – DAAD Scholarship

The DAAD Combined Study and Practical Semester Abroad Scholarship gives eligible students at German higher education institutions the opportunity to combine university study with real professional experience in another country. Rather than funding only a traditional semester abroad, the programme supports a structured combination of academic study and a compulsory practical semester, helping students strengthen both academic and career skills internationally.

A crucial eligibility point is that this is not a general scholarship for students studying at universities anywhere in the world. Applicants normally need to be enrolled at a higher education institution in Germany, and the practical semester must be part of their degree curriculum and recognized by their home university.

How the Programme Works

The scholarship supports a combination of:

• A study semester abroad

• A compulsory practical semester abroad

Applicants may begin with either the academic or practical part, but both should normally take place in the same country.

The overall funding period is between 7 and 12 months. The study semester must normally last at least three months, while the practical semester must last at least two months.

Who Can Apply?

Students may apply if they are enrolled in:

• Bachelor’s programmes

• Master’s programmes

• Diplom programmes

• Staatsexamen programmes

• Equivalent degree courses

Bachelor’s-level applicants normally need to have reached at least the second semester or second half of their first academic year at an eligible German institution by the application deadline. Master’s students must be enrolled at a German university no later than the start of funding.

Non-German nationals may also qualify if they meet DAAD’s general scholarship eligibility conditions.

Financial Support

The scholarship includes a monthly rate determined by the destination country rather than one fixed amount for every student.

Core support includes:

• Monthly scholarship funding

• Travel allowance based on destination

• Health insurance

• Accident insurance

• Personal liability insurance

After funding begins, students may also be able to apply for additional benefits such as a tuition fee subsidy, language course support, family benefits and certain project-related travel expenses.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online through the DAAD portal.

Applicants should prepare documents such as:

• CV

• Internship placement confirmation or relevant university certificate

• Confirmation that the German home university will recognize the practical semester

• Detailed study plan

• Motivation letter

• Academic transcripts

• Previous degree records where applicable

• Language proficiency evidence

• Academic recommendation letter

The motivation letter can be up to two pages, while the study plan can be up to five pages under the current official requirements.

Check the Correct Deadline

One of the biggest mistakes would be using February 19, 2027 as a universal deadline.

DAAD sets deadlines according to the destination region. For example, the current programme page lists September 2026 deadlines for several destinations and February or March 2027 rounds for others. Students must therefore select their intended destination before relying on a deadline.

Applications generally open from June 1 and remain available until the relevant destination deadline.

How Selection Works

DAAD first reviews the submitted documents. Successful applicants from this stage can then be invited to a personal selection interview, which may take place in Bonn or virtually.

Selection considers:

• Academic performance

• Quality and preparation of the proposed stay

• Language ability

• Motivation

• Connection between the overseas experience and degree programme

• Future academic and career value

• Extracurricular or social engagement

Application Tips

Applicants should confirm that their practical semester is officially required by their degree programme before doing anything else. They should also contact the intended host university and internship provider early, because proof of the practical placement or an appropriate confirmation from the German home university is an important part of the application.

A strong application should clearly explain why the selected country, university and internship placement fit the applicant’s academic and career goals.

Common Mistakes

Students should avoid treating this as a worldwide scholarship open to anyone regardless of current university. Other common mistakes include choosing different countries for the study and practical semesters without checking the rules, submitting no proof of recognition from the German home institution, using the wrong regional deadline, failing to provide language evidence, or assuming tuition is automatically fully covered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Pakistani students apply?

Nationality alone does not determine eligibility. A Pakistani student may potentially qualify if they meet DAAD’s conditions, including the relevant requirement to be enrolled at an eligible higher education institution in Germany.

Is this scholarship fully funded?

It provides substantial funding, including a monthly scholarship, travel support and insurance. However, tuition support is an additional subsidy subject to limits rather than automatic full tuition coverage.

How long does the scholarship last?

Funding is provided for 7 to 12 months, depending on the planned study and practical semesters.

Is an internship compulsory?

Yes. The programme specifically combines academic study with a practical semester that must normally be part of the applicant’s curriculum and recognized by their German home university.

Is there one deadline?

No. Application deadlines depend on the destination country or region.

Where do students apply?

Applications are submitted online through the official DAAD portal.

Explore more funded opportunities, deadlines and updates through Scholarship on our Pehle Pakistan.