SBW Berlin Scholarship for International Students

About this scholarship

The SBW Berlin Scholarship for International Students supports talented international students who have a commitment to or previous experience in the social or non-profit sector and wish to pursue a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree at a university or university of applied sciences in Berlin or Potsdam. Scholarship recipients are expected to develop and implement a social project in cooperation with a social or non-profit organization in their home country during and after their studies. Applications are accepted all year round, and there is no application fee.

Funding type

The scholarship provides the following during the funding period: Accommodation: A furnished room in a shared student apartment provided by SBW Berlin in Berlin. Living allowance: Currently €480 per month. Tuition fees: Covered. Travel: May include a contribution toward travel costs to Berlin at the beginning of the studies and return travel after completing the studies. The maximum stated amount is €500 for travel within Europe and €1,000 for travel outside Europe. Health insurance: Not listed among the scholarship benefits. The scholarship does not cover studies in other German states and does not extend beyond the regular duration of the study program. The costs of language courses or preparatory programs are generally not covered.

Tuition fees

Covered

Living costs

Covered

Travel

Partially covered

Insurance

Not specified

Eligibility requirements

Nationalities

Not specified

Residence condition

Residence not mentioned

Age: Between 18 and 30 years old at the time of application. Residence: Applicants must not have lived in Germany for more than 18 months before applying. Academic performance: Applicants must hold a university entrance qualification with a grade equivalent to at least 2.0 in the German grading system (80% or higher). Financial need: The total household income must not be higher than the official average income in the home country. Social engagement: Applicants must have previous experience in voluntary, social, or humanitarian work. Return requirement: Applicants are expected to return to their home country after graduation for at least 18 months to implement the social project. If this requirement is not fulfilled, the scholarship may be converted into a loan that must be repaid. Family: No first-degree family members living permanently in Germany. Timing: Apply before your studies start, in your first to third semester, or shortly before or after your bachelor's if you apply for a master's. Other scholarships: You cannot apply if your studies in Germany are already funded by another scholarship. Visa: A student visa for Germany or a residence permit for study.

Minimum grade

80% or the same in another scale

Work experience asked for

Not stated

Return condition

Return home after the award

How to apply

Straight to the provider

Language requirements and exemptions

Language test not mentioned

Applicants are required to provide an internationally recognized language certificate for the language in which their study program will be taught. If you do not have it when you apply, you can submit it later, at the latest during the document verification stage.

University admission details

Required later?

The scholarship does not automatically provide university admission. Applicants must apply independently to a university or university of applied sciences in Berlin or Potsdam and obtain admission themselves. Applicants may apply for the scholarship before receiving final university admission, using proof of their university application. However, the scholarship will not be disbursed until the official admission and enrollment documents have been provided.

Required documents

At the initial stage, the main required documents include: A recommendation letter from a non-profit or social organization in the applicant's home country. The SBW application form after receiving the application link. A description of the social project, between two and five pages. University entrance qualification. Information about the family's net income. The latest school or university certificate showing the grades and transcript. The highest academic qualification and transcript. If available, applicants may also provide: Admission to a university or university of applied sciences in Berlin or Potsdam. An internationally recognized language certificate. Previous university certificates and transcripts. Employment, internship, practical training, and reference certificates.

Application steps

Initial recommendation letter: The development, charitable, or non-profit organization with which you have volunteered in your home country sends an official recommendation letter directly to the scholarship email address ([email protected]) on your behalf. Application form: If the initial recommendation letter is accepted, you will receive the electronic application form by email. You then complete the form and upload the required documents listed above. Personal interview: If your application is shortlisted, you will participate in an official online interview focusing on your motivation and social project plan.

Requirement checklist

Scholarship contacts

E-mail: [email protected]Copy