Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (Master’s Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance) in Germany

Objectives of the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme

The aim of the programme is to further qualify future leaders from the areas of politics, law, business and administration based on the principles of good governance, and to prepare them for their future professional activities in a practice-oriented manner. Highly qualified graduates who have obtained a first higher education degree are offered the opportunity to obtain a master’s degree in subjects that are particularly significant with regard to social, political and economic development in their countries of origin.

The skills and experiences gained in Germany will enable the funded individuals to contribute to establishing economic and social forms that are democratically-oriented and designed to overcome social inequalities in their home countries. With the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme, the DAAD strives to contribute to promoting good governance and civil society structures in developing and emerging countries.

M.A. Governance and Public Policy


As one of only eight institutions of higher learning in Germany, the University of Passau and its study programme in Governance and Public Policy (M.A.) has been a proud member of the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme network since 2010.
The study programme Governance and Public Policy (M.A.) has a two-year-curriculum. In their first term, students will get acquainted with the foundations of governance research as well as with the basics of statehood and Good Governance in order to provide a theoretical framework in which the following interdisciplinary classes are embedded. In these Master classes, students will focus on topics from areas of Comparative Politics/Public Policy, Global Governance, European Integration, Recent European History, European and International Law as well as Political Institutions and Social Transformation. This curriculum is complemented by various classes to enhance the students’ occupational skills, e. g. courses on methods in the social sciences, presentation techniques, and paper writing.

Although, the M.A. Governance and Public Policy is officially announced as a bilingual programme, Helmut-Schmidt-Programme scholarship holders are given the opportunity to study the whole scheme in the English language.

Study Programme

  • Preceding German language course in Germany (or digitally in the country of origin, depending on the latest pandemic regulations), usually lasting 6 months (April to September)
  • 2 years master programme in Governance and Public Policy
  • Additional support by the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme team and extracurricular activities

Benefits

  • Monthly scholarship rate of 931€
  • Health insurance cover in Germany
  • Appropriate travel allowances 
  • A study and research grant

Official website

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