Objective
In co-operation with the universities of Duisburg-Essen, Freiburg, Leipzig and the IIK Duesseldorf, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarships to participate in a "Deutschlandkundlicher Winterkurs" lasting six weeks in January and February. The program is designed for bachelor, master and PhD students with a sound knowledge of German (at least at level B2) and some background in German Studies who are interested in improving their language skills and understanding of contemporary affairs affairs and aiming for further (p/g) studies in Germany.
The course applies to all Australian and New Zealand bachelor, master and PhD students except graduates involved in German and German faculty courses. All lectures at the “Deutschlandkundlicher Winterkurs” are held in German. Upon arrival participants take a written placement test in German, and are divided into groups of 10-15 participants for language instruction accordingly. The programme includes a course of five weeks (German language course, German literature and Modern Cultural Studies of Germany) and one week for a free, mandatory study trip (e.g. Bonn/ Berlin/ Weimar).
Participants are expected to attend all scheduled classes and activities regularly, and to invest a significant amount of time in homework and class preparation. The course will also include city tours and excursions, as well as visits to museums and other cultural institutions. Students participating in the program are required to take a final examination and receive a certificate upon successful completion of all course requirements. Any questions regarding credit transfer should be directed towards the student’s home institution.

Value
Participation in the winter course is limited to DAAD-scholarship holders from Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa and Namibia. The DAAD scholarship covers a tuition fee allowance of EUR 750 (ca. AUD 1100), a travel allowance of EUR 550 (ca. AUD 800) and EUR 975 (ca. AUD 1400) for living expenses. The amount will be transferred directly to the German home university and is to be paid out to the participants in two to three instalments. In addition, participants should plan EUR 250 to EUR 300 (about AUD 400) of their own funds for additional expenses. Students must arrange and pay for the transportation to and from the airport to the respective city. Health insurance will be provided by the DAAD.

Requirements
Applicants must

• be holders of an Australian or New Zealand passport
• be at least 19 years of age by beginning of the course
• be currently inscribed at a University in Australia or New Zealand
• be at least in their second year of university education at the time of application
• be excellently-qualified bachelor, master or PhD students in any field
• have completed at least two years of college-level German by the beginning of the Winterkurs and
• have reached the European language proficiency levels of B2 or C1.

Please note: Applicants studying for a Bachelor degree may apply provided they are planning to study for a Master's in Germany after finishing their Bachelor degree or where equivalent reasons for receiving a scholarship are given. Such a reason could be e.g. the preparation of a thesis during the applicant's Honours year.

Application papers
Application forms and further information are available in our Application Pack. Please make sure that you have downloaded the current application pack which is usually available from June onwards. If you find that you have downloaded an old form, please check back a few days later or contact us on the below email address.

Application address and deadlines
Please submit applications (1 original and 1 copy) for stays in January and February of the following year by 15 August to the DAAD Information Centre in Sydney. You will hear about the outcome around mid-October.

Dr. Andreas Jaeger
Director of the DAAD Information Centre
c/o Goethe-Institut Sydney
90 Ocean Street, Woollahra, NSW 2025, Australia
t (+61-2) 8356 8345 (usually Tuesdays and Thursdays)
f (+61-2) 8356 8314
e daad.australia@gmail.com

Late or incomplete applications cannot be considered; applications for "special consideration" cannot be accepted, sorry.