Hanseatic Scholarships
The Hanseatic Scholarships are open to members of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, to promote closer Anglo-German links within a European context.
If you are applying for a Hanseatic Scholarship, with plans to do a Master's degree in Germany, your application will also be considered for a 'You and Europe' Scholarship.
Award information
The scholarships, which were established by the Hamburg-based Alfred Toepfer Stiftung FVS to reciprocate the Rhodes Scholarships to the University of Oxford from Germany, may be held at any academic institution in Germany, and are tenable for one or two years.
The successful candidates must undertake research at doctoral or postdoctoral level; give evidence of a workable project not connected to a research degree; or obtain a German degree.
Award details
| Duration: | One or two years (initial awards are made for only one year however award holders can apply to extend for a second year) |
| Value: | The current value of the scholarship is approximately €15,000 per annum, although travel expenses will also be covered |
| Number: | Up to 3 awards |
Eligibility
| Nationality: | All nationalities, however preference will be given to those who have not already undertaken an extended period of schooling or education in a German-speaking country |
| Fee status: | All |
| Level of study: | Graduate and undergraduate (final year) |
| Year of study: | Graduates of all years, undergraduates in their final year of study |
| Subject: | All subjects |
| College: | All colleges |
| Other criteria: | The scholarship is open to members of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Candidates will normally be expected to show a reasonable proficiency in the use of the German language, but further funding may be available to candidates who do not have a good knowledge of German to enable them to attend a language course in Germany at the beginning of their stay. Candidates' proposed programmes of study or research must be such that they can best be carried out at a German university or institution of higher learning. Successful candidates will be those whose studies and personal development have most to gain from a period of study in Germany. Preference will be given to those who have not already undertaken an extended period of schooling or education in a German-speaking country Applicants are required to contact a possible supervisor at the host institution/university before submitting their application (applicants will be required to evidence this). |
Other information
The scholarship is not tenable concurrently with any other travelling award, and it should be noted that the scholarship does not include payment of any University of Oxford or Cambridge fees for which the scholar may be liable whilst in Germany. Candidates who hold UK Research Council studentships may however apply for suspension of their awards and suspension of status to enable them to take up the scholarship if selected.
It is the scholar's responsibility to clarify any visa questions on their own. The Alfred Toepfer Stiftung F.V.S. provides all the necessary documents for this.
Interviews for short-listed candidates will take place on Monday, week 9 of Hilary Term. Applications from candidates who are unable to attend an interview on this date cannot be accepted.
Candidates will be assessed according to the following criteria:
- the excellence of their academic career and performance to date (in the case of current undergraduates one would normally expect a predicted 1st class degree)
- the coherence, interest and feasibility of their project or proposed programme of study and their qualifications for that programme; and, for candidates embarked on a research degree, their likely contribution to the subject
- the value of a stay at a German university for their career plans and/or research project.
How to apply
- The application cycle for travel in the 2025/26 academic year is now open.
- Applications should be submitted using the online application form. Oxford students should submit this online application form, Cambridge students should submit this online application form. You can refer to the following PDF's of the application forms, Oxford students PDF - Cambridge students pdf, to note what questions/supporting documentation you will be asked to answer/submit via the online application form.
- The application deadline is midday on Friday 31 January 2025.
- Interviews for short-listed candidates will take place on Monday 17 March 2025. Applications from candidates who are unable to attend an interview on this date cannot be accepted.
- Candidates will be notified of the outcome of their application by the end of March 2025.
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