Scholarships for International Students

In addition to numerous scholarships from various funding institutions, the International Office also regularly awards scholarships to international students at HSBI. The calls for applications are usually published in the months before the start of the semester.

In 2024, HSBI’s International Office has offered the following scholarships for international students in the second half of the year*:

Commitment scholarships

3 commitment scholarships provided proportionally from internal quality improvement funds of the HSBI, from
STIBET I funds with funds from the Federal Foreign Office and from funds of the Fördergesellschaft FH Bielefeld e.V.

  • Duration: 1 September 2024–28 February 2025
  • Semester: winter semester 2024/2025
  • Amount: €934.00 per month
  • Total: €5,604.00


The scholarships are provided proportionally from internal quality improvement funds of the HSBI, from STIBET I funds with funds from the Federal Foreign Office and from funds of the Fördergesellschaft FH Bielefeld e.V. They are aimed at all international HSBI students enrolled on Bachelor's or Master's degree programmes.

The scholarships are awarded to candidates who are characterised by good performance and outstanding commitment in an international context.

According to a points system totalling 100 points, up to 70 points can be achieved through good academic performance (in comparison to the average grade of one's own degree programme). A relative grade is calculated for this, which is compared with the grade of other applicants.

Up to a further 30 points can be achieved through cultural and social commitment.

  • Social commitment of at least 1 year: 10 points
  • Multi-year or multiple commitment of 2 years: 20 points
  • Multi-year and multiple commitments of 3 years or more: 30 points

 

General requirements

  1. Foreign nationality
  2. Acquisition of the higher education entrance qualification abroad
  3. Regular enrolment at HSBI in winter semester 2024
  4. Good academic performance and cultural commitment


Application documents

  • Scholarship form including letter of motivation
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Current transcript of records (can be submitted until 25/08/2024)
  • Proof of commitment


Selection procedure
Scholarship holders are selected by a committee involving the International Office, the AStA and a representative of the Equal Opportunities Office. Applicants will be invited to a 10-minute interview on 28 August 2024. The scholarship ceremony takes place in December. Participation is mandatory for all scholarship holders.


Only complete applications will be considered. Send your application documents by 25 August 2024 to:
Hochschule Bielefeld
c/o International Office
Interaktion 1
33619 Bielefeld

or to international.office@hsbi.de

We will contact you once we have received your application.

From the DAAD’s “STIBET III – Matching Funds” programme

3 scholarships for more equal opportunities provided proportionally from internal quality improvement funds of HSBI and STIBET I funds with funds from the Federal Foreign Office

  • Duration: 1 September 2024–28 February 2025
  • Semester: winter semester 2024/2025
  • Amount: €934.00 per month
  • Total: €5,604.00


The scholarships are provided pro rata from internal HSBI quality improvement funds and STIBET I funds with funds from the Federal Foreign Office. They are aimed at all international HSBI students enrolled in Bachelor's or Master's programmes.
Master's degree programmes.

The scholarships are awarded to candidates with special challenges during their studies (e.g. special care situations for children or relatives in need of care, disability, refugee background).

After your application, you will be invited to an individual interview in which you can explain your personal situation to the selection committee. Scholarships are awarded based on the number of
of applications and after the individual support needs have been described.

General requirements

  1. Foreign nationality
  2. Acquisition of the higher education entrance qualification abroad
  3. Regular enrolment at HSBI in winter semester 2024
  4. Special stress situation during studies (due to relatives, illness, disability, flight, etc.)

 

Application documents

  • Scholarship form including
  • Letter of motivation
  • curriculum vitae
  • Description of your personal
  • situation including any supporting documents


Selection procedure
Scholarship holders are selected by a committee involving the International Office, the AStA and a representative of the Equal Opportunities Office. Applicants will be invited to a 10-minute interview on 28 August 2024. The scholarship ceremony takes place in December. Participation is mandatory for all scholarship holders.

Only complete applications will be considered. Send your application documents by 25 August 2024 to:
Hochschule Bielefeld
c/o International Office
Interaktion 1
33619 Bielefeld

or to international.office@hsbi.de


We will contact you once we have received your application.

* The awarding of the scholarships is subject to the availability of funds.

Scholarships of the German Academic Exchange Service

Please find further opportunities for scholarships in the scholarship database of the German Academic Exchange Service.

FAQ on Scholarships for International Students
What does volunteering mean?

Volunteering is a kind of work that is carried out on a voluntary basis, for the common good and without receiving a salary. It can take place in many areas – in a non-profit organisation, in an association, inside and outside the university. Examples of volunteering include:  

  • Commitment in the student council (StuRa) or student union (AStA) 
  • Active participation in the Buddy programme 
  • Homework assistance 
  • Commitment as a trainer in a sports club 
  • Providing support and translations in dealing with public authorities 
  • Commitment in social institutions 

Work as a student assistant or project work as part of your studies are not volunteering.

How do I provide proof that I have volunteered?

If you volunteer in an organisation, ask your contact person for proof. 

If you volunteer privately, please describe your activities.

My transcript is incomplete. What do I do?

If you have successfully completed courses, but they are not yet listed in your transcript, please write a brief comment stating which courses (number of ECTS, grade) this applies to.

Am I allowed to work alongside studies as a scholarship holder?

Whether you are allowed to work alongside your studies as a scholarship holder depends on the scholarship. For some scholarships, a financial necessity or a maximum income are selection criteria.

I receive BAföG. Can I apply?

As a rule, you can receive a scholarship and BAföG at the same time. In any case, please make sure to notify the BAföG office of your scholarship. The BAföG office will then check whether your BAföG rate must be reduced as a result.

I already receive another scholarship. Can I apply?

Whether you can receive two scholarships at the same time depends on the funding institution and the amount of funding for the respective scholarships.