Selection Criteria

The selection criteria for the Deutschlandstipendium can be divided up into two areas:

Academic achievement at the secondary or tertiary level
Other selection criteria, including community service, success in overcoming unfavorable life circumstances, and previous vocational training or work experience

Academic Achievement at the Secondary or Tertiary Level

Applicants for a Deutschlandstipendium must possess outstanding academic qualifications.

The prerequisites for applying differ depending on your field of study:

Application for a Deutschlandstipendium for students with a major field at the Faculty of Engineering: Average grade of 1.5 or better (also for students applying with the German school-leaving certificate "Abitur")
Application for a Deutschlandstipendium for students with a major field at the Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources: Average grade of 1.5 or better (also for students applying with the German school-leaving certificate "Abitur")
Application for a Deutschlandstipendium for students with a major field at the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy or at the Frankreich-Zentrum: Already matriculated students must submit a certificate from the examination office confirming that they belong to the top 10% of their class (to apply with the German school-leaving certificate "Abitur," you must have an average grade of at least 1.3).
Application for a Deutschlandstipendium for students of the degree program in Law: 9 points or better for already matriculated students (to apply with the German school-leaving certificate "Abitur," you must have an average grade of at least 1.3).
Application for a Deutschlandstipendium for students with major fields at all other faculties: Average grade of 1.3 or better
Students of the Medicine degree programme
If you are in the following semester at the time of application (i.e., winter semester):

First pre-clinical semester Application with university entrance qualification (average grade 1.3 or better).
2-4 pre-clinical semesters: a performance overview of the pre-clinical study section and the Abitur certificate (overall grade point average of both certificates 1.3 or better).
Applicants in the 1st clinical semester: Physikum (average grade 1.3 or better).
Higher clinical semesters: a grade overview clinical study section (average grade with 1.3 or better)

Your average grade is composed of the unweighted average of all grades included on your transcript when you submit your application. If you have already completed an undergraduate degree but have not yet begun a master’s program, please apply with the grade you received for your undergraduate degree. If you have finished secondary school but have not yet studied, please apply with the grade on your higher education entrance qualification. If you are studying in a degree program in which it is not possible to calculate an average grade at all points in your course of study, please apply with your average grade/final grade on the last examination or degree you completed. This may be either your higher education entrance qualification, the preliminary medical examination/intermediate examination, or the final grade you received for your last degree (e.g., bachelor).

Other selection criteria, including community service, success in overcoming unfavorable life circumstances, and previous vocational training or work experience

Criterion	Evidence
Prizes and distinctions awarded by official institutions on the international or national level Recognized (examples): Official national Abitur prizes: e.g., Scheffel Prize, Ferry Porsche Prize, Appollinaire Prize, Prize of the German Physical Society, Rotary Club Prize, etc. Competitions on the national level: e.g., German Youth Music or Research Competition, etc. The decision on the approval of honors and prizes awarded by the University of Freiburg is made by the selection committee. Not recognized (examples): Language certificates: TOEFL, DaF, DELF/DALF, etc. Study or work abroad Participation in seminars and conferences: e.g., simulation games Prizes from schools and associations: e.g., school prizes not awarded by official institutions, activity as a mentor or supervisor for an association, etc.	Copy of certificate(s)
Previous paid employment (at least one year) or training (at least one year) with a vocational objective (at least 19 hours per week). Part-time work to earn a living is not recognized Recognized (examples): At least one year of vocational training, confirmed by a training contract At least one year of employment, confirmed by an employment contract/reference letter Not recognized (examples): Part-time jobs of all kinds: e.g., at a restaurant (pizzeria, McDonalds, etc.) Part-time job as an academic assistant Part-time job as a teaching assistant	Copy of reference letter from employer/vocational training certificate
Internships (total duration of all internships must be at least six months). Internships that are a required part of a degree program are not recognized Recognized (examples): Internships that are not a required part of a degree program and thus provide “additional” experience Not recognized (examples): E.g., laboratory internships, practical courses or orientation courses for a degree program, practical semesters, etc.	Copy of certificate(s)
Voluntary commitment (active participation in: Associations or clubs, religious communities, political involvement, social involvement). Recognition of this criterion requires confirmation of active involvement (pure membership is not recognized) with a duration of at least 6 months. No recognition for paid activities or activities for private individuals.	Certificate of the respective institution.
Freiwilligendienst (Federal Volunteer Service, Voluntary Social or Ecological Year, Service Abroad, Military Service, European Voluntary Service) min. 6 months	Copy of the certificate of service, certificate of the respective institution
Involvement at the University of Freiburg (for at least one semester) Recognized (examples): political, cultural, and social involvement at the University of Freiburg aka Film Club, departmental student committees, committee work, exchange organizations, mentoring programs, etc. Not recognized (examples): part-time job as academic assistant	Certificate describing involvement
Disability/Chronic illness	Copy of identity card for severely disabled persons, certificate from pension office
Raising of own children	Copy of birth certificate(s)
Raising of own children, especially as single parent	Copy of birth certificate(s)
Care for close relatives in need of care	Certificate from your nursing insurance provider or the Medical Service of the Statutory Health Insurance Agencies (MTK)
Work in family business (with details on monthly working hours)	Explanation and written confirmation from parents
Current (at time of application) part-time employment at least 3 months of employment must be available by 31.03./start of funding (the period of the entire last academic year is taken into account) Proof: current employer's reference, current confirmation of employment and/or employment contract. In the case of contracts concluded before 2022, a current confirmation from the employment office must be submitted. In the case of self-employment or freelance work, please submit proof of the income you have earned from this.	Reference letter from employer or employment contract If you are self-employed, please submit evidence of your income from this activity.
Child of parents without academic qualifications	Copy of diploma from highest educational qualification earned by parents
Orphan or half-orphan	Copy of death certificate(s)
Immigrant background	Evidence of an immigrant background in accordance with §6, Clause 2 of the MigEV (Migrationshintergrund-Erhebungsverordnung) in the form of a check mark on the online application (student verifies immigrant status when submitting application)