How can you study MSc/PhD in Germany without Funding?

Fastepo.com

7 September 2020

Do you know how you can study MSc/PhD in Germany without any funding? As one of the world’s largest economies, Germany is ranked among the top three countries having the greatest number of PhD graduates in the world. With such a large and strong manufacturing sector in the country, it is not surprising to say that Germany has many universities with famous Engineering education programs that are associated with the country. For students, financing their studies is always a challenge, which is why HiWi is the perfect solution for them.

A Research Assistant job known as HIWI (pronounced heevee) is one of the best options you have if you are a Master’s or PhD student in Germany and are struggling to afford your living expenses. In German universities, HiWi is a job that allows people to work part-time (30-60 hours per month) as research assistants.

In Germany, similar to many other European countries including Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Netherlands, Ireland, Norway, and the UK, PhD students and postdocs are employed by the universities on a fixed-term contract.

What is HIWI?

HIWI stands for Hilfswissenschaftler (research assistant or student assistant).

Who can work as a HIWI in Germany?

Students from the European Union are permitted to work a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time. Students from other EU member states are allowed to earn 120 full days or 240 half days each year in Germany. In other words, international students are allowed to work 2.5 full days each week during the semester. I would like to point out that a full day is defined as 8 hours a day, which is equal to 40 hours a week. In order to be considered for a HIWI position at a German university, all candidates are encouraged to apply. HiWi can be funded in two different ways based on the nature of the project. HiWi projects can either be funded by a professor’s research project or by an institution’s grant-funded project.

How can you find a HIWI position in Germany?

An open HIWI position can generally be found in Germany by searching through a job board. It is possible to search for HIWI positions in two different ways. Current HIWI positions at some universities can be found on the notice board of the university or on the department chair’s website if the university has one. In addition, you can directly contact the professors of the institute/department by sending them an official email.

How much can you earn as a HIWI student?

HIWI’s salary ranges from 10 to 14 euros per hour during the week and semester, plus an additional supplement on Sundays and public holidays. As HIWI students, students can generally spend between 20 and 60 hours per week. You cannot work outside the university if you have a HiWi contract. As long as your visa does not exceed the working limit of your visa, you can work on HiWi and other jobs.

How long is the HiWi contract?

There is no limit or cap on the length of a contract, which can be from 15 days to a year. Generally, the length is determined by the host professor, based on the funding period.

Scholarships

Scholarships are also a possible source of financial support. You can find prestigious scholarship programs at different countries in the Scholarships section of Fastepo.

Scholarships and Awards in Europe: