
Scholarship success: Insights from Maximilian, an International Security Policy Scholarship recipient
Pursuing a master’s degree can be a great educational commitment in a student’s life and for most, it requires financial support. If that sounds like you, great news! The Hertie School offers full scholarships that cover 100% of tuition fees, helping students focus on their studies and professional growth. These scholarships are highly competitive and awarded based on academic excellence, motivation, and personal fit.
One noteworthy option is the International Security Policy Scholarship, designed for students interested in addressing global security challenges such as climate change, cyber-warfare, and terrorism. It is available for students applying to the Master of International Affairs (MIA) programme and two full scholarships worth €37,500 each will be awarded this year. After you’re admitted, you will have two weeks to submit a funding application, including a one-page personal statement. Lastly, you will be invited to an interview with a faculty member to discuss your application and your future goals. Make sure to review our deadlines here.
To make the process easier, we interviewed MIA scholarship recipient Maximilian von Linden, who shares tips and answers common questions to help you prepare your application.
Hertie School: Can you please introduce yourself?
Maximilian: My name is Max. I'm a first-year student of Master of International Affairs at the Hertie School and I received an International Security scholarship. Apart from my interest in security studies I’m passionate about reading and getting to know Berlin.
What made you decide to apply for the MIA program and specifically for the scholarship?
One of the reasons I applied for the MIA programme was the specialisation of International Security studies, as I finished my bachelor’s in International Relations. During my bachelor studies I had an exchange semester at the University of Aberdeen, where I focused on Global Terrorism and International Security in a broader sense. I later wrote my bachelor's thesis on the New National Security Strategy in Germany, this motivated me to further explore International Security major in Hertie School. What truly drew me to Hertie was the small, English-taught classes, and the diverse international student body.
How did you approach writing the personal statement? Do you have any tips for potential applicants?
For me, it was a very smooth process of just putting down my very basic motivation for why I want to specialise in International Security and why Hertie is the right place to do that. What helped me shape my thoughts was to write my genuine personal motivation and mission statement. So please don’t be afraid to bring in a personal touch and avoid overthinking!
How early did you start preparing for your application, and what steps did you take to ensure its strength?
I started writing the motivation letter two weeks before the last deadline. I relied on my friends to proofread my writing and cross-check my application's references. The personal statement is short, so I did my best to make it dense and concise.
How was the interview process for the scholarship? Any tips?
Don't worry! The person I interviewed with was very kind and understanding. She made me feel comfortable with the whole process and conducted the interview in a friendly fashion. In general, it was a nice conversation. The tips I can give to potential scholarship applicants are to be prepared, remember what you wrote in the statement, and explain why you want to go to Hertie. Likewise, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
If you could go back and give your pre-application self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Learn how to jot down your thoughts precisely. You can use mind maps, bullet points, or a structured outline. Lastly, I would say keep calm; you got this.
How do you manage your living expenses while studying?
I have a part-time job and a partial scholarship from an organisation to cover my living expenses. In the meantime, living in Berlin is not very costly; you can find inexpensive places to dine and meet friends for drinks. There’s always a new opening in every corner and definitely a lot of unique places to explore.
Are you ready to apply yet? Check out the Hertie School Funding Page for more information on scholarships, deadlines, and application requirements.
Author: Frishta Hashimi, Recruitment Student Assistant