Best of South-East is a scholarship scheme in collaboration with and funded by Steiermärkische Sparkasse aimed on excellent students from South-Eastern Europe. Its main objective is to offer a combination of academic and job training aiming at easier entry into professional life. The program includes
- one-year scholarship of up to 12.000 Euros
- enrollment at the University of Graz
- in combination with a traineeship OR internship at Steiermärkische Sparkasse
Call 2025.2026
- October 1, 2024 = application period opens
- by December 2, 2024 = contact us for access to the application tool ➜ instructions
- December 5, 2024, 1 pm CET = Application deadline
- call is subject to the final decision by the relevant committees
Info session (online, in English)
- session link: https://unimeet.uni-graz.at/b/gra-c29-vdh
- Date + Time = tba
Contact person for the application:
International office
Mag. Christa Grassauer
Universitätsplatz 3, 8010 Graz
Telefon:+43 316 380 - 1254
E-Mail: incoming.exchange(at)uni-graz.at
Contact person at Steiermärkische Sparkasse:
Anja Schausberger, MBA
Telefon:+43 5 0100 - 35528
E-Mail: anja.schausberger(at)steiermaerkische.at
How do I get access to the online application tool?
Follow the instructions under Application Process - Step 1: Activate Online Application.
Which documents do I have to hand in?
Which courses can I attend at the University of Graz?
Which courses you attend depends on your degree, your level of study, your interests and availability.
Do I have to hand in the documents by the application deadline?
Yes, you must have completed your data and have uploaded all documents in the online application by the last day of the application deadline at the latest. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Do I have to send my application documents by post?
No, it is not necessary to send documents by post. You should have completed the data entry and uploaded all documents in the online application by the last day of the application deadline at the latest.
What is the duration of the programme?
Both options (internship and trainee program) last exactly 12 months (September - August of the following year). Shorter stays are NOT possible.
What is the difference between the trainee and internship programme?
The internship programme focuses on studying: You attend courses at the University of Graz for 1 year and do a 2-month internship at the bank during the summer months.
In the trainee programme, the focus lies on practical experience: You will get practical insights into working at the bank for a year and at the same time complete some courses at the University of Graz.
I finish my bachelors's degree after the application deadline - can I apply for the trainee programme?
If you are in a 4-years bachelor's programme and you are in the fourth year at the time of application, you can apply for the trainee programme - provided you can prove level B1 in German. You can also apply for the internship programme.
Will I get a degree from the University of Graz at the end of my stay?
Candidates selected for the programme who are not enrolled for a study programme at the University of Graz will be enrolled as exchange students for the duration of one academic year at the University of Graz. At the end of your stay you will receive a transcript of all courses you have completed and a confirmation of the Best of South-East programme. However, you will not receive a degree from the University of Graz!
Candidates selected for the programme that are enrolled for a study programme at the University of Graz will continue their studies during their Best of South-East scholarship year.