Germany is known across the globe for its practical degrees, world-class infrastructure, high-quality education, and tuition-free study programmes. More than 350,000 foreign students study in Germany each year due to affordability and a tuition price that is nearly non-existent. Tuition-free undergraduate education is the norm, whereas fee-based master's and doctoral degrees are the exception. Germany's monthly living costs are slightly higher than the rest of Europe, at roughly 800 Euros. For many students, covering these expenditures is a big issue.
In Germany, however, there are several financial assistance opportunities for both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) supports approximately 100,000 German and foreign students and researchers each year, making it the largest financial institution of its type in the world.
International Students can apply for government scholarships in Germany.
In Germany, students can apply for a variety of merit-based scholarships and need-based grants. The government and private organisations provide the majority of scholarships for overseas students applying to German institutions.
The size of a grant is frequently determined by assessing the student's demands as well as the family's financial position. It normally costs between 147 and 807 euros each month for a period of 12 months.
DAAD Scholarships: The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers several scholarships to international students wishing to study in Germany at various levels.
Erasmus+: is the largest giver of scholarships in the EU, and it is led by the European Commission. It provides financial assistance to overseas students who wish to study in Europe. In Germany, a student receives an average monthly subsidy of 270 Euros.
Scholarships for International Students in Germany from Non-Governmental Organisations
Scholarship |
Details |
Amount Granted (Euro) |
Einstein International Postdoctoral Fellowship |
The Einstein Foundation is funding postdoctoral research at a Berlin college. |
20,000 for a year |
Humboldt Research Fellowships for Postdoctoral Researchers |
Postdoctoral fellowships for researchers and academics of any discipline and identity |
2670 per month |
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Scholarships |
International students under the age of 30 can apply for monthly master's and doctoral funding. |
Masters-850 PhD-1,200 per month |
Kurt Hansen Science Scholarships |
The Bayer Foundation offers science scholarships to study in Germany. |
18,611 for a year |
Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) |
International students can apply for postdoctoral exploration grants. |
15,000 for a year |
Mawista Scholarship |
Scholarships for people who want to study abroad while caring for a child. |
500 per month |
Germany's Best Grants & Scholarships
Deutschland National Stipendium Scholarship Program (Germany Scholarship Program)
- The Deutschland Stipendium National Scholarship Program offers financial help to deserving students all around the world.
- More than 22,500 students are supported.
- Personal or parental income, as well as nationality, are not factors.
- At least two semesters are granted.
- It's also possible to expand it to span the regular study term.
- Valid at all German universities that participate.
- Monthly cost: around EUR 300
DAAD Scholarship Programs
- International students can apply for 215 scholarships and financing options from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to study in Germany at various levels.
- More than 100,000 German and foreign students, as well as researchers, benefit from this programme.
- Awarded to people who require financial support in Germany for their studies, research, or teaching duties.
- Its database has a list of all the scholarships that have been awarded.
- Scholarships for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) - The most sought-after scholarship programme among students from poor nations.
- Scholarships in Public Policy and Good Governance from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) are very popular.
DAAD Scholarships |
Who Can Apply? |
Monthly Amount Granted (Euro) |
Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) |
Graduates with at least two years of professional experience and strong academic achievements. |
750 (graduates) 1,000 per month (doctoral candidates) |
RISE Germany (Research Internships in Science and Engineering) |
Undergraduates in science and engineering who have completed at least two years of education. |
750 |
Graduate School Scholarship Programme (GSSP) |
For new graduates interested in pursuing a PhD in Germany at a structured graduate school. |
1,200 |
Helmut-Schmidt-Programme |
Future leaders from poor nations are supported. |
850 |
Germany offers research fellowships.
- Scholarships are awarded by a number of German political and religious institutions to overseas students with a wide range of backgrounds and qualifications.
- Scholarships from the Heinrich Boll Foundation - A German political foundation offers these scholarships.
- Scholarships offered by a German religious institution, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and KAAD Scholarships.
Scholarship |
Who Can Apply? |
Monthly Amount Granted (Euro) |
Heinrich Boll Scholarships in Germany |
International students with a university entry certificate from a country other than Germany who seek to study a Masters or Ph.D. in Germany. |
850 (Masters studies) 1,000 per month (Ph.D. studies) |
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships in Germany |
International doctoral candidates who have finished their studies in their native country and wish to enrol in a master's or doctoral programme at a German institution. |
1,100 |
KAAD Scholarships in Germany |
Students who want to pursue postgraduate study or research in Germany should stay in Germany. |
Not specified |
Scholarship Application Requirements in Germany
- There is no set age restriction.
- If you have not completed your university degree by the application deadlines for Germany universities, you can apply in your last academic year.
- Applicants with foreign citizenship may be eligible for financing schemes designed for Germans in specific instances.
- Only full-time students are eligible.
- When applying for a scholarship, you may be asked to submit language credentials.
The Scholarship Application Process in Germany
- Begin the application process a year before the intake date.
- Apply for government-funded scholarships at DAAD.de, for the Germany Scholarship Program at deutschlandstipendium.de, and for the Germany Foundations' Scholarship Programs at kaad.de or kas.de.
- Examine the specifics of the scholarships. Scholarship dates differ depending on the academic institution.
- With the completed application, include a letter of motivation, a letter of recommendation from a university professor, and any other required documentation.
- Your application must be submitted in either German or English.
Note: Documents written in a language other than German or English must be translated into those languages.
Programs in Germany that allow you to work while you study
- Part-time employment in Germany are an excellent option to supplement your income.
- Most colleges enable students to work and study at the same time.
- International students are permitted to work for 120 full days or 240 half days during their stay in the United States.
- A student can make anywhere from EUR 5 to EUR 15 per hour, or around EUR 450 per month.
- EUR 8,354 in tax-free one-year earnings without social security issuing
Germany Internships for International Students
- In Germany, the majority of internships are compensated.
- Even though they are unpaid, they are considered regular work.
- If you've previously worked 90 days in a year and wish to perform an internship, you must apply at the Federal Employment Agency or the Alien Registration Office.
- If an internship is part of your programme, the 90-day restriction does not apply.
- Internships that are required by law do not require approval.
- A student can earn up to 856 Euros per month as a part-time worker.
- An internship might be found at a university or a corporation.
- Internships can be found on the websites of your university's internship office, the International Office, and the International Student Organisation.
Internships can be found through large student organisations.
- The International Association of Students in Economic and Commercial Sciences (AISEC) is a non-profit organisation that promotes economic and commercial studies among students across the world.
- International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (ELSA) is a European Law Students' Association (ELSA) (IAESTE)
Students might also apply for internships at institutions or organisations.