New
2-04-2022

Scholarships in Germany for International Students

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.

Frequently asked questions

How can I get free scholarship in Germany ?

Furthermore, there are several scholarships available that allow international students to study in Germany for free.

  • Germany's Tuition-Free Colleges and Universities
  • DAAD Scholarship Programs 
  • DeutschlandStipendium National Scholarship Programme 
  • Scholarship Programs of German Foundations
How can I get scholarship in Germany ?
You must submit your application online. To do so, you must first create an account on the DAAD site. Select your desired scholarship programme in the scholarship database, then click the "Submit application" option. This tab is only visible while your application is still open.
Can international students study for free in Germany ?
Tuition fees for undergraduate students at all public German institutions were removed in 2014 by Germany's 16 states. This implies that domestic and international undergraduates at German public institutions can presently study for free, with just a nominal charge every semester to support administrative and other expenditures.
Is it hard to get scholarship in Germany ?
The prerequisites for a DAAD scholarship aren't overly onerous. Applicants must have finished or be in their last year of study to be eligible for DAAD support. Although there is no upper age limit, there may be a time constraint between completing your Bachelor's degree and applying for a DAAD award.
Who is eligible for DAAD scholarship ?
An IELTS (band 6) or TOEFL certificate is usually required to apply for a DAAD scholarship (minimum score 550 paper based, 213 computer based and 80 internet based). German: A DSH 2 or Test DaF 4 certificate is required for enrollment in German-taught courses.
How do you get to Deutschlandstipendium ?
Applicants must fulfil the specific standards of each school. In addition to academic accomplishment, social commitment and personal achievements, such as a student overcoming hurdles or obstacles in his or her social or familial background, are used to determine award recipients.
How much is the Deutschlandstipendium ?
Financial Assistance: For at least two semesters, the Deutschlandstipendium provides a monthly stipend of 300 euros. Half of the money comes from private sources, such as corporations, foundations, alumni, and private people. The remaining 150 euros are paid by the German federal government.
What are the requirements to study in Germany ?

The following documents are often required for enrollment:

  • Your passport, which includes a visa or an authorization to stay in the country.
  • A number of passport photographs
  • Registration form that has been completed
  • Original certificates or legally verified copies and translations of higher education
  • admission qualifications are required.
  • Admissions notice
  • Evidence of a sufficient command of the German language (or English)
  • In Germany, there is evidence of mandatory health insurance.
  • Receipt for semester tuition payment
Is studying in Germany difficult ?
German is a highly difficult language to learn, with a grammatical structure that is significantly different from English. Even worse, you can't write in German the way you speak. Writing in German has a certain cadence, which is difficult to pick up if you haven't grown up speaking the language.
Can I study in Germany without knowing German ?
Quite simply, no! You do not need to speak German to study at a German university as long as you fulfil the minimal language requirements for your selected degree programme. If you explore programmes that are taught in both English and German, however, you will have more alternatives.
How much scholarship can I get in Germany ?
The DAAD scholarship payment is 850€ per month for postgraduate students and 1,200€ per month for doctorate students. If you search the DAAD database, you will get a list of all available scholarships as well as a variety of programmes provided by various universities.
Which scholarship is easy in Germany ?
The prerequisites for a DAAD scholarship aren't too tough to satisfy. Applicants must have finished a Bachelor's degree or be in their last year of study to be eligible for DAAD funding. Although there is no upper age limit, there may be a time constraint between obtaining your Bachelor's degree and applying for a DAAD award.
How much CGPA is required for scholarship in Germany ?
In Germany, a CGPA of 7 or 70% is necessary to pursue an MS. However, if you want to attend a world-class university, you must have the highest IELTS score and a CGPA of at least 8.5.
Who is eligible for Erasmus+ grant ?
To be eligible for Erasmus, you must be enrolled in higher education, pursuing an official degree or certificate, and have finished your first year. Finally, the most significant advantage of Erasmus is that you will not be forced to pay any additional tuition fees or payments to the university you will be attending.
How do I get an Erasmus scholarship ?
Students from all around the world with a master's degree are eligible to apply. Before beginning the master's programme, you must have a bachelor's degree (first degree) or be in your last year of bachelor's studies and have graduated. You can also apply if you have a bachelor's degree or the comparable level of education.
Is tuition fee free in Germany ?
In Germany, all public higher education institutions are free, including the country's top universities! Unlike other nations that charge exorbitant tuition fees in response to strong demand from students, Germany's top-ranked institutions charge the same tuition as the rest: zero.
How much money do I need to study in Germany ?
International students are required to pay the university a fee of around 250 Euros every semester. Candidates must also pay a charge of 50 Euros to the authorities as an administrative fee. Bringing the total cost of studying in Germany to around 300 Euros (Approx.).
What is the cost of living in Germany for students ?
In Germany, students typically spend about 850 Euros per month on living expenses. You will need roughly 10,300+ Euros per year in living expenses, and over 40% of international students will seek out student homes because of the reduced monthly expenditures of around 300 EUR.
Is DAAD scholarship fully funded ?
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is one of the most prestigious scholarship programmes for international students in the world. This is a fully financed postgraduate international fellowship programme in which students will take courses relevant to sustainable development goals that will enable them make a positive difference in their society.
Do I need to learn German to study in Germany ?
German is the primary language of instruction at most German universities. All students enrolled in a German-taught programme must demonstrate a thorough understanding of the language, either by a language exam or by attending a preparatory course.