DAAD Scholarship
🇩🇪 Germany
Masters
- Monthly stipend (€934 for master's, €1,300 for PhD)
- Health insurance subsidy
- Travel allowance
Deadline: October 15 (varies by programme)
🇩🇪
Europe
Scholarships in Germany for International Students
2 verified scholarships · 2 fully funded · Including DAAD Scholarship, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship
Germany is a top study destination renowned for its centuries-old academic traditions, affordable tuition programs, and rich cultural diversity. We've compiled 2 scholarship opportunities — including 2 fully funded programs — to help international students fund their education in Germany in 2026.
2
Total Scholarships
2
Fully Funded
1
Degree Levels
2
Open to All Nations
All Scholarships in Germany
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship
🇩🇪 Germany
Masters
- Monthly stipend (€934 for master's)
- Study allowance (€300/month)
- Health insurance subsidy
Deadline: July 15 (for winter semester)
Why Study in Germany?
Germany is unique among major destinations: public universities charge no tuition fees to international students at the undergraduate or Master's level, regardless of nationality. With over 1,800 English-taught Master's programmes, the country has become a flagship destination for STEM, engineering, and business students who want world-class education without the price tag. Germany's industrial economy creates abundant career opportunities post-graduation, and the 18-month job-seeker visa for graduates makes the path from study to skilled work permit one of the most navigable in Europe.
Top Universities in Germany for International Students
These universities anchor the country's scholarship pipeline and are routinely the destination institutions for the funded programmes listed above.
Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Munich
Engineering, computer science, automotive
Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU)
Munich
Medicine, life sciences, humanities
Heidelberg University
Heidelberg
Medicine, physics, oldest university in Germany
Humboldt University
Berlin
Social sciences, philosophy, history
RWTH Aachen
Aachen
Engineering, materials science, industrial automation
Free University of Berlin
Berlin
Political science, area studies, biology
University of Freiburg
Freiburg
Environmental science, microsystems engineering
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
Karlsruhe
Mechanical engineering, nuclear physics, AI
Tuition and Cost of Living in Germany
Fully funded scholarships normally cover both tuition and a monthly living allowance, but knowing the underlying costs helps you choose between full and partial funding offers.
Annual Tuition (Self-Funded Rate)
- Undergraduate
- €0 at public universities (some federal states charge €1,500/semester for non-EU students)
- Master's
- €0 at public universities (Baden-Württemberg: €1,500/semester for non-EU)
- PhD
- €0; doctoral candidates pay only the semester contribution (~€150–€350)
All students pay a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) of €150–€350 covering admin and the regional transit pass. Private universities charge €10,000–€25,000/year and are uncommon.
Monthly Living Budget (€850–€1,300)
- Rent
- €350–€700 (shared/WG; Munich at the upper end, eastern cities like Leipzig and Dresden much lower)
- Food
- €200–€280
- Transport
- €0–€90 (Semesterticket often included in student fee covers regional transit)
Munich is the most expensive German city. Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden, Aachen, Bonn, and Cologne are the affordable hubs for international students.
Student Visa, Work Rights, and Post-Study Pathway
Visa rules and post-graduation work rights vary dramatically between destinations — for many applicants they matter as much as the scholarship itself.
Student Visa (National Visa for Study)
- Visa Fee
- €75 + €75 residence permit fee on arrival
- Processing Time
- 6–12 weeks (apply early)
- Financial Proof Required
- €11,904/year (2024 rate) in a blocked account (Sperrkonto) — typically opened with Expatrio, Fintiba, or Deutsche Bank
- Health Insurance
- Mandatory public health insurance: ~€120/month for students under 30 (€110 + nursing); private insurance available for older students
- Work While Studying
- 120 full days or 240 half days per year; unlimited hours as student research assistant (HiWi)
Post-Study Work Rights
18-month job-seeker visa after graduation gives you time to find skilled employment. Once employed in a role matching your degree, you can switch to an EU Blue Card and apply for permanent residence after 21 months (German B1 required) or 33 months (no German required).
English Language Requirements
For English-taught programmes: IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL iBT 80–95 is standard. Technische Universitäten (TU Munich, RWTH Aachen) and elite programmes typically want IELTS 6.5+. For German-taught programmes you need TestDaF (minimum 4 across all sections) or DSH-2. Many programmes accept the Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter from English-medium undergraduate institutions.
Application Timeline for Germany Scholarships
Most scholarship deadlines are 8–14 months before the programme start date. Backwards-plan from your target intake to avoid missing key dates.
- 1
12 months before
Choose between summer (April) or winter (October) intake; research uni-assist requirements.
- 2
9–12 months before
Take IELTS/TOEFL or TestDaF; get APS certificate if from China/India/Vietnam.
- 3
6–9 months before
Apply through uni-assist or directly (winter deadlines typically July 15; summer January 15).
- 4
4–6 months before
Apply for DAAD scholarships; receive admission letter.
- 5
2–4 months before
Open blocked account, apply for student visa, purchase health insurance, book housing.
How to Win a Scholarship in Germany
Since tuition is already free, scholarships in Germany focus on living costs. DAAD is the largest funder with dozens of distinct programmes — the Study Scholarship pays €934/month, Research Grant €1,300/month for PhDs, EPOS targets development-related Master's, and there are subject-specific awards. Apply through DAAD's online portal (deadlines vary October–December typically). The Deutschlandstipendium pays €300/month but is awarded by individual universities, so check each target's portal. German political foundations (Heinrich Böll, Konrad Adenauer, Friedrich Ebert) offer some of the most generous packages but expect strong alignment with the foundation's political values in your application essay.
Germany Scholarships at a Glance
- Public university tuition is free for all international students at undergraduate and Master's level.
- Over 1,800 Master's programmes in Germany are taught entirely in English.
- Germany has the third-most international students in the world after the US and UK.
- The blocked account requirement of €11,904 must sit in a German bank for visa approval.
Scholarships in Germany by Student Nationality
Find scholarships in Germany tailored to students from your home country. Select your nationality to see specific opportunities and eligibility requirements.
🇵🇰 Pakistani Students 🇮🇳 Indian Students 🇳🇬 Nigerian Students 🇧🇩 Bangladeshi Students 🇰🇪 Kenyan Students 🇬🇭 Ghanaian Students 🇵🇭 Filipino Students 🇪🇬 Egyptian Students 🇪🇹 Ethiopian Students 🇳🇵 Nepali Students 🇻🇳 Vietnamese Students 🇮🇩 Indonesian Students 🇱🇰 Sri Lankan Students 🇹🇿 Tanzanian Students 🇺🇬 Ugandan Students
Explore Other Study Destinations
Considering other countries? Browse scholarships in these popular study destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships in Germany
Yes, Germany offers several fully funded scholarships that cover tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, and sometimes even travel costs. Government-sponsored programs and university-specific awards provide comprehensive funding for international students at all degree levels.
Competition varies by program. Prestigious government scholarships tend to be highly competitive with acceptance rates under 5%, while university-specific funding and partial scholarships are more accessible. Starting your application early and maintaining strong academic credentials significantly improves your chances.
Most English-taught programs require IELTS (6.0–7.0) or TOEFL (80–100) scores. Many European universities also offer programs in the local language, with preparatory language courses included in some scholarship packages.
Start researching and preparing at least 12–18 months before your intended start date. Most scholarship deadlines fall between October and March for programs starting the following September. Early preparation gives you time to gather recommendation letters, write strong personal statements, and take standardized tests.
Most student visa categories in Germany allow part-time work during term time (typically 15–20 hours per week) and full-time work during holidays. However, many fully funded scholarships provide sufficient living allowances, allowing you to focus entirely on your studies.
TheScholarSphere currently lists 2 scholarship programs in Germany for the 2026 academic year, ranging from fully funded government scholarships to partial university grants. New opportunities are added regularly, so subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
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