Scholarships in Germany for International Students

As an ideal destination for international students, Germany offers some of the best conditions to pursue a degree and enjoy an authentic German experience. There are numerous reasons why Germany makes a go-to destination for foreign students, starting with the fact that it is truly budget friendly. In comparison to other study destinations outside of Europe, living in Germany as an international student comes at a lower cost. However, living in a foreign country while being far away from home means you must possess perfect skills in financial management.

It has been estimated that the living costs in Germany are around 853€ per month. Since this can prove to be a challenge for international students, numerous programs offer students the opportunity to be awarded with financial support in the form of a scholarship. Below we have listed available scholarships for international students in Germany which you might find useful.

Here is a list of prominent scholarships in Germany for international students:

1. DAAD Scholarship Programs

DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) or the German Academic Exchange Service is a joint organisation of Germany’s higher education institutions, responsible in promoting international academic relations. They focus on the exchange of students, academics, and researchers offering scholarships and funding to foreign students, graduate students, and scientists in Germany.

The DAAD scholarships are awarded to students who want to get a qualification in a full-time course of study. The applicants should have completed their Bachelor degree not more than in the last 6 years and they should have at least two years of proven work experience. The stipend amount of the DAAD scholarship is 850€ monthly for postgraduate students and 1,200€ monthly for doctoral students.

If you check the database of the DAAD, you will find a list of all the scholarships available as well as numerous programmes offered by different institutions.

2. Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships in Germany

The Heinrich Böll Foundation awards approximately 1,200 scholarships a year to ambitious undergraduates, graduates, and doctoral students of all subjects and nationalities. These students should be pursuing their degree at state or state-recognized universities in Germany. Scholarship receipts are expected to have outstanding academic records and be politically and socially engaged, while showing an interest in values like ecology, sustainability, democracy, human rights, self-determination as well as justice.

Non-EU students in their Masters studies will receive 850€ per month, in addition to individual allowances (tuition fees might be possible). EU students of the same level of study will receive 649€ plus 300€ book money per month. It is awarded for the regular period of study with the possibility of extension by one semester.

PhD students coming from countries outside of the EU, on the other hand, will receive 1,200€ per month, in addition to 100€ mobility allowance per month and other individual allowances (excluding tuition fees). PhD students coming from the EU, will receive 1,350€ per month, plus 100€ research costs allowance (excluding tuition fees). The scholarship is awarded for two years with the possibility of extension twice by half a year.

3. DeutschlandStipendium National Scholarship Programme

The Deutschlandstipendium offers financial support to ambitious and academically outstanding students from all corners of the world. It supports students at all participating universities in Germany without taking into consideration someone’s nationality, personal or parent income. The scholarship is made possible through a public-private collaboration where businesses, foundations, or individuals sponsor students with a sum of 150€ per month while the Federal Government adds another 150€ to that amount. This scholarship is awarded by the universities, meaning applicants are required to meet the requirements of individual institutions.

The scholarship is awarded for two semesters but it may also be valid for the time which covers the standard period of study. After two semesters, the university reviews the student still meets the scholarship criteria, in order for private funding to proceed. Mentoring programmes, networking events, as well as internships will also be available through this scholarship.

4. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships in Germany for International Students

Students with above average academic achievements with a keen interest in politics are eligible to apply for the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship. This scholarship programme aims to promote foreign students and doctoral candidates who have successfully completed their undergraduate studies in their home country. This scholarship is available for students wanting to complete a postgraduate, doctorate, or research programme. Priority will be given to students of PhD candidates from developing countries or countries that are going through political transformation.

Master and postgraduate students will receive an amount of 850€ monthly for two years. Doctoral candidates and those who come to Germany for research purposes will receive a monthly amount of 1,100€ for three years. Tuition fees can be reimbursed up to 500€ per semester (only courses related to the study/doctoral project). Through these scholarships, intercultural dialogues and international networks get promoted in order to develop the relations between the home countries and the Federal Republic of Germany.

5. Erasmus Scholarship Programs in Germany

Erasmus is also a wise choice for international students aiming to participate in a full-time study programme in Germany. As an EU-wide grant funded by the member states of the European Union, Erasmus offers financial assistance for one year exchange periods for international students at universities in Germany. In order for you to get the scholarship to Germany, you should be enrolled at a higher education institution and both your home university as well as the German university must have signed the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education.

Most of the major universities in the EU participate in the Erasmus scheme, with German universities participating in numerous study programmes funded by Erasmus Mundus and Erasmus+ scholarships. The grants will cover the enrollment, travel, as well as basic living costs. You can find the complete list of Erasmus Mundus master courses on the Erasmus catalogue. You can search for courses conducted in Germany.

6. The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarship

Another option is the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung scholarship, which seeks to promote social democracy through academic financial assistance. The scholarship is available for foreign applicants who are studying or doing their doctorate in Germany at a state or state-recognized university of applied sciences. These students are expected to have above-average academic achievements. This is a good option for those in the fields of social sciences, politics, or humanities.

To be eligible for this scholarship you must demonstrate exceptional German language skills even if the course you are taking is in English. The places are limited since only 40 people per year, coming from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe, will be taking this funding programme. Scholarship holders in undergraduate courses will receive a monthly amount of 830€. Those in master degree programmes will receive 850€ per month as well as health insurance costs.