Scholarships in Germany for International Students

DAAD, Deutschlandstipendium, Erasmus+, and the foundation scholarships: who each one is for, what it covers, and how to apply as an international student.

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Studying in Germany is already inexpensive, since most public universities charge no tuition. The reason to chase a scholarship anyway is that living costs and the visa's proof-of-funds requirement still demand real money, and a good scholarship covers exactly that. A monthly stipend can also free you from working part-time, which matters in a demanding programme.

This guide covers the main funding sources open to international students: the DAAD, the Deutschlandstipendium, Erasmus+, and the political and church foundations. It is a spoke of our broader study in Germany guide.

DAAD — the big one

The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) is the largest funder of international students in Germany and the first place most people should look. It runs a wide catalogue of programmes rather than a single scholarship, so the right one depends on your level and field.

DAAD scholarships most often target master's and PhD students, and many are tied to specific development-focused or postgraduate programmes. A typical award covers a monthly living stipend, health insurance, and a travel allowance; some also include rent subsidies or a study allowance. Many programmes are aimed at applicants from particular countries or regions.

Search the official scholarship database at daad.de and filter by your country, degree level, and subject. Applications usually open many months before the intake, and deadlines are strict, so start at least a year ahead.

Use the DAAD scholarship database filters early, before you've even chosen a university. The funded programmes can shape which course you apply to in the first place.

Deutschlandstipendium — merit-based, half-funded by sponsors

The Deutschlandstipendium is a national merit scholarship awarded through individual universities. It is open to students of any nationality, including internationals, already enrolled or admitted at a participating German university.

As of recent years it pays €300 per month, half from the federal government and half from private sponsors, and is awarded for at least two semesters regardless of your own income. It rewards strong academic results alongside social engagement and personal circumstances. Confirm the current amount and the list of participating universities at deutschlandstipendium.de.

Because it is administered by each university separately, you apply through your institution, and the selection criteria and timing vary from one to the next.

Erasmus+ — for mobility and exchange

Erasmus+ is the EU's mobility programme. It is most relevant if you are already enrolled at a European university and want to spend part of your degree in Germany, or if you are joining a structured joint master's degree.

For exchange periods, Erasmus+ provides a monthly grant to help with the cost difference of studying abroad. For the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's programmes, the funding is far more generous and is open to students worldwide, often covering tuition, a monthly stipend, and travel.

If you are coming from outside Europe with no prior EU enrolment, the Joint Master's route is the part of Erasmus+ to focus on.

The political and church foundations

Germany has a set of foundations (*Stiftungen*) tied to political parties or churches that fund talented students, including internationals, usually for master's and doctoral study. They look for academic excellence plus a demonstrated commitment to their values and to society. Each runs its own application and selection, typically including interviews.

These foundations typically pay a monthly stipend in a similar range to the DAAD, plus a study allowance and access to a network of seminars, mentoring, and fellow scholars. The non-financial side — the community and the events — is a large part of their value. Each foundation publishes its own eligibility rules and deadlines on its website, so check the specific one that fits you.

Foundation scholarships reward genuine, demonstrable engagement, not a box ticked on a form. A real track record of volunteering, activism, or community work in line with the foundation's mission is usually what separates successful applicants.

A quick comparison

How to give yourself the best shot

Apply early and apply to more than one. Most of these have annual cycles with hard deadlines, and the foundations especially have multi-stage selection that takes time.

Your application materials carry real weight. A scholarship CV needs to be clean, well-structured, and easy to scan, and many European bodies accept or prefer the Europass format. You can build a free, ATS-ready resume with Prezumi's resume templates and convert it with the free Europass CV converter.

Where to go next

• The pillar: Study in Germany — the full overview and the other steps.
• Universities in Germany — pick the right institution, since some scholarships are tied to specific universities.
• Student visa for Germany — how a scholarship can satisfy the visa's proof-of-funds requirement.

FAQ

Which scholarship is easiest to get in Germany?

There is no single easy one, but the Deutschlandstipendium has relatively light application requirements since it runs through your university and considers more than just grades. The DAAD has the widest range of programmes, so your odds depend on finding the track that matches your country and field. Search early at daad.de.

Can I get a full scholarship as an international student?

Yes. DAAD master's and PhD awards and Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's scholarships can be effectively full funding, covering living costs, insurance, and sometimes tuition where it applies. Since public-university tuition is already near zero, a stipend that covers living costs often functions as a full ride.

Do I need to speak German to win a scholarship?

Not always. Many DAAD and Erasmus programmes support English-taught courses and accept English-language applications. The foundations and some German-taught programmes will expect German proficiency. Check each programme's specific requirements.

When should I apply for German scholarships?

Roughly a year before your intended start. DAAD and foundation deadlines often fall many months before the semester begins, and the foundations add interview rounds that stretch the timeline further. Build the scholarship deadlines into your plan before you set your university application dates.

Does a scholarship cover the visa's blocked account requirement?

A recognised scholarship that pays a sufficient monthly stipend can be used as proof of funds for the student visa instead of a blocked account. You provide an official award letter stating the amount and duration. See the student visa for Germany guide for how proof of funds works.

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