Germany is known worldwide for its top universities, high-quality education, and public universities’ free or low tuition fees. Even though the tuition fee is low, living expenses or other expenses can create a financial burden. Luckily, there are several scholarships for international students in Germany. If you are curious about scholarships in Germany for foreign students, let’s begin!
Table of Contents:
- Top 10 Scholarships in Germany for International Students
- Overview Table for Scholarships in Germany
- Detailed Breakdown of the Top 10 Germany Scholarships
- Exploring Financial Support for Germany with Expert Support
- Frequently Asked Questions
Top 10 Scholarships in Germany for International Students
Germany is known for its wide range of scholarships, which typically cover costs like accommodation, semester contribution fees, research funds, and more. Several of these scholarships are awarded to students based on their academic excellence, social engagement, research, personal achievements, and more.
Overview Table for Scholarships in Germany
Let’s learn about the top 10 scholarships for international students in Germany:
| Scholarship | Level of Study | Amount |
| Expatrio Scholarship | All Levels | €9,000 – €15,000 |
| DAAD Scholarship | Master’s, PhD, and Postdoctoral | €992 for Master’s and €1,300 for PhD and Postdoctoral (Monthly) |
| Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships | Master’s and PhD | €992 for Master’s and €1,400 for PhD and Postdoctoral (Monthly) |
| Deutschlandstipendium National Scholarship Program | All Levels | €3,600 per year |
| Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship | Master’s, PhD, and Research Program | €992 for Master’s (for 2 years) and €1,400 for PhD (for 3 years) |
| Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarships | All Levels | €992 for Master’s and €1,400 for PhD for 3 Years (Monthly) |
| Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships | Postdoctoral | Variable Amount |
| Bayer Foundation Fellowships | Master’s and PhD | €10,000 |
| University of Hamburg Merit Scholarships | All Levels | €930 (Monthly) |
| TUM Linde / MDSI Master Scholarship | Master’s | €1,000 for up to 12 Months |
Detailed Breakdown of the Top 10 Germany Scholarships
Germany is known for its tuition-free system, especially at public universities; however, having a scholarship supports students with living and other expenses. With so many scholarships available, it is important to choose the right one. To make it simple, here are the top 10 scholarships to study abroad in Germany:
Expatrio Scholarship
The Expatrio Scholarship is offered by Expatrio. The scholarship is open to students from all the countries. Students are assessed based on their video submission answering the following question: “How will your studies in Germany help you make a positive impact for others?”.
Eligibility:
Must submit a max 2-minute video in MP4 format
Deadline:
Application closes in September
Amount / Benefits:
First prize is €15,000, second prize is €12,000, and the third prize is €9,000. For 4th to 10th winner the prize includes rent paid for 6 months, a new laptop, German language lessons, semester contribution fees.
DAAD Scholarship
The German Academic Exchange Service offers the DAAD Scholarship. It is awarded to students who are pursuing Master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral research in Germany. Students must display good academic performance and achievements and relevant internships or work experience.
Eligibility:
Must present a school leaving certificate, proof of language proficiency
Deadline:
Application varies by country
Amount / Benefits:
€992 for Master’s and €1,300 for PhD and Postdoctoral (Monthly)
Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships
Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships is offered by the Heinrich Böll Foundation. Students who are pursuing a Master’s and PhD at universities, universities of applied sciences, and universities of the arts in Germany are eligible to apply for the scholarship.
Eligibility:
Must have strong academics, social engagement, research, and motivation
Deadline:
March 1st and September 1st of each year
Amount / Benefits:
€992 for Master’s and €1,400 for PhD and Postdoctoral (Monthly)
Deutschlandstipendium National Scholarship Program
German universities offer the Deutschlandstipendium National Scholarship Program. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in partner universities of the scholarship.
Eligibility:
Based on the university, it often includes high academic performance, social engagement, and personal achievements
Deadline:
Application varies by university
Amount / Benefits:
€3,600 per year
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship is offered by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS). Students must have a university degree with strong academic performance, engage in voluntary work and B2-level German language skills to apply for the scholarship.
Eligibility:
Must be pursuing a Master’s, PhD, or Research Program
Deadline:
Application closes by July
Amount / Benefits:
€992 for Master’s (for 2 years) and €1,400 for PhD (for 3 years)
Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarships
Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarships are offered by Friedrich Ebert Foundation. The scholarship is for students and Doctoral candidates who are pursuing their program in a state or state-recognized German university. Student must have excellent school or academic merit and must be committed to the values of social democracy.
Eligibility:
Must share professional and family background, your motivation to become a FES scholarship holder, and information about your socio-political commitment
Deadline:
Application varies by program
Amount / Benefits:
€992 for Master’s and €1,400 for PhD for 3 Years (Monthly)
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships are offered by the European Commission. The scholarship is for students who hold a Doctoral degree and wish to pursue a 1 to 2-year research project. The students will be assessed by expert panel based on Excellence (50%), Impact (30%), and Implementation Quality (20%).
Eligibility:
Must have a maximum of 8 years of full-time post-graduate research experience
Deadline:
Application opens in May
Amount / Benefits:
Living, mobility, and if applicable, family, long-term leave, and special needs allowances; also covers funds for research, training, and networking activities
Bayer Foundation Fellowships
The Bayer Foundation offers Bayer Foundation Fellowships. Students who are pursuing a Master’s or PhD in medical studies or scientific disciplines (pharmacy, data science, medical engineering) are eligible to apply for the scholarship.
Eligibility:
Excellent academic records, innovation, relevance to their field, and awareness of the societal impact of their research
Deadline:
Application opens in February and closes in April
Amount / Benefits:
€10,000 (up to 6 months)
University of Hamburg Merit Scholarships
University of Hamburg Merit Scholarships are offered by the University of Hamburg. Students must be enrolled in a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD program and must have completed at least 2 semesters at the university. Students will be assessed based on their academic performance, other skills, social engagement, and financial need.
Eligibility:
Must submit a CV, letter of motivation, proof of social/intercultural activities (if applicable), academic records, and evaluations from two professors or junior professors at the university
Deadline:
Application closes on April 15th and October 15th
Amount / Benefits:
€930 (Monthly)
TUM Linde / MDSI Master Scholarship
TUM Linde / MDSI Master Scholarship for the Technical University of Munich (TUM) is offered by Linde AG and the Munich Data Science Institute (MDSI). Students must be enrolled in the “Data Engineering and Analytics” or “Mathematics in Data Science” master’s program at the university to apply for the scholarship to study in Germany.
Eligibility:
Must provide personal and academic information, a motivation letter, CV, recommendation letter, transcripts (bachelor’s degree), and a current examination report for the TUM master’s program
Deadline:
Application opens each semester
Amount / Benefits:
€1,000 for up to 12 Months
Exploring Financial Support for Germany with Expert Support
Germany is known for its free tuition for international students and strong support system offering numerous scholarships. From government-funded programs like DAAD to foundation-specific grants, there is something for every student.
While scholarships are a great option, they may not cover your expenses thoroughly. You can also explore other financial options, such as study abroad education loan or guidance from study abroad experts. We at Nomad Credit can help you compare and find the best loan options tailored to your profile and goals, making your study abroad journey more affordable and stress-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there full scholarships available for MBA programs in Germany for international students?
Yes, full scholarships are available for MBA programs in Germany for international students, but they are competitive. Some scholarships cover tuition fees, living costs, travel allowances, and more.
Who is eligible for a full master’s scholarship in Germany?
The eligibility criteria for scholarships depend on academic excellence, nationality, field of study, and sometimes financial need or work experience. The criteria may vary based on the scholarship.
How do I apply for scholarships for MS in Germany?
To apply for scholarships for MS in Germany, you should research scholarships, fulfill the eligibility criteria, along with all the required documents. Some scholarships may ask for an interview, so be prepared for the same.
Is tuition really free for international students in Germany?
Yes, most universities often have free or low tuition fees for international students. However, students will have to pay semester fee of ranging from €100 to €350.
Are there fully funded scholarships in Germany for undergraduate?
Yes, there are fully funded study abroad scholarships for undergraduate in Germany. The scholarships typically covers tuition, living expenses, and sometimes travel costs.
