Scholarships to Study in Germany

Scholarships to Study in Germany

Laura Tucker

Updated January 16, 2020 Updated January 16

Not only is Germany one of the cheapest study destinations in Europe, the nation also has an impeccable international reputation. Home to many esteemed universities within the latest QS World University Rankings®, Germany offers a growing number of English-taught programs, particularly at postgraduate level. To find out more, take a look at our complete guide to studying abroad in Germany.

Below is a selection of scholarships for international students of all degree levels wishing to study in Germany.

Government-funded scholarships to study in Germany

  • DAAD Scholarships – The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers many scholarships for international students to study in Germany at various degree levels. Click the link to view the DAAD scholarships database.
  • Erasmus+ – The largest provider of scholarships for study in the EU, Erasmus+ is led by the European Commission, funding international students to study in Europe. It provides grants towards living costs when participating in an exchange program to study in Europe.

Non-government scholarships to study in Germany

  • Einstein International Postdoctoral Fellowship – Fellowship sponsored by the Einstein Foundation for postdoctoral research at a university in Berlin. You can find out more about studying a PhD in Germany here
  • Heinrich Böll Scholarships for International Students – Scholarships for international students at all levels wishing to study in Germany at an accredited institution. (The deadline for the 2019 round of applications has passed. Please check back later for the 2020 round.)
  • Humboldt Research Fellowships for Postdoctoral Researchers – Postdoctoral scholarships for scientists and scholars of any subject and nationality. Students from developing and emerging countries may be eligible to apply for a Georg Forster Fellowship.
  • Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Scholarships – Monthly master’s and PhD scholarships are available for international applicants under 30 who have completed a university degree in their home country. You’ll need to provide evidence of an above-average academic performance, have been actively involved in voluntary work for the benefit of society in your home country, and have an interest in political issues.
  • Kurt Hansen Science Scholarships – Science scholarships to study in Germany, funded by the Bayer Foundation and open to students who are training to become educators in the field of science.
  • Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) for Developing Countries – Postdoctoral research scholarships for international students wishing to study in Germany. Funded by the European Commission. More scholarships for students from developing countries are available here
  • Mawista Scholarship – Scholarships for those studying abroad while taking care of a child, including those pursuing study in Germany.
  • Deutschland Stipendium – Merit-based scholarships of €300 a month are available to highly talented students enrolled at German universities. Nationality and personal income do not affect your chances of being considered.  
  • The Helmholtz Association – Annual fellowships are available for doctoral and postdoctoral students from around the world, giving them the opportunity to do paid research at a Helmholtz center in Germany. 

University-specific scholarships to study in Germany

For more advice, download our complete guide on how to find scholarships to study abroad.

This article was originally published in September 2014. It was most recently updated in April 2019.

This article was originally published in April 2019 . It was last updated in January 2020

Written by

Laura is a former staff writer for TopUniversities.com, providing advice and guidance for students on a range of topics helping them to choose where to study, get admitted and find funding and scholarships. A graduate of Queen Mary University of London, Laura also blogs about student life.

Related Articles

Most Shared

Most Read

English