Studying in Germany opens up a lot of opportunities in today’s incredibly competitive job market. The country has a large number of universities for undergraduates looking to make their mark. Germany also offers to be a promising destination for those chasing after their post-graduate programs.
The idea of studying in Germany can be very attractive, but on the financial side of things, it can be a difficult path. Scholarships in Germany can be a way to negate a lot of monetary burden along the way to your diploma.
Another great thing is that tuition in German universities is free. If you want, take a look at the list of free tuition universities in Germany. So, you want to study in Germany? Here are some of Germany’s best scholarships for international students.
Different Types of Scholarships in Germany
Numerous scholarships are available for domestic and international students, and they vary in their types and scholarship coverage. Scholarships are mainly separated into two categories: external scholarships that are awarded by institutions and organizations that do not belong to the education field, and governmental scholarships that are offered by the country’s government as financial help for domestic and international students. Last but not least, there are university scholarships, which are mostly offered by specific universities based on their programs, and in most cases, they are merit-based.
Best External Scholarships in Germany
As stated above, these external scholarships are given by different organizations to be applied to universities in Germany. While most of these scholarships can be applied to any university in Germany, there might be some restrictions, so please check the pages linked to see if there are any restrictions.
1. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: A monthly stipend of €774 and a study fee of €300, health insurance contribution, and more.
- Eligible Degree: Undergraduate programs, graduate and Ph.D. studies.
The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung is a non-profit political foundation in Berlin, Germany, that promotes social democracy in the country and worldwide. They aim to support activities upholding the same values and assist students who give importance to social democracy. This scholarship is open to domestic and international students with limited financial capacity to support their studies.
To qualify for this scholarship in Germany, the applicant must have a strong personality, be a critical thinker with a political mindset, and be able to work in a team. In addition, he should also have excellent academic standing. The applicant should know about speaking and understanding the German language. You can start your application on their official website, and kindly note that you should be enrolled in your chosen university. If the team approves your application, they will request additional documents to support it.
2. Heinrich Boll Scholarships for International Students
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Graduate students can have a monthly stipend of €850, and Ph.D. students can have a €1200 monthly stipend.
- Eligible Degree: Graduate Studies and Ph.D. degrees.
The Heinrich Boll Foundation in Berlin, Germany, is an independent political foundation formed in 1997. This foundation aims to promote political education in Germany and internationally. As they advocate these things, they also assist graduate and Ph.D. students in their studies by giving financial aid. As of today, they support more than 1,200 students in Germany and globally.
These scholarships at this German university are given to non-European citizens who want to study for their graduate and doctoral degrees in Germany. You can start your application in their online application portal, and please note that you should have good knowledge of the German language. Proof of your proficiency in the German language should be presented when you apply for a scholarship. Other documents and forms will be found on their website. You’ll be asked to upload your supporting documents in the portal, and they should be translated into German language.
3. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount:€861 per month for a master’s degree, €1,200 for Ph.D., healthcare insurance, family allowance, and children’s allowance.
- Eligible Degree: Master’s degree and Ph.D. degree.
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is a political foundation to promote democracy, dialogue, and cooperation between Germany and other countries. It does this by supporting students from all over the world who want to study at German universities. In addition, the foundation offers scholarships for master’s degrees, doctoral studies, and postdoctoral research projects at German universities.
Applicants must be enrolled in a degree program at a university or college in Germany at the time of application, and they must also hold citizenship outside of Germany but have never before studied there. International students who are citizens of EU member states are eligible for this scholarship program if they are not already looking at an institution within the EU. This scholarship in Germany is intended to cover tuition fees, family allowance, and living expenses. All applications are done online, and the organization advises that students upload the required documents beforehand.
4. Erasmus Scholarship Programs in Germany
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Full tuition and traveling coverage.
- Eligible Degree: Master’s degree.
International postgraduate students can apply for scholarships through the Erasmus scholarship program that is available in Germany. This is a great opportunity because the scholarship programs cover the full tuition fee for the academic year and also cover the travel costs for the students.
The scholarship is granted separately from the university admission, and the application process is separate from it. The main advantage that students gain from this scholarship is that it helps them create social interactions with other students that fall under this program and helps them gain international experiences.
5. Bayer Foundation Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Up to 10,000$ in funding.
- Eligible Degree: Master’s degree and Ph.D. degree.
The Bayer Foundation offers scholarships to students who are interested in undergoing their fellowships in Germany. This scholarship is available for both domestic and international students that are planning to conduct and research various topics that are of high importance.
The only condition for gaining this scholarship is to have great talent and potential as a student and research topics of high importance that are considered innovations in their respective educational fields. The scholarship link contains additional information about the application process and funding.
6. Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) For Developing Countries
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Up to 15,000 in funding per year.
- Eligible Degree: Ph.D. degree.
This scholarship is open to international students currently undergoing the highest level of education in their respective fields. It is mostly focused on postgraduate studies that have the main aim of conducting research programs in Germany, and the amount granted as a part of this scholarship can reach up to 15,000 dollars per year.
The Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) for Developing Countries, as stated by their name, are open to international students, but they are focused on countries that are still developing and are not known for having great financial conditions, from which students can benefit from their studies in a foreign country with a better educational system. For students that are interested in this scholarship, additional information is attached to the link above.
7. Mawista Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: A one-time payment of 3,000$.
- Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees.
This scholarship is not like the rest of the scholarships offered in Germany for the sole reason that it supports a class of students that normally do not get much attention. It is well known that studying in a foreign country while having children and taking care of them is a challenge on its own. With a one-time payment of $3,000, this foundation and scholarship program tends to help parents who have the will to study but are taking care of their children.
Even though this payment is not enough to complete their studies, it is a great step in helping them achieve their dreams and formal education. Extra information for the participants that are eligible for this scholarship is attached to the link that leads to the main scholarship page.
8. Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarships for International Students
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Living fee coverage.
- Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees.
The Scholarship Department of the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung awards scholarships for every level of education, and they are granted to students that have the best academic achievement until the time of application, which means that the applicants need to be highly qualified students in their area of study.
This scholarship does not cover tuition fees, because in most cases the tuition fees are free for international students. Still, it is focused on covering the students’ living expenses and other costs that will make them feel comfortable in Germany.
Best Government Scholarships in Germany
9. Deutschlandstipendium Program (DAAD Scholarship)
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: €300 monthly allowance.
- Eligible Degree: Undergraduate programs and graduate studies.
The Deutschlandstipendium Program or DAAD Scholarship is funded by the federal government and some private sponsors. The DAAD Scholarship is the best in Germany for international students. It is merit-based and awarded to international students with excellent academic standing at their respective German universities.
German universities are the ones that are responsible for processing and selecting the recipients. You can check with your chosen university if they offer this scholarship and follow the application process. The documents needed and submission dates will depend on your university. Lastly, you need to present vital academic records and kindly include your social involvement and personal achievements in life.
10. DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Masters Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Full tuition fee coverage and 931 € monthly allowance including health insurance and traveling fees.
- Eligible Degree: Master’s Degree.
The DAAD Helmut Schmidt Masters Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance Program is one of the best governmental scholarship opportunities for international students in Germany. This scholarship program is focused on international students that derive from developing countries with difficult financial backgrounds, and it helps them by covering their tuition fees and providing them with a 931 € monthly allowance.
For students who benefit from this program, the scholarship also includes financial assistance with health insurance and coverage, as well as a travel allowance. The program will also provide financial coverage for their spouse and children if they fall under the program’s requirements. This scholarship has a connected application system with the university, and the students that meet the right requirements are awarded the reward.
11. DAAD Scholarships in Germany for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Full tuition fee coverage and 861 € monthly allowances for graduate degree students and a 1200€ monthly allowance for doctoral students including health insurance and traveling fees.
- Eligible Degree: Master’s Degree and Ph.D. degree
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarship opportunities to foreign students from developing countries with weak education systems to study in Germany.
These scholarships are mostly focused on courses such as business administration, economics, political science, and development, from which students can gather great knowledge and skills.
The main advantage of these scholarships is that they offer great value to students because they give them full tuition fee coverage, 861 € monthly allowances for graduate degree students, and a 1200 € monthly allowance for doctoral students, including health insurance and travel fees. That is one of the main reasons why this scholarship is highly requested by international students.
Best University Scholarships in Germany
12. TUM – Scholarships for International Students
The Technical University of Munich offers a merit-based scholarship for international students taking up undergraduate or graduate programs at the university. They give this scholarship to students having financial problems supporting their studies but showing excellent academic performance.
To start your application for these scholarships in Germany, answer the online form on the university’s website and prepare the documents needed. These documents should be translated into German or English. Some documents required are a motivational letter, a current grade report from the university, two recommendation letters, and proof of your parent’s income. The complete list of documents needed can be found on the scholarship link.
13. Amirana Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: tuition fee exemption and other educational funds.
- Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees.
The Amirana Scholarship at Heidelberg University provides financial assistance to international students from Global South countries taking a degree in medicine or dentistry. They aim to provide funds to support these future doctors or medical practitioners. Applicants should first check the list of countries in the Global South (you can view them on the website).
If your country is included, kindly prepare the supporting documents along with your application form. Usually, they will require you to present your previous academic transcripts, curriculum vitae, and proof of English proficiency, such as results from the TOEFL, IELTS, and other English tests. The scholarship link contains a complete list of documents.
14. RWTH International Academy – HiPS Grant
The RWTH Aachen University International Academy offers a scholarship to European and international students taking up a master’s degree in the Engineering Department. This scholarship in Germany is created to recognize graduate students who excel in their chosen engineering courses.
If you’re planning to apply for this scholarship, kindly prepare your certificate stating you’re one of the best students in your batch. If you don’t have this, you can present your previous academic record (translated into German’s educational system), and it should reach a GPA of 1.7. Also, a letter of intent is needed. In this letter, state your reasons or motivation for applying for this scholarship. It should directly answer the question, and it should be presented uniquely. Submit and upload your documents to the university’s portal, and the committee will review your application. You’ll be notified whether your application is accepted or rejected.
15. SIST LMU Study Scholarship
The Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) gives scholarships to international students taking full-time doctoral programs. The Federal State of Bavaria funds this scholarship, which aims to help these students support their studies. All applications received by LMU International Office are processed, checked, and selected.
To be eligible for this German scholarship, you need to have excellent academic records for the past semesters, and you should show that you need financial assistance for your studies. The application documents required are listed on their official website. All application forms and documents will be submitted electronically, so please submit them completely. They will automatically reject incomplete applications. Lastly, the International Office Advisory Committee of the university will select the successful applicants and send emails to them.
16. Ulm University Scholarships
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: the specific amount depends on the scholarship type and situation of the student.
- Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees.
Established in 1967, Ulm University houses more than 10,000 local and international students. This public university in Germany is highly recognized for its academic programs in science, engineering, and medicine. They also established their reputation for providing quality research in various fields.
To support international students, the university has several scholarships offered to them. These awards have different conditions, and international students can directly apply for them. The four types of awards are: for international doctorate students, for finishing a university degree, for emergency aid, and honorary excellence. Take note that these grants are not long-term and are only given once. To be eligible for this program, the student should be currently enrolled at Ulm University. For the requirements, applicants should prepare their curriculum vitae, transcripts of records, admission documents, and others. Depending on the type of scholarship, the university might require more documents.
17. Hans-Peter Wild Talent Scholarships at Heidelberg University
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: €1,000 per month.
- Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s degree.
Heidelberg University is one of Germany’s oldest and most prestigious universities, located in the heart of Heidelberg. The institution was founded in 1386, and it has been a hub for students from across Europe but has recently started to attract international students from around the world. Heidelberg University was ranked as one of Europe’s best universities in 2018 by the Times Higher Education (THE).
The institution offers more than 110 fields of study at the bachelor’s level and over 80 majors at the master’s level. The university is offering Hans-Peter Wild Talent Scholarships for international students. This award is available for those pursuing undergraduate degrees in mathematics, computer science, the natural sciences, or technology. Since the university requires an online application for these awards, undergraduate and graduate students should prepare the documents beforehand. International bachelor’s students should prepare their previous academic records, a letter of motivation, and others. For graduate students, the documents required are almost the same. Applicants are highly encouraged to complete their forms and papers early to avoid any delay.
18. Goethe University Graduation Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: €500 per month for a maximum of 6 months.
- Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s and master’s degree.
Located in Frankfurt, Goethe University was founded in 1914 and has since become one of the most respected universities in Europe. As a state-funded institution, it offers a variety of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in various subjects, including business administration, law, and social sciences. In addition, students can choose from over 80 majors, including economics, business administration, and computer science. In 2019, Goethe University was ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide by QS World University Rankings.
The university has seven faculties and many other facilities, including several libraries, three leading research institutes, two museums, and one botanical garden. It has around 100 professorships and about 37,000 students studying there annually. If you are interested in this scholarship, you must apply online. On the platform, you can upload all necessary documents, such as a CV, letter of recommendation, and record of transcripts. Make sure to take note of their application dates, so you’ll have a higher chance of being selected.
19. Degree Completion Grant at Leibniz University Hannover
Leibniz University Hannover is an institution in Lower Saxony, Germany. It was founded in 1831 as the Royal Institute of Artillery, Engineering, and Manufacturing in Hanover, becoming the Technical University of Hanover in 1969 before finally gaining its current name in 2003.
The university has about 30,000 students and 2,800 staff members distributed across its eight faculties, located on two campuses: one in Hanover’s Linden district and one in Vienenburg. A 15-minute shuttle bus service links the main campus to the city center.
The Degree Completion Grant aims to support international students during their degree completion phase. The awarding commission decides on the amount and duration of the grant for each applicant individually. It is based on the available funds, the number of applications, and the students’ neediness. If your application is accepted, you will promptly receive an invitation to a personal interview with the Awards Committee. The discussion lasts 20 to 30 minutes, during which you can explain your situation in person.
20. Corona Special Grant at Ruhr-University Bochum
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: €400 per month for four months.
- Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees.
Ruhr-University Bochum is a state university in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. The university was founded in 1966 as the successor to the Technical University of Applied Sciences Essen and is organized into various faculties. The college has about 43,000 students and 4,000 employees. It is one of the biggest German universities with a focus on technology, and it offers a wide range of courses and programs in engineering sciences, natural sciences, economics, social sciences, and the humanities.
The scholarship is awarded monthly for four months and can be used to cover tuition fees, living costs, and other expenses related to your studies. The final amount that you will receive will depend on your financial situation as well as the type of program that you are taking. To apply for this Germany scholarship, you must submit an online application form along with your CV, academic transcripts, and financial need.
21. University of Erlangen-Nuremberg Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Not specified.
- Eligible Degree: Master’s degree.
The University of Erlangen-Nuremberg is a public university located in Germany. It was founded in 1693 and is one of the oldest universities in Germany. The school has an excellent reputation for its research facilities.
To be eligible for this scholarship in Germany, you need to have excellent grades, and you must also demonstrate financial need. Only students with a gross monthly income of under 861 euros can apply. In the application form, a statement regarding the applicants’ financial needs has to be explained, and the age restriction for this award is 35 years or below.
You need to send an up-to-date transcript and the online application form to apply. You would also need to write up your CV and request a letter of recommendation from a professor at the university.
22. University of Hamburg Merit Scholarship
The University of Hamburg is a public research university in Hamburg, Germany. It was founded at a public research university in Hamburg, Germany. It was founded on March 28, 1919, but was established as a fully accredited university in January 1922. Since its establishment, the institution has been recognized as an international research university with strengths in law, medicine, and economics. The first doctoral program was opened in 1924, and it has been considered one of the best universities in Germany for graduate training and undergraduate education. In addition, it has also been rated among the top 20 universities in Europe.
The college offers merit scholarships for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. You can apply for the award online. A CV, letter of motivation, proof of social and intercultural activities, and evaluations from two professors are required, along with the application form. The selection criteria for this award is that the applicant must have good academic performance. They also need to have other capabilities, such as presentation and publication skills. Finally, the financial need will also be taken into account.
I hope that this article on the best scholarships in Germany for international students was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Germany!
