Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg Scholarships for International Students 2026

Most University of Oldenburg scholarships are tied to being enrolled in a degree programme, rather than being “for online courses” specifically.

Both. Many programmes (especially at Bachelor level and state-exam tracks) are primarily in German, and the university requires German proficiency for German-speaking degree programmes. At the same time, Oldenburg offers a number of Master’s programmes taught entirely in English (for example, several “international degree programmes” list English as the programme language). In the recipient stories, Esayas Tekleweyni explains that Oldenburg accepted a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter confirming his prior degree was taught in English, so he “was not required to take standardized tests like TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, or GMAT.”

For the Deutschlandstipendium at Oldenburg, the university explicitly states you can apply “regardless of age, nationality, or subject” as long as you meet the enrolment/standard study-time requirements. Other scholarship programmes listed by the International Office focus on academic progress, motivation, and (often) financial need rather than listing an age cap. Real applicant paths can be non-linear too: Esayas Tekleweyni describes graduating in 2019 and building work experience before his Master’s, showing scholarships can still be relevant beyond the “fresh graduate” stage.

Generally, scholarships are available across subjects rather than being limited to one department. Oldenburg states that the Deutschlandstipendium welcomes applications from students from “all six faculties,” and the university scholarship listings also include opportunities open to “students of all disciplines.” That means engineering and STEM (like renewable energy, microbiology, neuroscience), business (including business-related programmes), humanities and social sciences, and more can all be eligible, depending on the specific scholarship’s criteria. For medicine: Oldenburg offers a Medicine (State Examination) programme that is admission-restricted, and international applicants can apply (including non-EU/EEA via uni-assist), but they must meet the stated additional requirements such as proof of German language skills (and TestAS for some applicant groups).

It depends on the scholarship. The Deutschlandstipendium call at Oldenburg states enrolled students can apply “regardless of … nationality”. In Global Scholarships’ Oldenburg recipient stories, Esayas Tekleweyni (Ethiopian nationality) describes receiving a University of Oldenburg scholarship, illustrating that non-EU students can be supported too.

It’s programme-dependent. For German-taught programmes, Oldenburg generally requires German proof (the university FAQ mentions a level such as DSH 2 / TestDaF 4×4 for admission to specialised studies, with programme-specific variations). For English-taught programmes, German is often not required, but you may need to prove English proficiency according to the individual programme’s admission requirements. A useful real example is Esayas Tekleweyni, who says Oldenburg accepted a Medium of Instruction letter, so he “was not required to take standardized tests like TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, or GMAT.”

There isn’t one single “minimum grade” for all applicants. Requirements vary by degree programme, and some (like Medicine – State Examination) are explicitly admission-restricted. For scholarships, strong grades help but aren’t the only factor: Oldenburg’s Deutschlandstipendium guidance emphasises talent and performance (“good grades”) while also factoring in volunteering and special personal circumstances. In the recipient stories, Esayas Tekleweyni reports graduating with a GPA of “3.6 out of 4.0,” which is the kind of solid academic performance that typically supports both admission and scholarship competitiveness.

A competitive profile usually combines strong academics with clear fit and evidence you’ll use the opportunity well. Esayas Tekleweyni highlights a “strong academic background,” “three years of practical experience” in renewable energy, community involvement, and a clear motivation for sustainable energy solutions. On the university side, scholarship criteria commonly list academic achievement/progress and require a convincing motivation and reference support.

If you apply via uni-assist, Oldenburg’s uni-assist FAQ lists typical required documents such as your school-leaving certificate, transcripts/records from previous studies (if applicable), your university diploma(s) (if applicable), and proof of German language proficiency (exception: degree programmes taught in English). uni-assist also expects documents in the original language plus translations into German or English when required. Individual degree programmes can add further requirements (for example, proof of English for English-taught programmes), so always check the “Admission requirements” section of your specific programme page.

Document requirements vary by scholarship, but Oldenburg provides clear examples. For the Deutschlandstipendium, the university lists documents such as a CV, enrolment certificate, and grade transcript (plus prior degree documents for Master’s applicants and evidence for special circumstances if relevant). From the recipient side, Esayas Tekleweyni says he gathered “transcripts, motivation letter, and recommendation letters” and highlighted academic achievements and work experience.

If you apply through uni-assist, Oldenburg notes an application fee of EUR 75, and uni-assist explains that the handling fee is EUR 75 for the first chosen programme and EUR 30 for each additional programme in the same semester.