Ruhr University Bochum Scholarships for International Students 2026

Most scholarships connected to Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) are designed for students enrolled in RUB degree programs.

Both exist, but most degree programmes at Ruhr University Bochum are taught in German, so German proficiency is commonly required for German-taught tracks. RUB also offers English-taught options (especially at Master’s level). For exclusively English-language Master’s programs, RUB notes you don’t need to prove German, but you do need to prove English proficiency.

RUB scholarships generally don’t have a single “university-wide” age limit; the rule depends on the specific scholarship provider and program. For example, DAAD guidance commonly states there is usually no fixed age limit (with exceptions in some programs), while RUB’s Deutschlandstipendium focuses on academic achievement and social commitment rather than age.

In general, scholarships connected to RUB (e.g., Deutschlandstipendium) can apply across many subjects because they are aimed at (prospective) RUB students with excellent performance and engagement, not only one department.

Medicine: RUB offers Medicine (State Examination) and it is primarily German-taught, with highly competitive admission; international students can apply but should expect strict language and admission requirements. Scholarships for Medicine are possible but usually not “Medicine-only” at RUB—more often they come via larger programs (e.g., DAAD) or external sponsors.

Engineering & STEM: RUB is strong in engineering/computer science/natural sciences, and scholarships may be used in these fields as long as you meet criteria (grades, motivation, engagement). Nisa Narimanova also highlighted the importance of fit: she researched “program structure” and “course offerings” to match her sustainable development interests.

Business & Humanities: RUB offers business/economics and a wide range of humanities/social sciences; scholarships are typically open to eligible students in these areas too.

Many RUB-linked opportunities are open to all nationalities as long as you are eligible and enrolled (or about to enroll). For example, Deutschlandstipendium explicitly includes “foreign students” among its applicant groups.

DAAD and other external scholarships are also commonly used by international students in Germany. For a real example, Nisa Narimanova (Azerbaijan) studied at RUB with a fully funded DAAD scholarship.

It depends on the language of your program. For German-taught degree programmes, RUB lists specific German certificates (e.g., TestDaF, DSH, telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule, Goethe C2) that are accepted as proof.

For English-taught programs, you must prove English proficiency (RUB lists recognized certificates such as TOEFL and IELTS at B2-level ranges on its language requirements guidance, and individual programs may set higher requirements).

In the DAAD-path example, Nisa Narimanova said: “I only took the IELTS exam to meet the language requirements… The key is to practice a lot [and] familiarize yourself with the format.”

There isn’t one single minimum grade that applies to every program. Admission rules depend on the degree level and the specific subject: some programs are admission-restricted (selection/NC), while others are open admission if you meet formal requirements.

For scholarships, the bar is usually higher than “minimum admission.” For instance, Deutschlandstipendium targets applicants with “very good academic or school results” plus social commitment.

As an example of the kind of academic performance that can help in competitive scholarships, Nisa Narimanova wrote: “I… graduate[d] Magna Cum Laude with a CGPA of 3.76/4.”

A strong academic record plus a clear match between your background and your target program is a common pattern, especially for large competitive awards like DAAD.

Nisa Narimanova described how she strengthened her application by aligning goals and materials: she tailored “my motivation letter, CV, and application form, university and program choices” to clearly reflect her goals.

For Deutschlandstipendium specifically, RUB emphasizes “very good academic or school results” and being “socially committed,” so evidence of leadership, volunteering, student initiatives, or community impact can meaningfully help.

For admission (degree application): RUB’s international application guidance commonly asks you to upload documents such as a passport copy, certificates/transcripts (with certified translations where needed), proof of German (for German/bilingual programs), and sometimes proof of English and additional academic content documents (e.g., module descriptions/syllabus). Requirements can vary by program. For scholarships, documents often include a CV and motivation letter. In Nisa Narimanova’s DAAD experience, she emphasized the interview reality: “About 90% of the questions asked during the interview come directly from your CV and motivation letter.”

In many RUB degree applications, the application itself is stated as free of charge (some RUB program admissions FAQs explicitly say there is no application fee), and at least one RUB application document page notes they do not charge application fees. Check with the latest guidelines for the updated information.