Top 10 Scholarships in Germany for International Students

For you to get the scholarship to Germany, you should be enrolled at a higher education institution and both your home university as well as the German university must have signed the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education. Germany has become a popular destination for foreign students looking for international education. German Universities offer internationally recognized programs at a relatively cheaper cost compared to the UK, the  USA or Australia. Moreover, there are a significant number of available scholarships that allows foreign students to study in Germany for free.

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.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.

Heinrich Boll Scholarships in Germany for International Students

Masters or PhDThe Heinrich Böll Foundation awards some scholarships to international students who gained their university entrance qualification from a school outside of Germany and who wish to study for a Masters or PhD Degree in Germany.State or state-recognized Universities  in GermanyThe scholarships are for Masters’s Degree or PhD Degree in all subjects offered at state or state-recognised universities in GermanyFor EU students, Master’s Degree courses at the state or state-recognised universities in Germany, Switzerland, and other EU member states are possible.The scholarship program allots scholarships to international students, both EU and non-EU, who are not educated in Germany.Scholarship value/inclusions/duration:Masters Studies: Non-EU students: €850 per month plus various individual allowances; tuition fees are in certain cases possible in Germany. EU students: varies, max. €649 plus €300 book money per month; tuition fees are not possible in Germany but are possible to a limited extent in other countries.The scholarship is awarded for the regular period of study and may be extended by one semester.PhD Studies: Non-EU students: €1,200 per month plus €100 mobility allowance per month, plus various individual allowances; tuition fees are not possible. EU students: €1350 per month basic scholarship plus €100 per month research costs allowance; tuition fees are not possible in Germany but are possible to a limited extent in other countries.The scholarship is awarded for two years, as a rule, and may be extended twice at most by half a year.Eligibility:International Master students who earned their university entrance qualification outside Germany:• You may apply before commencing your Masters’s programme or at any time up to the end of the first semester of the Masters’s programme.• Proof of first professional qualification must be providedInternational Doctoral students who earned the university entrance qualification outside Germany:• The applicant must have been accepted as a doctoral student by a state or state-recognised university in Germany. Proof of admission, as a rule in Germany, must be included with the application.• By the application date, preliminary work must have been completed and a valid timetable for completion must be submitted.• PhD subjects related to focal points of the Foundation’s activities will be given priority.Apply Here

Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarships for International Students

The Scholarship Department of the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung awards Masters and PhD scholarships to highly-qualified international students who wish to undertake studies in Germany. They should be individuals demonstrating a high level of social and political engagement.Host Institution(s):German universitiesLevel/Field(s) of study:Masters and PhD degrees in any subject, except for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary medicineinternational students from all over the world. Preference is given to women, students of non-academic and migrant backgrounds, the socially needy, and people with disabilities, with achievement and commitment.Scholarship value/inclusions:The scholarship for international students is in the form of a living grant, for the duration of the standard study programme period. Tuition fees for international students are not covered.The Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung’s Scholarship Department offers scholars a wide range of support, consisting of political education events and summer schools, workshops conducted both domestically as well as abroad, symposia and educational trips. It also organizes practical training in fields such as rhetoric, conflict management and other key skills, time management and self-management, bolstering academic qualifications, text and writing workshops, and specific seminars on methodology.Eligibility:The Scholarship Department awards grants to foreign students (MA only) and PhD students who are temporarily residing in Germany for study or research purposes. The requirements are:• German language proficiency (B2 level or above) • MA Students must be enrolled at a state or state-recognized German university • PhD students must be accepted at a German universityApplicants for scholarships for MA and doctoral students from Egypt, Libya, Lebanon, Tunisia, Yemen, Jordan, Morocco and Iraq can be graduate students pursuing their MA, Diploma or State Examination in Germany or doctoral students pursuing a PhD or doctoral research in Germany.The selection criteria are:• High scholarly and professional qualifications (proof of above-average academic achievement at school and/or university) • Political and social engagement in line with the aims of the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung • German language proficiency (B2 level or above). • Personal/family backgroundApply Here

Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarships

Friedrich Ebert Stiftung makes available scholarships to both Germans and overseas international students who wish to undertake bachelor’s, Master or PhD studies in German universities or technical colleges. Studies could be in any subject. The Foundation supports young talents who want to advance their personal development and be among the best in their field. The Foundation is looking for individuals committed to socio-political goals.German universities and technical collegesBachelors, Masters or PhD degrees in any subject, except for those mentioned at this link.International students from all over the world. The Foundation particularly supports students with limited financial opportunities or who come from families with a migration background.Scholarship value/inclusions:Scholars receive up to €744 per month. In addition, there is a monthly flat-rate study fee of 300 euros, which all scholars can freely use. Depending on the applicant’s situation, scholars may also receive a contribution to health insurance of up to €71 and long-term care insurance of up to €15 per month. Scholars with children can receive a family allowance of 155 euros per month. The scholarship does not have to be repaid.The Foundation supports stays abroad during the funding period – through subsidies for travel expenses, tuition fees and international health insurance, especially for study or research stay, language courses and internships of up to 12 months.Applicants could be Germans, foreign students with education or those with refugee status. Applicants should be individuals committed to society, for example, in active participation in the student council, youth work, participation in associations and NGOs or in political organizations that are appropriate to the tenets of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.  Those who previously have been enrolled at a German university are ineligible.Applicants should possess sociopolitical engagement and identification with the values ​​of social democracy; above-average performance in school and studies; political thinking; thirst for knowledge; tolerance and openness; ability to work as a team; critical thinking; and self-reflection.Applicants for basic Bachelors’s and Masters’s degree courses must have the following:• Confirmation of study place or certificate of enrollment at a state or state-recognized German university or technical college for the course for which they want to be funded • Foreign applicants must also demonstrate sufficient German language skills • First-year students (Germans and foreign students with education) must apply before or at the beginning of the first semester.PhD funding applicants must have:• Unconditional notification of admission to the doctoral scholarship • Foreign applicants must also demonstrate sufficient German language skillsApply Here

Deutschlandstipendium Program (DAAD Scholarship)

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount: €300 monthly allowance
• Eligible Degree: Undergraduate programs and graduate studies

The Deutschlandstipendium Program or the DAAD Scholarship is funded by the Federal government and some private sponsors. DAAD Scholarship is the best scholarship in Germany for international students. It is merit-based and awarded to international students having an excellent academic standing in their respective German universities.German universities are the ones that are responsible for processing and selecting the recipients. You can check 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 strong academic records and kindly include your social involvement and personal achievements in life.

TUM – Scholarships for International Students

• Scholarship Amount: €500 – €1,500 per semester
• Eligible Degree: Undergraduate programs and graduate studies

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 language. Some documents required are a motivational letter, a current grade report in the university, two recommendation letters, and proof of your parent’s income. The complete list of the documents needed can be found on the scholarship link.Apply Here

Ulm University Scholarships

To support international students, the university has several scholarships offered to them. These awards have different conditions and international students can directly apply to 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 it is 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, transcript of records, admission documents, and others. Depending on the type of your scholarship, the university might require more documents.Scholarship Amount: the specific amount depends on the scholarship type and situation of the studentEligible Degree: Bachelor’s, Master’s PhDEstablished 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.Apply Here

University of Hamburg Merit Scholarship

• Scholarship Amount: €850 – €1,000 per month
• Eligible Degree: Undergraduate, Masters, PhD

The University of Hamburg is a public research university in Hamburg, Germany. It was founded on 28 March 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 amongst 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 skills and publication. Finally, the financial need will also be taken into account.Apply Here

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship

• Scholarship Amount:€861 per month for Masters, €1,200 for PhD, healthcare insurance, family allowance, and children’s allowance
• Eligible Degree: Master’s and PhD

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 should upload the required documents beforehand.Apply Here

Hans-Peter Wild Talent Scholarships at Heidelberg University

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount: €1,000 per month
• Eligible Degree: Undergraduate

Heidelberg University is one of Germany’s oldest and most prestigious universities 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 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, 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.

Friedrich Naumann Foundation Scholarship

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation Scholarship is open to qualified international candidates pursuing their first degree, whether in Masters’s or PhD at a state or state-recognized higher-education institution in Germany, Switzerland or within the European Union.The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom is a foundation in the Federal Republic of Germany devoted to the promotion of liberal principles and political education. The goal of the foundation is to advance the principles of freedom and dignity for all people in all areas of society, both in Germany and abroadGerman, Swiss and other EU state or state-recognized universities and technical collegesFull-time Masters and PhD degrees in any subject, except for the following: second degrees; LL.M, MBA; part-time degrees; bachelor’s degree for non-European applicants; doctorate studies in dentistry and medicine; postdoctoral programs; projects and separate stays abroad.Masters: The scholarship’s worth is up to €861 per month. In addition, there is a contribution to health insurance. The Foundation also offers non-material support for projects, events and initiatives. The minimum funding period is 2 semesters. The scholarships do not have to be paid back. Funding is initially granted for 1 year. Extensions up to the end of the course can be granted on request. Study and research stays and internships abroad are not funded.The scholarships are targeted at young people committed to the political ideas of the German liberal party and willing to take responsibility. They come from any discipline or subject taught at state-recognised universities of applied sciences or higher-education institutions in Germany. Those who are awarded a scholarship by the Foundation for Freedom are considered to be members of the ‘liberal family’ in Germany.Apply Here