If you are planning to study in Germany with financial support, the DAAD Scholarship is one of the best opportunities available for international students. The DAAD Scholarship provides fully funded programs at top German universities across a wide range of fields. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the DAAD Scholarship, including its benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a detailed step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
The DAAD Scholarship 2027 is available to pursue a master’s or a PhD at the top German universities. DAAD scholarship covers monthly payments of 992 euros for graduates or 1,400 euros for doctoral candidates.
Well-trained experts, who are networked with international partners, play an important part in the sustainable development of their countries. They are the best guarantee for a better future with less poverty and more education and health for all. With its development-oriented postgraduate study programs, the DAAD promotes the training of specialists from developed and newly industrialized countries.
The scholarships offer foreign graduates from developed and newly industrialized countries from all disciplines the chance to take a postgraduate or master’s degree at a state or state-recognized German university, and in exceptional cases to take a doctoral degree, and to obtain a university qualification (master’s/PhD) in Germany.
DAAD Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Master’s / PhD
- Institution: DAAD
- Study in: Germany
- Courses Offered:
- Economic Sciences, Law
- Agricultural and Forest Sciences
- Art, Design
- Engineering and Natural Sciences
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Language and Cultural Studies
- Mathematics, Natural Sciences
- Medicine, Health Sciences
- You can also see the complete list of available postgraduate courses.
- Program Period: Master’s: 12 months; PhD 36 months.
- DAAD Scholarship Deadline: Depending on the chosen study program, please check deadlines here.
DAAD Scholarship Coverage
The DAAD Scholarship provides the recipient with the following benefits:
- Depending on academic level, monthly payments are 992 euros for graduates or 1,400 euros for doctoral candidates.
- Travel allowance, unless these expenses are covered by the home country or another source of funding
- Payments towards health, accident, and personal liability insurance cover.
- One-off study allowance.
Under certain circumstances, scholarship holders may receive the following additional benefits:
- Monthly rent subsidy
- Monthly allowance for accompanying members of the family
Eligibility Criteria for the DAAD Scholarship 2027
To be eligible for the DAAD Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Required Languages: English or German.
- For international programs, the language of instruction is English. You are usually required to submit an English language certificate, e.g., TOEFL or IELTS.
- For other programs, the language of instruction is German. You are usually required to submit a German language certificate, e.g., DSH or TestDaF.
- Eligible Countries: Click here for a list of eligible developing countries.
- Candidates have a bachelor’s degree (usually a four-year course) or a master’s degree in an appropriate subject.
- Candidates have at least two years of professional experience.
- Candidates can prove their motivation is development-related and be expected to take on social responsibility and initiate and support processes of change in their personal and professional environment after their training/scholarship.
Also check: Fulbright Scholarship USA | Fully Funded | Application Process
How to Apply for the DAAD Scholarship 2027?
To apply for the DAAD Scholarship, please follow the step-by-step application procedure below:
- Choose suitable courses of your interest. (You can apply for a maximum of three courses.)
- Apply to universities offering those courses.
- You send your complete application(s) (with the above documents) directly to the universities.
- A selection committee suggests potential candidates for a DAAD scholarship.
- The suggested candidates will be contacted by DAAD to upload their complete application to the DAAD Portal. (The link to the DAAD Portal will be provided by DAAD through email.)
- The selection process will be finalized, and the suggested candidates will be informed accordingly.
Required Documents for DAAD Scholarship 2027
- Signed the DAAD application form with the current date
- Personally signed CV (please use the sample Europass form at http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/) with the current date
- Personally signed letter of motivation (concerning current occupation and choice of postgraduate program(s), two pages maximum) with the current date.
IMPORTANT: When applying for more than one postgraduate course (maximum 3 courses), you have to submit one motivation letter explaining why you are applying for these specific courses and why you chose that priority. - Letter of recommendation from your current employer; the letter must have letterhead, a signature, and an official stamp and must be of the current date (not in a sealed envelope)
- Certificate(s) of Employment from the employer(s) that prove a minimum of two years of relevant working experience (after the bachelor’s degree) at the time of application, and if possible, a guarantee of re-employment from your current employer upon returning home.
- Proof of Language Skills:
- English – IELTS or TOEFL (Note: The institutional TOEFL is not accepted.)
- German—Required for courses taught in German
- Copies of Academic Degrees (certified translation if necessary)
- Copies of Academic Transcripts, including grading scale (certified translation if necessary)
- Applicants from the People’s Republic of China are asked to submit an APS Certificate with their application documents.
Note: Some courses may require additional documents. For detailed information, please see the relevant course description in the brochure and on the respective websites. The complete applications have to be submitted in English or German to be considered.
Website
To learn more about the DAAD Scholarship for Master’s and PhD in Germany, please visit the official website:
Why Study in Germany?
Germany is one of the most popular study destinations in the world, especially for international students seeking high-quality education at low cost. Located in the heart of Europe and known for its tuition-free public universities, Germany offers globally recognised degrees, strong research opportunities, and excellent career prospects. Discover why Germany could be the ideal destination to pursue your degree abroad.
1. Quality Education
Germany is one of the most popular non-English-speaking study destinations in the world and is widely recognized for its strong higher education system. According to recent global university rankings such as the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and QS World University Rankings, several German universities consistently rank among the top institutions worldwide. Universities such as LMU Munich, Heidelberg University, Technical University of Munich (TUM), and Humboldt University of Berlin regularly appear in the top 100 globally, while many others rank within the top 200–300 worldwide.
Germany is highly regarded for the quality of its modern teaching methods, research facilities, and strong industry-academia collaboration. The German government invests heavily in higher education and research through initiatives such as the Excellence Strategy and federal research funding programs. These investments enable universities to support innovative research projects, provide state-of-the-art laboratories, and offer students opportunities to participate in cutting-edge scientific and technological developments.
2. No Tuition Fees
You may have dreamed of studying in Europe, but you are worried about how you will finance your studies. Germany may be the right place for you! Studying undergraduate in Germany is free. Yes, you read it right! Even as an international student, you don’t have to pay fees or tuition fees, because in Germany, registration is free of charge.
In fact, at the end of your undergraduate studies at a German university, you can be chosen to pursue a postgraduate degree that is also free. Without tuition fees, you can save extra money for accommodation, study material, and socialization and get to know nearby places.
3. Job Opportunities
After graduation, international students in Germany can apply for an 18-month residence permit to search for employment related to their field of study. This generous post-study work period allows graduates sufficient time to secure a suitable position and transition into long-term employment. By comparison, the United Kingdom currently offers a Graduate Route visa that permits international students to remain for two years after completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree (and three years for PhD graduates).
According to data from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), a significant proportion of international graduates choose to remain in Germany after completing their studies, reflecting the country’s strong labor market and demand for skilled professionals.
German universities also maintain close collaborations with industry, providing students with valuable opportunities for internships, research placements, and practical training. Many German institutions perform strongly in global employability rankings, reflecting their emphasis on applied learning, research integration, and industry engagement.
4. Quality of Life
Life as a student in Germany is undoubtedly impressive. Most major German cities, such as Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg, are centers of culture, art, and music. There is so much to see and do, no matter what your interests are; this is the perfect place to be a curious international student.
If you are interested in sports, politics, history, or art, you will find your niche market and a crowd with similar interests to yours. Due to a strong economy and infrastructure, it has reliable, safe, and fast public transport, which means that moving is very easy. During the day, you can explore the impressive architecture, medieval castles, and parks, and at night, enjoy the great life in the main cities.
5. International Environment
Germany has become a major hub for international students and multicultural exchange. With a wide range of degree programmes taught in English and low or no tuition fees at most public universities, Germany attracts students from across the globe. According to recent data, over 400,000 international students are currently enrolled in German higher education institutions, making Germany one of the most popular study destinations worldwide. This number continues to grow as the country expands its international academic offerings.
Located in the heart of Europe, Germany also provides excellent opportunities for travel and cultural exploration. Its central position allows students easy access to neighbouring European countries, enabling them to experience diverse cultures, languages, and historical landmarks while studying.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m already in Germany. Can I still apply for a DAAD scholarship, or does living here make me ineligible?
It depends on the specific DAAD programme, but many programmes have a residency rule. A common requirement is that you must not have been living in Germany for more than 15 consecutive months by the application deadline. Always confirm the rule on your exact programme’s official listing and country-specific guidance.
The deadline says “end of day” — what time does the DAAD portal actually close?
For many calls, the DAAD portal closes at midnight Central European Time (CET/CEST) on the deadline date. If you submit after the portal closes, the application is considered late, so it’s safer to submit at least 1–2 days early.
Do my transcripts and certificates need notarization or certified copies at the time I apply?
Usually, notarized/certified documents are not required at the initial application stage. If your documents are not in German or English, you normally need to provide translations (often allowed as non-certified for the application), and certified versions may be requested later if you are awarded or shortlisted, depending on the programme.
My documents are not in English or German. Can I translate them myself for the DAAD application?
In many DAAD scholarship programmes, you can submit translations into German or English for the application stage, and these translations often do not need to be certified initially. If you are selected, you may be asked later for certified translations, depending on the programme.
I keep hearing about an APS certificate. Who actually needs it for DAAD applications?
An APS certificate is required for applicants from certain countries for specific programmes (commonly mentioned for Chinese and Vietnamese applicants in DAAD/EPOS-related programme documentation). Check your programme’s official requirements and your country’s DAAD guidance to confirm whether APS applies to you.
I can’t see the application portal button in the DAAD database. Is something wrong?
Often, nothing is wrong. For many programmes, the “Application portal” option is only visible during the active application window. Outside that period, the portal won’t appear for that programme until the next call opens.
What if I face a technical error while submitting my DAAD application (upload issues, portal not loading, etc.)?
If you experience technical problems, contact the DAAD portal support email listed in DAAD guidance as soon as possible and include screenshots and details of the error. Also avoid submitting on the final day because last-minute portal issues can prevent a complete submission.