Start your academic journey with a scholarship from the Government of Germany, provided by the DAAD Foundation. This scholarship is a unique scholarship opportunity that covers the entire cost of study for international students who aim to obtain a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree in the best German universities.
The German government scholarship includes monthly financial support of 934 euros for university degree holders and 1,300 euros for students applying for doctoral degrees.
Advantages of the German government scholarship
The DAAD Scholarship offers foreigners from developing and newly industrialized countries of all specializations the opportunity to obtain a postgraduate degree at a state-recognized German university.
- Level of study: Bachelor’s degree after the second year, Master’s degree, and Doctorate degree
- Institution: German Academic Exchange Foundation
- Place of study: In any German city with a university
- Duration of the grant: between 12-36 months
- A monthly stipend of 934 euros for master’s students
- A monthly stipend of €1,300 for PhD students
- Full insurance benefits
- Travel costs to Germany
- Help in submitting a student visa application
Why is Germany a great destination to study?
Located in the heart of Europe and with no tuition fees, discover why Germany could be the perfect place to earn your degree abroad.
1. Prestigious universities
Germany is a prestigious study destination for non-English speaking students around the world, and is home to some of the best-ranked universities in Western Europe. In 2015, LMU Munich was ranked 29th globally and Heidelberg University was ranked 37th, while Humboldt University Berlin was ranked 49th, and several other institutions saw their rankings post 100th.
These universities are recognized for the high quality of their teaching methods and modern infrastructure, and the German government devotes great efforts to promoting higher education. The German state funds research projects annually, giving students the opportunity to carry out their own projects and advanced research.
2. Cost of living with the German government scholarship
Studying in German universities is free of fees. Yes, you read that correctly! Even for international students, you will not have to pay any tuition fees, as registrations in Germany are free.
In fact, once your undergraduate studies at a German university have finished after a German government scholarship, you can also choose to pursue a postgraduate degree without paying additional fees. Thanks to this fee-free system, you can save more money for accommodation, study materials, social experiences, and exploring the surrounding areas.
3. Job opportunities with the German government scholarship
After graduation, international students have the right to stay in Germany for up to 18 months to look for a job. This is a generous period of time compared to many other European countries, such as the United Kingdom, where graduates are only allowed to stay for three months. In 2014, the German Academic Exchange Service (German Government Scholarship) reported that about 50% of international students choose to remain in the country after graduation, reflecting the growing demand and demand for work in Germany.
Universities also have excellent links with companies, and this gives them an advantage in facilitating training or employment opportunities. According to the Times Higher Education World University Ranking for Employability, German universities appear to achieve outstanding results.
4. Quality of life in Germany
Student life in Germany undoubtedly comes with an amazing experience. Most major German cities such as Berlin, Munich and Hamburg are centers of culture, art and music. There are plenty of things to see and do, no matter your interests, and this is the perfect place for an international student keen to explore.
If you're interested in sports, politics, history, or art, you'll find niche markets and communities that bring together people with similar interests to yours. Due to the strong economic situation and advanced infrastructure, the country has a fast, safe and efficient public transportation system, which makes moving between cities very easy.
During the day, you can explore magnificent architecture, visit historic medieval castles and gardens, and at night you can enjoy the activity-filled life of the main cities.
5. The international incubator environment in Germany
Germany is a fertile ground for students and global cultural diversity. With many university study programs offered in English and no tuition fees, the country has a natural attraction for international students from all over the world.
Last year alone, more than 300,000 international students studied in the country, and this number is expected to increase further. In addition, the country is located in the heart of Western Europe, making it easy to access and travel to other countries in the region. You can explore new cultures and visit places that interest you on a large scale.
Criteria for admission to the German government scholarship
- Previous qualification: Applicants for the German government scholarship must have previous qualifications commensurate with the desired specialization.
- Motivation and Interest: DAAD scholarship applicants must show high interest and motivation to study in Germany.
- Social Responsibility: Applicants are expected to be committed to social responsibility and be able to make a difference in their personal and professional environment.
- Language Proficiency: Language proficiency is important and hence it is encouraged to start learning now. Scholarship recipients are only given six-month preparatory language courses. However, it is preferable that they have an appropriate language level beforehand to increase the chances of admission.
In short, a Daad scholarship requires a suitable previous qualification, clear motivation to study in Germany, the ability to assume social responsibility, and language proficiency. It is recommended to achieve a good language level before applying to increase the chances of admission.
Conditions for the DAAD German Government Scholarship
- You can apply in any previous academic major
- There is no specific age to register for the scholarship and study in Germany
- Send the application fully supported by the required documents and facts
- Delay in sending the application or lack of documents will cause your application to be rejected
- You must meet all conditions and admission criteria to the institution
- Complete the scholarship application completely within the specified dates
- The requirement to obtain a recognized academic qualification.
- You have the right drive and motivation to apply
How to Apply for DAAD Scholarships for International Students
- First you need to get admission to a German university, see here a comprehensive list of all German universities and their requirements,
- After obtaining acceptance, go to the official website of the scholarship at the bottom of the registration link
- Fill out the complete application document, watch the video below for assistance
- Attach the documents required of you to the application file.
- Send the application to the donor.
Documents required for submission
Documents must be translated by a certified translator into English or German:
- A copy of the passport or ID.
- The last certificate you obtained must be translated.
- A statement of the student’s grades for the last academic degree obtained, translated into English.
- Motivation letter.
- At least two letters of recommendation.
- the biography.
- Training certificates if you have them.
- Work experience certificates if you have previous experience.
- Volunteer certificates if you have previously participated in volunteer opportunities.
At Study Shoot, we help you cover and prepare the documents required to register for the scholarship, and the most important of these documents are the CV, letter of motivation, and letters of recommendation.
- Important: When applying for more than one postgraduate specialization (max. 3 courses), you are required to submit one letter of motivation explaining why you are applying for those specific courses and why you have chosen that priority.
- Employment certificate from the employer if applicable that proves at least two years of relevant work experience.
Would you like to apply for a DAAD scholarship? Information and answers to questions regarding application conditions and requirements, preparing your application and subsequent selection procedures are available here.
Information about the language required for registration
Not all programs require a certain language level to apply for funding. Language requirements depend on your country and the scholarship program you are applying for. There may be specific language proficiency requirements depending on the program and country.
To know the specific requirements, it is best to read the “Application Requirements” section in the application announcement for the German Government Scholarship. This will provide you with accurate information about the expected language requirements for your specific programme.
Regarding scholarships in Germany, it generally depends on the following points: When applying for a scholarship, you may be asked to provide evidence of your language level in the language of instruction (be it German, English or both) in the study program you aim to enroll in.
If you want to assess your language skills yourself, you can take free placement tests offered by Deutsche Welle or Goethe-Institut.
Are there e-learning language courses I can take in my country to improve my skills?
Yes, you can learn German through online courses in your country. For example, the Goethe-Institut and the Deutsche-Uni Online (DUO) platform offer online German language courses. For scholarship holders who will continue funding for longer than six months, the DAAD may cover the costs of German language learning modules.
Regarding the required degree age, if it has been more than 6 years since the end of your last degree, your application may be accepted in cases such as:
- Pregnancy and Birth.
- Caring for children up to 12 years of age (maximum of three years per child).
- Caring for care-dependent relatives.
- Having a disability or chronic disease.
- Suffering from a serious and long-term illness.
- Performing compulsory military service.
- Other circumstances if possible.
It is best to check the application requirements and confirm the conditions specified in the German government scholarship program or course you are interested in.
Is there an age limit for the Daad scholarship?
No, there is usually no specific age limit. There are individual exceptions in programs where an international partner explicitly requests this. Some scholarship programs stipulate that only a certain time should have passed since the last degree was taken.
Do I have to apply in German?
Unless otherwise stated in the call for applications, you may submit your application in either German or English. Please note that application documents not in German or English must be translated into either German or English. Translations You do not have to be certified to make the application and you can do the translations yourself.
Who pays for travel expenses abroad and back?
The DAAD provides an allowance to cover travel expenses.
Am I allowed to work part-time as a scholarship holder in Germany?
Scholarship holders wishing to work part-time during the scholarship period, i.e. seeking gainful employment, always require DAAD approval. The academic supervisor or course coordinator must also give their approval. DAAD will verify that part-time work does not conflict with the purpose of the scholarship. Additional income exceeding €450 per month is deducted from the monthly grant payment.
Are there additional scholarships for people with special needs or chronic illness?
Yes, there are additional scholarships offered to people with special needs or chronic illness. In such cases, you can apply for additional benefits that complement the regular financial benefits and support provided in scholarships. To do this, you must contact the responsible party for the Daad Scholarship after you are selected for the scholarship.
It is important to know that it is not necessary to specify your disability or chronic illness on the application form, but in some cases it can be helpful to mention it. For example, if your disability negatively affects your studies or academic performance, you may have the right to additional support that takes this into account.
The best specializations in the free DAAD scholarship
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Scholarship is one of the most popular scholarships offered by Germany to international students. This scholarship covers a wide range of academic majors, however, there are some majors that are considered the most desirable and have a greater chance of acceptance due to academic and market needs. Here are some of the best majors in DAAD scholarship:
Engineering and technology:
- Mechanical engineering
- electrical engineering
- Civil engineering
- Environmental Engineering
Natural Sciences:
- Physics
- chemistry
- Life sciences (biology)
- geology
Computational sciences and information technology:
- Computer Science
- Artificial intelligence
- data science
- cyber security
- Medicine and Health Sciences:
- Human Medicine
- Public Health
- Veterinary Medicine
- the pharmacy
Social and human sciences:
- Political Science
- Economy
- Sociology
- the law
Business Management:
- International Business Adminstration
- Finance and accounting
- Human Resource Management
- Marketing
Energy and sustainability:
- Renewable energy technologies
- الإدارة البيئية
- sustainable development
Agricultural and food sciences:
- Agricultural Sciences
- Food technology
- Agricultural management
Cultural and regional studies:
- European studies
- Middle East Studies
- Asia Studies
For more information about the Daad Scholarship for People with Special Needs, how to apply, and the support available, please visit the official website of the “Scholarship for People with Special Needs” which provides more details.
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