If you dream of studying in Germany for free and are looking for scholarship opportunities in Germany, continue reading the following article. Germany is one of the most affordable European countries for international students when it comes to studying. Germany is known for its accredited and excellent education system and reasonable tuition fees, but it also has a high cost of living. Germany boasts many top universities and excellent infrastructure.
Germany attracts approximately 3,50,000 international students annually who wish to study at German universities. The cost of studying in Germany is quite reasonable compared to some other European countries. However, international students may find it somewhat difficult to cover their living expenses, which can reach approximately €1,200 per month. Therefore, there are many financial aid options available to international students to cover their living costs, and scholarships are one of them. In this list from the Universities Education platform, we help you, dear student, explore your options for studying through scholarships in Germany.
Types of scholarships in Germany
There are numerous free scholarships available for international students in Germany. These scholarships can be truly beneficial for students who are financially unable to attend and can ease their financial burden. The two main types of scholarships in Germany are:
- Fully funded German government scholarships.
- German non-governmental scholarships.
Fully Funded German Government Scholarships
These free scholarships are primarily funded by the German government. Government scholarships are readily available, and the amount of the scholarship is generally determined based on the student's financial situation on an annual basis. Financial support for the scholarship typically ranges from €150 to €800 per month for 12 months.
Below are some of the most popular fully-funded German government scholarship programs.
1- DAAD Germany Scholarship
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers the DAAD Scholarship Germany to international students to facilitate their study in Germany. DAAD scholarships are highly popular, and the organization offers 215 scholarships and funding opportunities for international students. These scholarships assist more than 100,000 German and international students and researchers. DAAD scholarships are among the fully-funded scholarships in Germany.
View the scholarship: DAAD Scholarships in Germany for International Students (Fully Funded)
2- Erasmus Scholarship Programs in Germany
The Erasmus Germany Scholarship is the largest scholarship provider in the European Union and is funded by the European Commission. Under the Erasmus scholarship, the average monthly grant awarded to a student can reach €350. The Erasmus Germany Scholarship also provides funding for international students to study in EU countries. See the scholarship: Erasmus Scholarship 2025 to Study in Europe (Application Steps)
Fully Funded German Non-Governmental Scholarships
Fully funded non-government scholarships from Germany simply mean that these scholarships are not funded by the government, but rather by other entities and institutions. Below is a list of some popular non-governmental German scholarships:
1- SBW Berlin Scholarships in Germany
SBW BERLIN 2025 presents Free scholarships in Germany For undergraduate and graduate students, the scholarship provides a monthly stipend for the duration of study at a university in Berlin, Germany. Learn more about the scholarship at the following link: SBW Berlin Scholarship 2025 in Germany (Fully Funded)
2- Heinrich Böll Scholarships for International Students
The Foundation offers Heinrich Boll Scholarships for international students, including refugees, at all degree levels. The foundation primarily awards scholarships to students planning to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, particularly programs focused on environmental science.
Other German scholarships are also awarded to students planning to study journalism, economics or law, and arts degrees.
3- Bayer Foundations
Grant Bayer Foundation Free German scholarships are available for students planning to undertake various research projects, for both German and international students. The only requirement is that students must demonstrate excellent academic results, and the student's research project must focus on an innovative idea and approach.
4- Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Scholarships
International students planning to study for a master's or doctoral degree in Germany are eligible for the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Scholarships. However, applicants must be under 30 years old and must have completed a university degree in their home country. Applicants must also present outstanding academic grades and be actively involved in volunteer work that benefits society in their home country.
5- The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung
This organization awards German scholarships to German and international students interested in social and political issues. One of the most important requirements for eligibility is that applicants must have above-average academic results.
During this fully-funded scholarship, students can receive up to €1,000 per month, which can cover registration fees, health insurance, required monthly books, and other study materials. View the scholarship: Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship in Germany (Fully Funded)
6- Mawista Scholarship
These fully-funded German scholarships are offered to applicants planning to study abroad during their childcare period. The scholarship provides funding of approximately €500 per month.
6- Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) for Developing Countries
These German scholarships are open to researchers relocating to Europe from other parts of the world. They are provided to international students planning to pursue postdoctoral research in Germany, and the total funding of the scholarship can reach €15,000 per year.
Apart from the non-governmental scholarships available for international students as mentioned above, there are many other scholarships available.
Different ways to finance your studies in Germany
Students can apply for financial assistance from various German party-affiliated institutions such as:
- Friedrich Naumann Foundation
- Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung
Students can also seek financial assistance from religious organizations in Germany such as:
- Kusanosuik.
- KAAD scholarships in Germany for developing countries.
- Villigst and the Evangelical Student Community.
- Evangelical Study Association
Scholarships offered by German universities
Students can find various university scholarships in Germany that can provide them with some financial support. Here are some scholarships offered by German universities:
1- Heidelberg University Scholarships
It is considered Heidelberg University One of the most famous German universities, it offers numerous scholarships to international students in various fields.
The most important of these grants are: International Ambassador Scholarship for Undergraduate Students, which is awarded upon admission and is based on the student's academic performance in high school.
2- Hamburg University of Applied Sciences Scholarships
progress University of Hamburg Scholarships for international students of up to €400 per month or funding for four months or a semester.
3- RWTH Aachen University Scholarships
RWTH University offers several scholarships to students that can provide various financial benefits. The university covers up to 50% of tuition fees for selected scholarship recipients.
4- Humboldt University International Research Fellowship
University progress Humboldt Fellowship for international students pursuing research in history, anthropology, law, sociology, political science, geography, economics, or area studies.
5- Leipzig Graduate Scholarship for Management Studies
Leipzig Graduate School of Management offers scholarships or financial aid to students enrolled in various Master's courses.
6- Full funding for PhD tuition fees at Frankfurt School of Finance and Management
This scholarship is offered at the Frankfurt School of Finance to doctoral students studying an English-taught program at the university. It also applies to students studying mathematics, finance, accounting, and business administration.
- Note: There are many scholarships available at German universities that you can apply for. You can find information about specific scholarships on the university's official website. Each university has a special section for financial aid and grants for international students.
Scholarships in Germany By degree
Scholarships in Germany are available for every type of degree, whether it's a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree. Take a look at some popular free scholarships for each type of degree:
1- Fully funded scholarships for a bachelor’s degree in Germany
Bachelor's degrees in Germany are offered free of charge, meaning students do not have to pay tuition fees, with the exception of Baden-Württemberg.
However, students are required to pay the semester fees after completing each semester, and the semester fees may vary depending on the university.
Here are some scholarships in Germany for undergraduate students:
- Technical University of Munich - Oskar Karl Foster Scholarship for Books and Learning Materials in Germany 2025.
- Ambedkar Overseas Vidya Nidhi Scholarship for SC 2025 (For Indian Nationals).
- Local and international government scholarships at Munich Business School.
- Bavarian Government Scholarship DAAD at Hochschule Hof Germany.
- KAS Germany Foundation Scholarship.
- Leaky Foundation: Joan Cogswell Donner Scholarship for students from around the world.
Dear student, you can find various other scholarships for undergraduate degrees in Germany, which offer partial or full funding.
You can also apply for any scholarship in Germany for undergraduate students as you find it useful. Fully funded scholarships will definitely help you reduce your living costs as an undergraduate student in Germany.
2- Master's degree scholarships in Germany
Students are required to pay certain tuition fees for master's degree courses in Germany. Some international students may find it difficult to pay tuition fees in addition to the cost of living in Germany. Therefore, there are various scholarships available for master's studies in Germany, which may be fully or partially funded.
Here are some of the scholarships available for pursuing a master's degree in Germany:
- DAAD Scholarships for Development-Related Postgraduate Studies.
- DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme Scholarship (Master of Public Policy Scholarship).
- Heinrich Boll Scholarships in Germany for International Students.
- Goethe Goes Global Master's Scholarships.
This was one of the most popular scholarships in Germany for master's degrees. The DAAD government scholarships are among the fully-funded master's scholarships in Germany for international students.
You can apply for DAAD scholarships by referring to the official DAAD website.
3- PhD scholarships in Germany
Among the many funding options, fellowships, and scholarships, there are several well-known PhD scholarships in Germany for international students. The most important of these are:
- DAAD scholarships for research studies.
- Stipendienlotse grants for doctoral students.
- International Doctoral Scholarships at the University of Cologne.
Students can also find the many scholarships available by searching online, checking the official websites of universities, or checking the DAAD scholarship database.
Applying for scholarships in Germany
Now that you've learned about scholarships in Germany, it's important to remember that obtaining a free scholarship is highly competitive. Therefore, be sure to do your research and apply for the scholarships you believe you can qualify for.
Students can also apply for other part-time jobs for international students in Germany or internships to get some financial assistance if they fail to get a scholarship.
Most frequently asked questions
How do I search for scholarships in Germany?
You can find various scholarships in Germany by searching online, inquiring at your university, referring to the scholarship section on their website, or checking out the DAAD scholarship programs.
Is it easy to get a free scholarship in Germany?
It can be difficult at times, but it depends on the organization offering the scholarship. In general, German scholarship requirements are not prohibitive.
Are scholarships in Germany fully funded?
Yes, there are many free scholarships in Germany, which cover all tuition fees, health insurance, housing, and other study costs.
