Guide to the DAAD Scholarship: Fully Funded Study in Germany
Funding & Scholarships

Guide to the DAAD Scholarship: Fully Funded Study in Germany

By Insights TeamUpdated May 202615 min read
⚡ Key Takeaway

The DAAD scholarship is Germany’s most generous funding program for international Master’s and PhD students. A fully funded package covers €934/month for living costs, insurance, and travel allowances, meaning you do not need a Blocked Account.

While many public universities in Germany are tuition-free, international students still need to cover their living expenses. In Germany, this requires proving you have access to a blocked account holding at least €11,904 for your first year.

For many students, that upfront cost is a barrier. Fortunately, Germany offers some of the most generous international funding programs in the world, the most prominent being the DAAD scholarship.

If you’re wondering how to get a scholarship to study in Germany, this guide will break down the exact DAAD scholarship requirements, what a fully funded package looks like, and how to write a winning application.

What is the DAAD Scholarship?

DAAD stands for Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (German Academic Exchange Service). It is the world’s largest funding organization for the international exchange of students and researchers.

Unlike a single university scholarship, DAAD acts as an umbrella organization offering hundreds of different scholarship programs targeted at specific countries, academic fields, and degree levels.

What Does a Fully Funded Scholarship in Germany Cover?

A typical fully funded German scholarship package from the DAAD includes:

  • A monthly stipend to cover living costs (currently €934 for Master’s students and €1,200 for PhD candidates).
  • Payments towards health, accident, and personal liability insurance.
  • A travel allowance to cover flights from your home country to Germany.
  • An annual study allowance (usually around €460).
  • In many cases, funding for a preparatory German language course (2-6 months) before your studies begin.
💡 Visa Benefit

Crucially, if you receive a DAAD scholarship, you do not need to open a Blocked Account for your student visa. The scholarship award letter is sufficient proof of financial resources.

DAAD Scholarship Requirements

Because there are so many individual programs under the DAAD umbrella (e.g., EPOS, Helmut-Schmidt, RISE), requirements vary. However, there are baseline criteria that apply to almost all graduate-level DAAD scholarships:

  • 🎓

    Academic Excellence

    You typically need to graduate in the top 30% of your Bachelor’s degree cohort.

  • ⏳

    Degree Freshness

    For most programs, your last academic degree must not be older than 6 years.

  • 🗣️

    Language Proficiency

    English-taught degrees: A valid IELTS (usually 6.5+). German-taught: B1/B2 (DSH or TestDaF).

  • 💼

    Work Experience (Program-Specific)

    Some specialized programs (like EPOS) require at least two years of relevant professional work experience.

Note: DAAD rarely offers scholarships for undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degrees, except for short-term summer courses. The vast majority of funding is reserved for Master’s and PhD students.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply

1. Find the Right Program

Go to the official DAAD Scholarship Database. Filter by your home country, academic level, and subject. Read the specific call for applications very carefully.

2. Prepare Your Documents

A standard DAAD application requires:

  • Europass CV: A standardized, chronologically structured European CV without any unexplained gaps.
  • Letter of Motivation: Max 1-2 pages explaining your goals.
  • Letter of Recommendation: Usually from a university professor. Must have an official letterhead, signature, and stamp.
  • Transcripts and Certificates: Translated into English or German.

3. Apply to the University AND the DAAD

Depending on the program, you may need to apply directly to the university first, and then to the DAAD portal. In other programs, you send the DAAD application directly to the university alongside your course application. Check the specific guidelines!

How to Write a Winning Letter of Motivation

The competition for a DAAD scholarship is fierce. Your Letter of Motivation (LoM) is the most critical part of your application. Here is how to stand out:

  • Be Specific About Germany: Don’t just say “Germany is a good place to study.” Explain exactly why this specific university and program in Germany is the only place you can achieve your goals.
  • Show the Impact: DAAD is heavily focused on capacity building. Explain how you will use the knowledge gained in Germany to contribute to your home country’s development or field of research upon your return.
  • Connect Past to Future: Clearly draw a line from your past academic/work experience, to the Master’s program you are applying for, to your 5-year and 10-year career goals.

Other Scholarship Options in Germany

If you don’t qualify for the DAAD, don’t worry. There are other funding avenues:

Deutschlandstipendium
A merit-based scholarship offered by universities themselves. It pays €300 per month and is co-funded by private sponsors and the German government.
Political Foundations
Organizations like the Heinrich Böll, Konrad Adenauer, and Friedrich Ebert Foundations offer generous scholarships to students who show sociopolitical engagement.
Erasmus+
If you are already studying in a European university, you can get an Erasmus grant to fund an exchange semester or a joint Master’s degree in Germany.
⚠️ Start Early

Securing a scholarship requires months of preparation. Start looking into the DAAD database at least a year before you intend to travel!

Ready to move forward?

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German Student Visa Requirements
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