Germany is one of the most affordable Western European countries for international students, both in terms of living costs and education expenses. In fact, most public universities offer tuition-free education to students.
However, studying abroad involves more than just tuition fees—you’ll need to cover living expenses, accommodation, travel, and more. That’s why scholarships can be a game-changer!
Luckily, Germany offers numerous scholarships for international students through government programs, organizations, universities, and state-specific funding.
| Scholarship Name | Who Can Apply? | Coverage | Requirements | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expatrio Scholarship | International students who applied for the Expatrio Value Package and plan to start studying in Germany in 2025. | €12,000 (1st place), €6,000 (2nd place), €3,000 (3rd place), plus additional prizes for 4th to 10th place winners. | 2-minute video submission explaining: Why are you passionate about your field of study in Germany? | Last cycle’s deadline: Sept 30, 2024. 2025 deadline TBA. |
| DAAD Scholarship Programs | Master’s, Ph.D., and postdoctoral students worldwide. | €992/month (graduates), €1,300/month (Ph.D. students) Travel allowance, health insurance, research funding | Academic excellence, recognized school leaving certificate, language proficiency, work experience. | Varies by program & country (check DAAD website). |
| Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships | Master’s & Ph.D. students of all nationalities studying at German universities. | Master’s (EU): €812/month + €300 study allowance Master’s (Non-EU): €992/month + health insurance Ph.D. (EU/German-educated): €1,450/month + €100 allowance Ph.D. (Non-EU): €1,400/month + €100 mobility allowance + other benefits. | Master’s: First degree certificate, academic & social engagement. Ph.D.: Admission proof, research quality, academic excellence. | March 1st & Sept 1st (applications open 6 weeks before). |
| Deutschlandstipendium National Scholarship | Students currently enrolled or planning to enroll at partner institutions in Germany. | €300/month for at least 2 semesters (€3,600/year), extendable. | High academic performance, social engagement, personal achievements (not based on financial need). | Varies by university (usually June–August). |
| Humboldt Research Fellowship | Postdoctoral researchers in natural sciences, engineering, humanities. | Research funding, living stipend, and travel costs. | Ph.D. completed within last 4 years, strong research proposal. | Rolling applications. |
| TUM Linde / MDSI Master Scholarship | Master’s students at Technical University of Munich (TUM). | Partial tuition coverage + monthly stipend. | Strong academic performance in related fields. | Varies by program. |
| Heidelberg University HAUS Scholarships | U.S. students studying at Heidelberg University. | Tuition support + living stipend. | Based on academic merit & need. | Varies by year. |
| University of Hamburg Merit Scholarships | High-achieving international students. | Monthly stipend for 2 semesters. | High grades & academic performance. | Application windows April & October. |
| Berlin International University Christian Wulff Scholarship | International students at Berlin International University of Applied Sciences. | Partial tuition waiver. | Academic excellence. | Varies. |
| Baden-Württemberg Stiftung | International students studying in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. | Partial tuition & living costs. | Academic excellence & motivation. | Varies by university. |
| Bavaria – Max Weber-Program | Exceptional students in Bavaria. | Financial aid + mentoring program. | Top 1% of students in Bavaria. | Rolling basis. |
| Bavaria – Marianne-Plehn-Program | Ph.D. students in Bavaria. | Monthly stipend. | Strong research proposal. | Rolling basis. |
| Lower Saxony Scholarship (Niedersachsenstipendium) | International students in Lower Saxony. | Monthly stipend. | Based on academic merit. | University-specific deadlines. |
| Berlin – Elsa Neumann Scholarship | Ph.D. students in Berlin. | Research funding + monthly stipend. | Research proposal & academic record. | Rolling basis. |
| ESMT MBA Scholarships | MBA students at ESMT Berlin. | Partial tuition coverage. | Strong academic & leadership profile. | Varies. |
| HHL Leipzig Scholarships | MBA students at HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management. | Partial tuition waiver. | Academic & leadership merit. | Rolling basis. |
| WHU Otto Beisheim Scholarships | MBA students at WHU. | Partial tuition coverage. | Strong academic & professional background. | Varies. |
| Frankfurt School of Finance and Management Scholarships | MBA students at Frankfurt School of Finance. | Need-based & merit-based funding. | Academic & financial need. | Varies. |
| Mannheim Business School Scholarships | International MBA students at Mannheim Business School. | Partial tuition scholarships. | Strong academic & professional experience. | Rolling basis. |
Scholarships Offered by German Universities
- Humboldt Research Fellowship
- TUM Linde / MDSI Master Scholarship
- Heidelberg University HAUS Scholarships
- University of Hamburg Merit Scholarships
- Berlin International University of Applied Sciences Christian Wulff Scholarship
Related Post: DAAD Scholarship 2025
Federal German State-Specific Scholarships
- Baden-Württemberg Stiftung
- Bavaria-Max Weber-Program
- Bavaria-Marianne-Plehn-Program
- The Lower Saxony Scholarship (Niedersachsenstipendium)
- Berlin-Elsa Neumann Scholarship
MBA Scholarships for International Students in Germany
- ESMT MBA Scholarships
- HHL Leipzig Scholarships
- WHU Otto Beisheim Scholarships
- Frankfurt School of Finance and Management Scholarships
- Mannheim Business School Scholarships
Government and Organization-Funded Scholarships
Some of the most generous scholarships in Germany are provided by the government and global organizations, making higher education more accessible to students worldwide.
Here’s a look at the top scholarships in this category:
Expatrio Scholarship
| Who can apply? | Open to international students from all countries who have applied for the Expatrio Value Package and plan to start studying in Germany in 2025.
| What does it cover? Offers three main prizes: €12,000 (1st place), €6,000 (2nd place), and €3,000 (3rd place), with additional awards for 4th to 10th place winners.
| Requirements | Submit a 2-minute video (mp4 format) answering: Why are you passionate about the field of study you are pursuing in Germany? (No copyrighted content allowed.). |
| Deadline | Last year’s deadline was September 30, 2024. The 2025 scholarship cycle is yet to be announced.
➡ Apply for the Expatrio Scholarship
DAAD Scholarship Programs
Who can apply? Open to master’s, Ph.D., and postdoctoral students from around the world
| What does it cover? Fully funded scholarships include:
Monthly stipend: €992 (graduates), €1,300 (Ph.D. students)
Travel allowances
Health insurance coverage
Annual study/research allowances |
| Requirements | Academic excellence, recognized school leaving certificate, language proficiency, and relevant work experience or internships.
| Deadline | Varies by program and country—check the official DAAD website for updates. |
Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships
Who can apply? Open to master’s and Ph.D. students from all nationalities, studying at German universities.
What does it cover?
1. Master’s students (EU): €812/month + €300 study allowance
2. Master’s students (Non-EU): €992/month + health insurance & additional benefits
3. Doctoral students (EU & German educated): €1,450/month + €100 allowance
4. Doctoral students (Non-EU): €1,400/month + €100 mobility allowance + additional benefits |
| Requirements | Academic excellence, social engagement, motivation, and proof of admission to doctoral studies (for Ph.D. applicants). |
| Deadline | Two annual deadlines: March 1st and September 1st. Applications open 6 weeks before each deadline.
➡ Apply for the Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships
Deutschlandstipendium National Scholarship Program
| Who can apply? | Students currently enrolled or planning to enroll at a partner institution in Germany.
| What does it cover? | €300/month for at least 2 semesters (€3,600/year), with possible extension. |
| Requirements | Selection based on:
High academic performance
Social engagement
Personal achievements
(Not based on financial need—does NOT affect BAföG grants.). |
| Deadline | Varies by university (typically June–August for the academic year). |
➡ Apply for the Deutschlandstipendium
More Scholarships for International Students in Germany
Germany offers numerous scholarships at the university and state levels. Here are a few more worth exploring:
Scholarships by German Universities
- Humboldt Research Fellowship: For postdoctoral researchers in natural sciences, engineering, and humanities.
- TUM Linde/MDSI Master Scholarship: For students pursuing a master’s degree at TUM.
- Heidelberg University HAUS Scholarships: For American students studying at Heidelberg University.
- University of Hamburg Merit Scholarships: Recognizing high-achieving international students.
- Berlin International University of Applied Sciences Christian Wulff Scholarship: For outstanding international students at BIU.
Federal German State-Specific Scholarships
- Baden-Württemberg Stiftung: Supports international students in Baden-Württemberg.
- Bavaria: Max Weber-Program & Marianne-Plehn-Program: Scholarships for top-performing students in Bavaria.
- The Lower Saxony Scholarship: Aids international students in Lower Saxony.
- Berlin-Elsa Neumann Scholarship—For doctoral students in Berlin.
MBA Scholarships in Germany
- ESMT MBA Scholarships—For students at ESMT Berlin.
- HHL Leipzig Scholarships: Supports MBA students at HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management.
- WHU Otto Beisheim Scholarships: For high-achieving MBA students.
- Frankfurt School of Finance and Management Scholarships: Need- and merit-based MBA funding.
- Mannheim Business School Scholarships: For outstanding international MBA applicants.
Final Thoughts
Studying in Germany can be incredibly affordable and rewarding if you secure the right scholarship. Whether you’re pursuing a master’s, Ph.D., or MBA, there are plenty of funding options available.
Start your application early, meet the requirements, and take advantage of these opportunities to make your dream of studying in Germany a reality!
