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Fully Funded Scholarships in Germany for International Students

Updated on 19 September, 2024

Fully Funded Scholarships in Germany

Germany is among the most affordable countries in Europe to study in. Yet fully funded scholarships in Germany are considered by several international students.

Germany is home to numerous prestigious universities that rank highly in the most recent QS World University Rankings. A growing number of postgraduate programs are offered in English. International students can apply for numerous scholarships from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to study in Germany at different levels of study.

The European Commission is in charge of Erasmus+, the biggest program that offers scholarships to study in the EU and pays for foreign students to do so. It offers financial aid to cover living expenses for participants in study abroad programs in Europe. There are also several options for fully funded scholarships in Germany for Indian students.

Numerous non-governmental organizations have developed their own scholarship programs in order to assist foreign students in pursuing a course of their choice in Germany.

You should give this careful attention and investigation because scholarships might ease the process of studying abroad. Certain institutions offer internal scholarships to help students who are enrolled in their courses financially.

What are the Types of Scholarships in Germany?

Three scholarships are offered to foreign students who wish to study in Germany for a higher degree.

Government Funded Scholarships

The two government-funded scholarships for international students that the German government offers are quite well-liked.

  • DAAD Scholarship: International students pursuing different degrees in Germany are eligible to apply for a number of scholarships from the German Academy Exchange Service (DAAD). In order to be eligible for the scholarship, a student must adhere to specific guidelines and requirements.
  • Erasmus+: One of the biggest scholarship programs for overseas students hoping to study in Europe is Erasmus+. The Erasmus+ scholarship program has specific qualifying requirements, just like the DAAD.

Non-Government Scholarships

Numerous non-governmental organizations have developed their own scholarship programs in order to assist foreign students in pursuing a course of their choice in Germany. Among them are:

  • Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships: this scholarship is available to developing country students who want to study postdoctoral research in Germany and pursue higher education. The European Commission provides funding for the Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships initiative.
  • Kurt Hansen Science Scholarships: The Bayer Foundation is providing funding for this international student scientific award. Additionally, it provides scholarships to individuals pursuing degrees in scientific education with a focus on teaching. 

German University Scholarship:

Scholarship programs that are exclusive to a single German institution are known as university-specific scholarships. Some scholarship programs that are exclusive to a university are:

  • The FRIAS Cofund Fellowship Programme for International Researchers: Thisis a scholarship given to international students attending Universität Freiburg who are enrolled in research-level programs.
  • KAAD Scholarships for Developing Countries: To be eligible for this scholarship, you must meet the following requirements:
    • The student needs to come from a developing nation (in Latin America, Asia, Africa, or the Middle East);
    • The candidate must choose to enroll in a master's or doctoral program at a German university;
    • The student must be a practicing Catholic Christian and proficient in the German language.

Explore: Top Scholarships in Germany for Indian Students

List of Fully Funded Scholarships in Germany for Indian Students 2024

Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarships in Germany

With the exception of the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, bachelor's degrees are granted without charge in Germany. Nonetheless, upon the conclusion of each semester, students are required to pay semester fees. The cost of the semester may change according to the university.

The following are a few fully funded scholarships for international students in Germany:

Technical University of Munich - Oskar Karl Forster Scholarship for Books and Learning materials in Germany 2021

This scholarship fund is made accessible through the TUM and is managed by the state of Bavaria on behalf of the late Consul Oskar Karl Forster. Financial assistance for books and study materials for students eligible for BAföG assistance who have non-German university entry certificates as well as those with German university entrance certificates.

Ambedkar Overseas Vidya Nidhi Scholarship for SC 2021 (For Indian nationals)

The Ambedkar AP Overseas Vidya Nidhi Scholarship is an effort by the Welfare Department of the Government of Andhra Pradesh to help students from the state's reserved category finish their education at prestigious universities and colleges in Germany and other nations.

Domestic and International state grants at Munich Business School

The grant will reimburse qualified applicants for bachelor's or master's degrees who are admitted into MBS's applied program, up to a certain amount depending on their living circumstances at the time of application.

DAAD Bavarian Government Scholarship at Hochschule Hof, Germany

The scholarships will give international students extra money to pay living expenses and study supplies while they are enrolled at Hochschule Hof. The scholarship is contingent upon the available funds for that particular semester. It ranges from 100,00 to 659,00 euros a month.

KAS Foundation Scholarship, Germany

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) supports international students' higher education at German universities as well as that of German citizens. Through the KAS scholarship program, students can expand their specialized knowledge while earning a degree from a German university.

Other bachelor's degree scholarships are available in Germany. These scholarships provide either full or partial assistance. Any undergraduate scholarship in Germany that you think might be beneficial is open to your application. You will undoubtedly be able to lower your living expenses as an undergraduate in Germany with the assistance of the scholarships.

Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships in Germany 

In Germany, tuition fees are charged to students enrolled in master's degree programs. For some international students, the cost of living in Germany combined with the tuition can be too much to bear. Thus, there are numerous master's scholarships available in Germany. There could be either full or partial funding for the scholarships.

The following are a few fully funded master’s scholarships for international students in Germany:

DAAD Scholarships for Development-related postgraduate courses

Participants from developing nations can apply for individual scholarships under the EPOS program to study postgraduate courses in development at specific German universities. This applies to fully funded MBA scholarships in Germany.

DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (Master’s scholarship for public policy and good governance)

Future leaders from developing nations (see list of nations) who wish to advance social justice and democracy in their own countries are supported by the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme, also known as Public Policy and Good Governance. The German Federal Foreign Office-funded program provides the opportunity to earn a Master's degree in subjects that are especially pertinent to the social, political, and economic advancement of the participants' home countries.

Heinrich Boll Scholarships in Germany for international students

Approximately 1500 undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate students, representing all subjects and nationalities, receive scholarships from the Heinrich Böll Foundation each year to pursue degrees at universities, universities of applied sciences (also known as "Fachhochschulen"), or universities of the arts (also known as "Kunst-Musikhochschulen").

Goethe Goes Global - Masters Scholarships

This year, the popular master's scholarship "Goethe Goes Global" is reaching a wider audience. While it was previously limited to applicants for 20 programs, over 80 programs—that is, all of the Goethe university's master's programs in succession—are now eligible. Students with a strong interest in research and who graduated with honors from an international university continue to be the target group for masters fully funded scholarship in Germany.

Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in Germany

Among the many grants, fellowships, and financial opportunities available, consider the renowned PhD scholarships in Germany for international students. Here is a list of fully funded PhD scholarships in Germany:

DAAD Scholarships for research studies 

Graduates, doctorate candidates, and postdocs are the main recipients of DAAD scholarships, which are given for study and research visits to German universities and non-university research institutions. Certain programs also provide funding for internships. 

Humboldt Research Fellowship

International students can apply for fully supported Humboldt Research Fellowships. Only post-doctoral studies are eligible for these awards. A monthly fellowship of 3,150 EUR is awarded as part of this fellowship, and additional funding is available for accompanying family members and belongings.

University of Cologne International Doctoral Scholarships

A three-year PhD scholarship is available from the University of Cologne (UoC) to deserving students with a master's degree in political science, economics, sociology, statistics, or methods.

Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarships 

International students can apply for the fully financed Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarship. Scholarships for master's and doctoral courses are available. Students who qualify for this award will get PhD fully funded scholarships in Germany for the length of the program.

How to Apply for a Fully Funded Scholarship in Germany

Studying abroad is an exciting but often intimidating prospect. More so because, in order to continue with their further education, students must focus on and investigate a few topics. Thus, the following is a step-by-step guide to help you in your search for fully funded scholarship in Germany:

  • Discuss your ambitions to study in Germany with friends, acquaintances, and family and get their recommendations. Since going abroad to further your education is a major step, don't be afraid to ask for assistance. For the best guidance on these matters, you can also speak with professors, counselors, and administration officers at your current college.
  • It's important to look around for the greatest scholarships before submitting an application. varied scholarships have varied requirements for qualifying; some may be university- or location-specific. Make sure you meet the requirements for the scholarship you are applying for before submitting your application.
  • You can visit the scholarship provider's website or get in touch with them to get all the specifics of the program. This will provide you a clearer picture of how the scholarship will support your study abroad endeavors.
  • You may feel pressure to submit as many scholarship applications as possible in one sitting. But this could backfire on you. Make sure you carefully complete the applications and include accurate information.
  • It can be time-consuming to maintain track of all your applications if you are applying for several scholarships. Thus, keep a strict calendar and monitor the application's progress.

What is the Role of Scholarships for Studying in Germany?

In Germany, public colleges typically do not charge tuition, therefore receiving a scholarship means having additional money to support your time as a student. 

This is in contrast to other nations where funding and scholarships are allocated toward the expensive tuition prices. In addition to covering your rent, groceries, and other living expenses, the money is intended to allow you to fully focus on your studies by allowing you to purchase study-related equipment. 

When applying for a visa, a full scholarship is also considered as evidence of your financial capability.

Which are the Top Universities Offering Scholarships in Germany?

Numerous Germany University scholarships are available to students, offering them some modest financial assistance. Check out a few of the scholarships that German universities are offering:

Heidelberg University:

In Germany, Heidelberg University enjoys a high level of popularity among students. It provides international students studying a range of subjects with different scholarships. Undergraduate scholarships for international ambassadors are among the examples. This scholarship is given out at the time of enrollment and is determined by the student's high school academic standing.

Hamburg University: 

International students can apply for scholarships from Hamburg University worth up to EUR 400 each month, four months, or semester.

RWTH University: 

The RWTH University provides its students with numerous scholarships that offer a range of financial advantages. The institution will reimburse the chosen students who get the scholarship for up to 50% of their tuition costs.

Humboldt University: 

For international students undertaking study in history, anthropology, law, sociology, political science, geography, economics, or area studies, Humboldt University grants fellowships.

Leipzig Graduate School of Management: 

Financial aid or scholarships are available from Leipzig Graduate School of Management to students enrolled in a range of MSc courses.

Frankfurt School of Finance: 

The Frankfurt School of Finance is offering this grant to doctorate candidates enrolled in the University's English-taught program. Students studying business administration, accounting, finance, and mathematics can use it.

Conclusion

For students like you, education in Germany is quite appealing because of its substantial scholarship program and reasonable cost of tuition. Each year, thousands of scholars are supported by scholarships for international students in Germany, such as the DAAD scholarship for MS in Germany. So, it's time to look into the numerous scholarship options offered in this nation if the cost of tuition is keeping you from pursuing your dream of attending one of the best colleges in Germany.

Here are some detailed articles on Fully Funded Scholarships for top Study Abroad Destination:

FAQs

What is the difference between fully funded and partially funded scholarships?

Full-tuition scholarships pay the whole cost of tuition for the length of the course. Partial scholarships only pay a portion of the tuition; this portion may be a set sum of money or a percentage of the whole cost.

Can I get a 100% scholarship to study in Germany?

Indeed, there are fully financed undergraduate scholarships available in Germany, like the Bayer Foundation Scholarship and the Deutschlandstipendium Scholarship. These scholarships help pay living expenses and tuition for international students pursuing bachelor's degrees.

How can an Indian student get a scholarship to study in Germany?

There are 18 DAAD scholarships available for Indian students as of 2024, of which 6 are for individuals who wish to study in Germany for a degree (other than a PhD).

Can I get a scholarship in Germany without IELTS?

For international students without IELTS, numerous scholarships are available in Germany. 

Is Germany a good option for Indian students?

Indian students who study in Germany have the opportunity to participate in this vibrant labor market and pursue fulfilling jobs. Even better, you can work while you're a student to earn experience and help pay for living expenses.

What is a full-ride scholarship?

A full ride scholarship is one that pays for all educational costs. It covers living expenses as well as accommodation and board, books, fees, and tuition. Eliminating the need for further financial assistance is the aim. 

How much percentage is required for a scholarship in Germany?

The percentage needed to be eligible for a scholarship in Germany varies depending on the university and program. Typically, it takes an excellent academic record—roughly 70–80% or above.

How can I increase my chances of getting a scholarship in Germany?

Make several simultaneous scholarship applications to improve your chances of being awarded a scholarship for a German university. This entails investigating scholarships provided by universities or private organizations in addition to those supported by the government.

Did you find this article helpful?

Jyotsna Singh

With over a decade of expertise in international education, Jyotsna has held impactful roles at the British Council, Unilodgers, a prominent UK university, and IDP Education, empowering countless students by not only enhancing their educational experiences but also by offering them guidance in securing essential scholarships and financial aid. She is dedicated to helping students achieve their academic goals through tailored guidance and financial support.

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