There are many ways to finance your studies in Germany. Students from Europe can take advantage of the Erasmus+ programme. To find out which programme is right for you, we recommend checking out the DAAD’s scholarship database.
A wide range of institutions in Germany offer scholarships to international students, e.g. the DAAD, party-affiliated foundations, religious organisations and commercial enterprises. You can also look into scholarships or other funding opportunities available in your home country.
The DAAD offers many scholarship programmes targeted at German and foreign students, graduates and researchers. Please note that the DAAD and most other institutions for that matter do not provide scholarships for entire degree programmes, i.e. from the first to the last semester. The selection process is very rigorous and first-time students are rarely eligible for funding. You should bear in mind that no applicant is ever entitled to a scholarship!
Using the DAAD database, you can search for specific types of scholarships – and not only those offered by the DAAD, but other funding organisations as well. You can find the scholarship database on the DAAD website.
If you come from one of the 28 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Turkey or Macedonia, there are a number of special exchange programmes for which you can apply. One example is the Erasmus+ programme.
Erasmus+ provides scholarships for periods of study and internships abroad for three to twelve months (for studying only) or for two to twelve months (for internships only). Depending on your phase of study, you may be eligible for a total of twelve months of Erasmus+ funding. You can receive this funding per each cycle of your studies.
More information about Erasmus+
Erasmus+ is a new programme, funded by the European Union, which promotes European student exchange, general and professional education, youth and sports.
Erasmus+ is funding multiple, study-related visits (studies and internships) in bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programmes abroad between 3 to 12 months. The same student may receive grants for studying or being trained abroad totalling up to 12 months maximum per each cycle of study - summing up to a total of 3 years! Graduate-level internships, credit-financed mobility programmes for master’s students, and internships for prospective teachers at schools in Germany are also eligible for funding.
You can obtain more information and assistance with application procedures and submission deadlines from the International Office at your university, the Erasmus+ website and the Erasmus+ national agency in your country.
With Erasmus+, you receive a scholarship instalment each month. Your home university determines the exact amount according to guidelines provided by the European Commission. As an Erasmus+ student, you are exempt from paying tuition fees at your host university.
The conditions and requirements for student exchange are stipulated in bilateral agreements between universities. This means that if you wish to apply for Erasmus+ funding to study in Germany, you will be a guest student at a partner university, with which your home university has signed an Erasmus+ agreement. Internships at various organisations and companies are also eligible for funding.
