Ladoscholar: The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) is the world’s largest academic exchange organisation, and it funds thousands of international students each year. Think of it as Germany’s flagship scholarship brand.
It funds a complete Master’s degree at any German university starting in October 2027. All disciplines are open, from humanities and law to natural sciences, engineering, medicine and economics.
What it offers:
- A monthly scholarship of €992 for 10 to 24 months.
- Health insurance and a travel allowance.
- Tuition fees aren’t covered by DAAD. That’s rarely a problem, since most German public universities charge little or nothing, but check your programme.
Eligibility
Rules vary by programme and by country, but the Study Scholarship generally requires:
- First degree: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent by the start of funding, no more than six years old at the application deadline.
- Time in Germany: You must not have lived in Germany for more than 15 months by the application deadline.
- Programme: A master’s or postgraduate course at a state or state-recognised German university.
- Admission letter: You must obtain and submit an admission letter from the host university before the scholarship-supported study begins..
- STEM track: Applicants who already hold a Master’s by the deadline can’t apply.
How to Apply
- Find the right programme. DAAD has many schemes. Applying to the wrong programme is a common error, since each one has different targets and requirements. Use the official scholarship database and filter by your country and level.
- Check your country-specific deadline.
- Choose your German programmes. Pick courses that fit your goals, and note each university’s own admission rules and deadlines.
- Apply in the DAAD portal. Applications are submitted online via the DAAD portal, using a desktop computer.t.
- Apply separately to universities. Scholarship and university admission are separate steps with separate deadlines.
How to stand out:
- Build a specific study plan. Explain why this course and country fit your goals.
- Show community involvement: volunteering, student groups, mentoring or local projects.
- Link your plans to your future. Panels like applicants who’ll use their studies.
- Keep your CV, letter and study plan consistent with each other.
Key Dates
Dates differ by programme and country, so treat these as a guide:
- Late 2026: Most Study Scholarship deadlines fall between October and November. 30 November 2026 is the general deadline.
- Earlier tracks: Some STEM and development-related courses closed in late August or early September 2026.
- February to March 2027: Selection is expected.
- Around 1 October 2027: Funding normally starts.
Documents Needed
DAAD publishes exact lists per programme, so check yours. Expect to prepare:
- Online application form
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Study plan and list of chosen programmes
- Degree certificates and academic transcripts
- Academic references (confirm the number and format)
- Language certificates (German or English, depending on your course)
- Passport or ID
- Admission letter from your German university (due before funding starts)
Tip: Contact referees early and get official translations done well before the deadline.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying to the wrong DAAD programme. Read each scheme’s target group before you start.
- Assuming one deadline fits all. Deadlines vary by programme and by country.
- Writing a generic study plan. Panels want a specific, realistic reason for your chosen course.
- Ignoring community involvement. It’s part of the assessment, not a bonus.
- Forgetting the university application. You need admission for your course, and it has its own deadline.
- Assuming tuition is covered. Check each university’s fees..
