The Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (or German Academic Exchange Service) is one of the world’s largest international study agencies. It promotes German higher education and study opportunities around the world, with offices in numerous countries.
This breadth of coverage means that the DAAD should usually be your first port of call for international Masters funding in Germany. Various DAAD scholarships are offered to fund study in Germany by students from specific countries.
DAAD United Kingdom – Study Scholarship for Postgraduate Students
DAAD’s London office administers a scholarship for current students of British or Irish universities to study a Masters in Germany. This funding provides up to €934 per month, as well as coverage for travel expenses.
You can apply regardless of nationality, provided you are studying (or have studied) your first degree in the UK or Ireland. All subject areas are eligible, but some have specific application criteria.
Further information is available from DAAD United Kingdom.
DAAD America – Study Scholarships
DAAD’s American office organises exchanges between Germany and the USA. This includes support for American students seeking to fund a Masters in Germany.
Funding is usually available for either a full Masters degree programme, or for a year of postgraduate study abroad in Germany (including the second year of a Masters degree in progress).
The scholarship provides a stipend of €934 per month, plus travel expenses. In addition, the DAAD will usually provide healthcare coverage and may also assist with accommodation in some cases.
More information about these scholarships for postgraduate study in Germany is available from DAAD America.
Masters funding for Indian students in Germany
There are lots of different funding options and scholarships for Indian students (many of which are also available to people from developing countries). The DAAD maintains a useful database of scholarships that you can use to search for other sources of German Masters funding for Indian students.
Combined Study and Practice Stays for Engineers from Developing Countries (KOSPIE) with Indian IITs
This scholarship allows Masters students from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to complete a study exchange at one of Germany’s TU9 universities (some of the country’s leading technical universities).
The funding allows Indian students to spend a semester in Germany under the supervision of a local professor, working on a project that will contribute to their dissertation. The benefits include:
- 861 euros (INR 0.7 Lakh) monthly living stipend
- German language classes
- Research allowance
- Health insurance
- Travel expenses
Find out more about the KOSPIE scholarship.
Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS)
This funding is available to graduates from developing countries (such as India) who have a professional background in development policy. It’s available for a selection of Masters degrees (PDF) at some of Germany’s top universities. Depending on the course, the funding has a duration of between 12 months and 42 months.
The EPOS programme provides scholarship holders with:
- 934 euros (INR 0.7 Lakh) monthly living stipend
- Health insurance
- Travel expenses
Find out more about EPOS.
Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (Masters Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance – PPGG)
The Helmut-Schmidt-Programme provides postgraduate funding for students from developing countries like India to study a Masters in a subject that could promote democracy and social justice back home.
If successful, you’ll receive:
- A tuition fee waiver
- 934 euros (INR 0.76 Lakh) per month
- Health insurance
- Travel expenses
- German language classes
Find out more about the PPGG scholarship.
Friedrich Ebert Foundation – Scholarship for International Students
Scholarships from the Friedrich Ebert Foundation are available for talented students from the Global South to study in any subject area. Although you can choose to study in English, you’ll need to show that you have sufficient German language skills (in fact, much of the application is in German).
The benefits of a Friedrich Ebert Scholarship include:
- 850 euros (INR 0.7 Lakh) monthly living stipend
- Health insurance
Find out more about the Friedrich Ebert Scholarships.
DAAD funding in other countries
In total there are 15 DAAD offices around the world, as well as numerous other administrative centres. This means that DAAD funding for Masters study in Germany is probably available to you, wherever you live.
To find out about funding for students in your country, take a look at the country index on the DAAD website.