DAAD Scholarship Germany: Requirements and How to Apply

Do you want to study in one of the most advanced, affordable, and academically respected countries in the world, Germany?

With the DAAD Scholarship, you can do that for free.

The DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) is the German Academic Exchange Service. It offers fully funded scholarships to international students from developing and emerging countries to study postgraduate or master’s degrees in Germany.

This scholarship covers tuition fees, monthly living expenses, travel, health insurance, and more — making it one of the most attractive global opportunities for higher education.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• What the DAAD Scholarship is all about

• Which students are eligible

• The documents and academic requirements

• How to apply (step-by-step)

• Tips for a successful application

• Key deadlines and final thoughts

What is the DAAD Scholarship?

The DAAD Scholarship is a fully funded opportunity that supports talented students, professionals, and future leaders from all over the world to pursue graduate programs in Germany.

The most popular DAAD program is:

“Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS)”

This program allows applicants to study master’s and some PhD programs in areas like:

• Engineering

• Environmental Sciences

• Public Policy

• Business Administration

• Health and Medicine

• Economics

• Social Sciences

• Agricultural and Forestry Sciences

What Does the DAAD Scholarship Cover?

🟢 Full Tuition Fees
🟢 Monthly Stipend: €934 for master’s, €1,200 for PhD students
🟢 Health, Accident & Personal Liability Insurance
🟢 Travel Allowance (round trip)
🟢 Study & Research Allowances
🟢 Rent Subsidy (if needed)
🟢 Support for Spouses or Children (if applicable)
🟢 Preparatory German Language Course (6 months)

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for DAAD, you must meet these general conditions:

✅ Nationality:

You must be a citizen of a developing or newly industrialized country, based on the OECD DAC List.

✅ Academic Qualification:

You must have a Bachelor’s degree (usually in a related field). In most cases:

• Your degree should not be older than 6 years

• You must have scored above average (usually a second class upper minimum)

✅ Work Experience:

At least 2 years of professional experience after your first degree. This can include:

• NGO work

• Government service

• Corporate work

• Volunteering or internships (if full-time and relevant)

✅ Language Requirements:

• English-taught programs: IELTS (minimum 6.0), TOEFL (minimum 80)

• German-taught programs: German proficiency (TestDaF or DSH)

Step-by-Step DAAD Application Process

Step 1: Choose Eligible Courses

Go to the official DAAD database:
🔗 www.daad.de/epos

Search for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS).

Choose up to 3 eligible courses. Read each course’s specific requirements carefully (language, GPA, experience, documents).

Step 2: Prepare Required Documents

You will need:

📌 DAAD Application Form (available online)
📌 Motivation Letter (1-2 pages, tailored to each course)
📌 Curriculum Vitae (use Europass format)
📌 Academic Transcripts and Degree Certificates
📌 Two Letters of Recommendation
📌 Proof of Work Experience (official letters, contracts, etc.)
📌 Language Certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)
📌 Passport Copy
📌 Course-Specific Documents (where required)

⚠️ All documents must be translated into English or German and certified (if required by the course).

Step 3: Write a Powerful Motivation Letter

This letter is extremely important. It should explain:

• Why you want to study in Germany

• How the program fits your career goals

• What impact you’ll make in your home country after graduating

• Why you are a strong candidate

Customize your letter for each university and course.

Pro Tip: Mention long-term plans like “transforming local education,” “improving rural health systems,” or “leading climate change projects” — goals aligned with development.

Step 4: Apply to the University and/or DAAD

Check each course’s website to know where and how to send your application. In most cases:

• You send your documents directly to the university

• Do not send documents directly to DAAD, unless told otherwise

Step 5: Wait for Selection

Each course has its own timeline. If you’re selected, the university will forward your application to DAAD for funding.

DAAD makes the final decision and sends you an official scholarship offer.

DAAD Scholarship Timeline

Top Universities That Accept DAAD Scholars

Some popular German universities for DAAD EPOS programs:

🏛️ University of Bonn
🏛️ University of Leipzig
🏛️ TU Berlin
🏛️ University of Freiburg
🏛️ University of Stuttgart
🏛️ University of Hamburg
🏛️ RWTH Aachen
🏛️ University of Heidelberg

Tips for a Successful Application

🔹 Start early — preparation takes time
🔹 Target development-related programs
🔹 Customize your documents per course
🔹 Stick to DAAD guidelines (format, word count, etc.)
🔹 Use clear, honest, and professional language
🔹 Show your motivation to return and improve your country

❌ Never use a generic motivation letter. This is the number one reason for rejection.

Why Choose the DAAD Scholarship?

• No tuition fees

• Live in Germany, one of the safest and most developed countries

• Learn German (a global business language)

• Access Europe easily with a student visa

• World-class education with real industry exposure

• High-paying job opportunities after graduation

In Conclusion

The DAAD Scholarship is not just a study opportunity — it’s a gateway to international exposure, personal growth, and global impact. Germany is home to some of the best universities, and this scholarship ensures you get there without financial stress.

If you’ve been searching for a fully funded postgraduate scholarship in Germany, this is your best shot.

Now is the time to prepare, apply, and unlock a future of possibilities.