Germany has emerged as a sought-after destination for international students seeking a global education. German universities offer internationally recognized programs at a comparatively lower cost compared to universities in the UK, USA, or Australia. Moreover, there is a significant number of scholarships available, allowing foreign students to study in Germany for free.
Tuition-Free Colleges and Universities in Germany
Since October 2014, all universities in Germany do not charge any tuition fees for undergraduate studies. However, in some Federal States, there may be a semester contribution (approximately 50 euros) and/or administration fees (about 50 euros). It’s important to note that this tuition fee structure can change in the future. For updated information on tuition fees in different federal states in Germany, please refer to this page. For instance, the federal state of Baden-Württemberg charges tuition fees of €1,500 per semester for non-EU citizens pursuing Bachelor’s, Master’s, Diploma, and state examination degree programs.
Unlike undergraduate studies, most Master’s or PhD programs in Germany are fee-based. The costs for postgraduate studies are in addition to the enrollment and confirmation fees. However, there are numerous scholarships available for Master’s and PhD studies in Germany.
Deutschlandstipendium National Scholarship Programme
The Deutschlandstipendium (Germany Scholarship Program) provides financial and non-material support to high-achieving and dedicated students from all over the world. It supports talented students at participating universities in Germany, regardless of personal or parental income and nationality. The scholarship amounts to 300 EUR per month and is awarded for at least two semesters, but it may cover the standard period of study. To find out which institutions of higher education in Germany offer the Germany Scholarship, visit the interactive map of Germany.
DAAD Scholarship Programs
The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) is an organization that promotes international academic relations through student, academic, and researcher exchanges. The DAAD scholarship database provides information about scholarships and funding opportunities for foreign students, graduate students, and scientists seeking financial support for their studies, research work, or teaching assignments in Germany. The database includes scholarships offered by the DAAD as well as diverse programs provided by various institutions.
One of the most popular DAAD scholarship programs for students from developing countries is the DAAD Scholarships for Development-related Postgraduate Courses. Another example is the DAAD Scholarships in Public Policy and Good Governance.
Germany Foundations’ Scholarship Programs
Several political and religious foundations in Germany offer scholarships to international students from diverse backgrounds, interests, and qualifications. A comprehensive list of these scholarships can be found on stipendiumplus.de.
Examples of scholarships offered by German political foundations include the Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarships and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarships. On the other hand, scholarships offered by religious foundations in Germany include the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships and the KAAD Scholarships.