Through its development-focused learning programs, DAAD scholarships in Germany promote the training of professionals from developed and developing countries. Well-trained local professionals, connected with foreign partners, play a key role in the sustainable development of their countries. They are an excellent guarantee of a better future with less poverty, more education, and health for all.
DAAD scholarships in Germany offer foreign graduates from developed and newly developed countries from all disciplines and at least two years' experience the opportunity to obtain a postgraduate or Master's degree from a recognized German government or specialist degree, and to obtain a Master's / Ph.D. from Germany.
Application Criteria for DAAD scholarships in Germany
To apply for DAAD scholarships in Germany, you need to fulfill the following requirements.
- Candidates fulfill the necessary academic requirements and can be expected to successfully complete a study program in Germany (above-average result for the first academic exam – top performance)
- Candidates have a Bachelor degree (usually a four-year course) in an appropriate subject
- Candidates have at least two years of professional experience
- Candidates can prove their motivation is development-related and be expected to take on social responsibility and initiate and support processes of change in their personal and professional environment after their training/scholarship
- Works either for a public authority or a state or private company in a developing country and, as such, is engaged in the planning and execution of directives and projects with an emphasis on development policies having a bearing on technological, economic, or social areas.
- Has completed an academic degree with far above average results (upper third) and at least two years of related professional experience after the first degree (bachelor) at the time of application.
- His/her academic degrees should normally not be more than six years old.
Language skills
- For study courses in German (scholarship includes a preparatory 6-month German language course in Germany): Successful passing of the language examination DSH 2 or TestDaF 4 before the start of the study course. Therefore, a minimum German language level of B1 at the time of application is a requirement, that needs to be proofed by providing a current certificate.
Note: It is not possible to pass the required German language courses (DSH or TestDaF) without any previous basic knowledge in the German language (at least B1 Level), even with the preceding six-month intensive course in Germany. Passing the language test is a formal prerequisite for matriculation at the respective German university. - For courses in English: IELTS (Band 6) certificate or TOEFL (minimum score: 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based, 80 internet-based)
Note: Some courses may expect a different level. For detailed information see the relevant course description on the following pages.
Required Documents to apply for DAAD Scholarships in Germany
- Signed DAAD application form with the current date
- Personally signed CV (please use the sample Europass form) with the current date
- Personally signed Letter of Motivation (with reference to current occupation and choice of postgraduate program (s), two pages maximum) with the current date.
- When applying for more than one postgraduate course (maximum 3 courses), you have to submit one motivation letter explaining why you are applying for these specific courses and why you chose that priority.
- Letter of recommendation from your current employer; the letter must have letterhead, a signature, and official stamp and must be of the current date (not in a sealed envelope)
- Certificate(s) of Employment from the employer(s) that proof a minimum of two years of relevant working experience (after the bachelor's degree) at the time of application and if possible, a guarantee of re-employment from your current employer upon returning home.
- Proof of Language Skills:
- English – IELTS or TOEFL (Note: The institutional TOEFL is not accepted)
- German – required for courses taught in German
- Copies of Academic Degrees (certified translation if necessary)
- Copies of Academic Transcripts, incl. grading-scale (certified translation if necessary)
- Applicants from the People’s Republic of China are asked to submit an APS Certificate with their application documents.
Benefits
- Depending on an academic level, monthly payments of 861 euros for graduates or 1,200 euros for doctoral candidates
- Payments towards health, accident, and personal liability insurance cover
- Travel allowance, unless these expenses are covered by the home country or another source of funding
Under certain circumstances, scholarship holders may receive the following additional benefits:
- Monthly rent subsidy
- Monthly allowance for accompanying members of the family
Eligible Nationalities for DAAD scholarships
Europe:
Albania, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine
North Africa:
Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia
Sub-Saharan Africa:
Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Congo,
Dem. Rep, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique
Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sâo Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, St. Helena, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
North and Central America:
Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala
Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Montserrat, Nicaragua, Panama, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines
South America:
Argentina, Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela
Middle East:
Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestinian territories, Syria, Yemen
South and Central Asia:
Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan