Are you planning to pursue a master’s degree in Germany but worried about the cost? There are several scholarship programmes that are designed to help international students like you finance postgraduate study in Germany.
Depending on your qualifications and the award, postgraduate scholarships may contribute towards living expenses, travel, insurance or tuition fees.
The key is finding a scholarship that matches your nationality, field of study and academic background. That exactly is what we will discuss in this article. Below are some of the main opportunities you should look out for, with application steps that are straightforward to help you apply effectively.
Great Master’s Scholarships in Germany for 2027
Scholarship |
Why you should consider it |
Who should check it? |
|---|---|---|
DAAD Study Scholarships |
It can provide funding for your postgraduate study in Germany |
If your nationality and subject are covered by a specific DAAD call |
DAAD EPOS Scholarships |
They can support your study if you’re in a selected development-related postgraduate courses |
If you have the relevant professional experience and come from eligible countries |
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters |
The scholarship can cover participation costs and contribute to your travel and living expenses |
If you want to join joint master’s programmes where you study in multiple universities in different countries |
Deutschlandstipendium |
You will get €300 per month in supplementary support |
Eligible students at participating German universities |
University-specific master’s scholarships |
The funding is tied to a particular institution, faculty or student group |
If you have chosen a particular German university to study |
The funding, eligibility and deadlines for these scholarships vary. Not every opportunity is fully funded, and Erasmus Mundus programmes do not all include a German university.
1. DAAD Master’s Scholarships
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers several scholarship programmes for graduates who want to continue their education in Germany.
Some DAAD study scholarships support master’s study across selected academic disciplines, while other awards target particular subjects, countries or professional backgrounds.
What the scholarship covers:
Depending on the programme, benefits can include
- €992 per month for Master’s students.
- A flat-rate travel grant
- An annual study allowance
- Potential subsidies for rent, family members, or green travel.
- Mandatory health, accident, and personal liability insurance coverage
- German language courses or integration support depending on the program track
Check the individual scholarship to know what the package carries.
Eligible Courses:
- Engineering & Computer Science
- Mathematics & Natural Sciences
- Languages, Humanities, & Cultural Studies
- Law, Economics, & Social Sciences
- Human & Veterinary Medicine
- Agriculture, Forestry, & Environmental Sciences
Eligibility varies by programme. Some awards are restricted to specific nationalities, and applicants must meet the relevant academic and language requirements.
How to apply: Visit the official DAAD Scholarship Database, select your country and academic status, and search for master’s funding.
2. DAAD EPOS Scholarships
The Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) programme is particularly relevant to graduates who want to build expertise in development-related fields.
It supports selected postgraduate courses in Germany and is intended for qualified applicants from eligible developing countries. You generally need a relevant first degree and at least two years of professional experience
What the scholarship covers:
- €992 for Master’s students, or €1,300 to €1,400 for doctoral candidates
- Health, accident, and personal liability insurance coverage
- Flight allowances to and from Germany
- Potential rent assistance and family allowances if bringing dependents
Not every master’s programme qualifies for EPOS funding, so you must choose from the eligible course list.
Eligible courses:
- Economic Sciences, Business Administration & Political Economics
- Development Cooperation & Regional Planning
- Agricultural & Forest Sciences
- Natural Sciences
- Environmental Sciences & Marine Biology
- Medicine & Public Health
- Engineering & Related Sciences
- Media Studies & Law
Check eligibility and apply: Visit the official DAAD EPOS programme information.
3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programmes offer another route to substantial postgraduate funding. Selected students can receive scholarships covering participation costs and contributing towards travel, visa expenses and living costs.
These programmes involve international university partnerships, and students often study in more than one country. A German university may participate in a programme, but not every Erasmus Mundus master’s degree includes Germany.
What the scholarship covers:
- Full coverage of participation and registration costs
- Up to €1,400 per month for living expenses, for up to 24 months
- Contributions toward travel costs, visa fees, and installation costs
- Comprehensive health insurance included throughout the program
You must meet the admission requirements of their chosen course and compete through its selection process.
Eligible Courses:
There are over 200 active Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM) courses spanning multiple academic disciplines. The major courses include:
- Engineering & Technology
- Computer Science & AI
- Environmental & Earth Sciences
- Life Sciences & Health
- Social Sciences, Law & Economics
- Humanities & Arts
Find a programme: Browse the official Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters catalogue.
4. Deutschlandstipendium
The Deutschlandstipendium is designed as supplementary financial support rather than a complete scholarship covering every study expense. The scholarship committee considers academic achievement, personal accomplishments, extracurricular commitment and individual circumstances in awarding students
Application procedures and deadlines are set by participating institutions. Check your preferred university’s official website to find out whether you can apply and whether admission or enrolment is required.
What the scholarship covers:
- A flat monthly grant of €300 paid directly to your bank account.
- Mentoring programs, networking events, internships, and company visits organized by private sponsors.
The money is a grant that you do not have to pay back. You can spend it freely on housing, learning materials, food, or insuranc
Eligible Degree:
- Undergraduate Degrees
- Graduate Degrees
- State Examination (Staatsexamen)
Deutschlandstipendium is open to all fields of study and subjects
Next step: Search the official Deutschlandstipendium programme information.
5. University-Specific Master’s Scholarships
Some top German universities offer their own merit scholarships, grants for international students, completion funding or awards supported by external sponsors.
These opportunities can have different eligibility requirements and may only be available to students in particular faculties or degree programmes.
To find them, visit your target university’s official website and search for “master’s scholarships,” “international student funding” or “scholarships and financial support.”
If you are still deciding where to study, compare the best universities in Germany and review public universities in Germany to understand the differences in tuition fees and other university costs.
General Eligibility Requirements for Master’s Degree in Germany
Before applying, check whether you meet the conditions for the specific award. Common requirements include:
- A recognised bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.
- Academic results that meet the scholarship and university requirements.
- Admission to an eligible master’s programme, where required.
- Proof of English or German proficiency, if specified.
- Relevant work experience for programmes such as DAAD EPOS.
- Nationality or country-of-residence requirements.
- A CV, motivation letter, references or other supporting documents.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee selection. Scholarship committees may also consider your motivation, career goals, professional experience and suitability for the programme.
How to Apply for a Master’s Scholarship in Germany
- Choose your subject and target degree. Identify the master’s programme you want to study.
- Search official scholarship sources. Start with DAAD, Erasmus Mundus and the university’s own funding pages.
- Check the deadline and eligibility. Confirm that your country, qualification and intended course are eligible.
- Prepare your documents. Gather transcripts, certificates, language evidence, references and a tailored motivation letter as required.
- Submit through the correct portal. Some scholarships use separate applications from university admission, while others have a specific programme application process.
- Plan for uncovered costs. Check whether the award covers tuition, living expenses, insurance, travel and other costs you may face.
If you need help preparing for admission, see our guide to German university admission requirements for international students.
When Should You Apply for 2027 Master’s Scholarships?
Start as early as possible. Some scholarships for the 2027/28 academic year close during 2026, while others have different deadlines set by the scholarship provider or university.
Do not rely on a single deadline for all master’s scholarships in Germany. Check the official call, record the closing date and allow enough time to obtain documents and references.
If you are applying for a student visa after receiving an offer, our guide to Germany student visa requirements explains the next stage of the process.
Apply for a Master’s Scholarship in Germany
Your next step is to find a scholarship that fits your nationality, subject and qualifications. Start with the DAAD database for country-specific postgraduate funding, explore EPOS if you have relevant professional experience, and consider Erasmus Mundus if you are open to a joint international master’s programme.
Search official DAAD scholarships for master’s study and check each programme’s requirements before applying.
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