Active Undergraduate Scholarships in Germany for International Students in 2027

Are you looking for undergraduate scholarships in Germany for 2027? Do you know you can study abroad for your bachelor’s degree without the heavy load of tuition?

Yes! International students can explore university scholarships, foundation funding and financial support that may help cover part of their bachelor’s degree costs.

However, finding a fully funded scholarship for an entire bachelor’s degree in Germany can be more difficult than finding funding for master’s or PhD study. The best approach is to identify scholarships you are eligible for, check whether your chosen university participates, and apply before the deadline.

Table of Contents

Best Undergraduate Scholarships in Germany to Check for 2027

Scholarship or funding route	Key features
Deutschlandstipendium	Provides eligible students with €300 per month at participating German universities.
Foundation scholarships	Some foundations support international undergraduate students who meet their academic and other selection criteria.
University scholarships	Individual universities may offer merit-based awards, grants or support for specific student groups.
Home-country and external scholarships	Government agencies, charities and private sponsors in your home country may fund undergraduate study abroad.
DAAD funding opportunities	The DAAD database is useful for checking eligibility, but many DAAD awards target graduates, doctoral candidates or short-term study rather than a complete bachelor’s degree.

Availability depends on your nationality, course, university and academic background. Treat each option as a funding route to investigate, not a guarantee that applications are open to every international undergraduate.

1. Deutschlandstipendium

The Deutschlandstipendium is one of the most useful options to consider if you plan to study for a bachelor’s degree at a participating German university.

Awarded students of this scholarship receive €300 per month, with funding usually provided for at least two semesters and potentially longer within the standard study period. To be selected, the committee considers your academic achievement, personal accomplishments, social engagement and how you have overcome challenges.

International students are eligible for this scholarship, but they must meet the programme and university requirements. Application procedures and deadlines are set by individual institutions.

How to apply: Check the official Deutschlandstipendium information, then visit the scholarship page of your intended university.

2. Foundation Scholarships for International Undergraduates

Several German foundations offer scholarships to students who meet their particular academic, social or personal criteria. Some programmes accept international students pursuing undergraduate degrees, but eligibility differs considerably based on other factors.

For example, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and other scholarship organisations publish their own requirements and selection rules. Before applying, confirm that the current programme accepts international bachelor’s students and that your nationality, course and study status qualify.

Some foundations that offer undergraduate scholarships in Germany:

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)
SBW Berlin
Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)
Deutschlandstipendium
KAAD (Catholic Academic Exchange Service)

Do not assume that every foundation scholarship is available to all international students or covers all living expenses.

Where to start: The DAAD’s guide to funding opportunities from other organisations explains the wider scholarship landscape.

3. University-Specific Undergraduate Scholarships

Some German universities offer scholarships or financial assistance for high-achieving students, international undergraduate students who meet specific criteria. Other awards are available only after you’ve enrolment.

Once you have shortlisted your universities, search their official websites for:

Scholarships for international students.
Bachelor’s funding or merit scholarships.
Deutschlandstipendium application details.
Financial assistance for enrolled students.

Check whether you must receive admission before applying. Some scholarships require a separate application, while others use a university’s own selection process.

Some universities offering undergraduate scholarships:

Kühne Logistics University (KLU)
EBS University of Business and Law
Constructor University
Universität Hamburg
RWTH Aachen University
University of Göttingen (Georg-August-Universität Göttingen)
Free University of Berlin (Freie Universität Berlin)

If you are still deciding where to study, explore our guides to public universities in Germany and the best universities in Germany.

4. DAAD Scholarship for a Bachelor’s Degree

The DAAD is an important starting point for scholarship research, but you must understand what the programme focuses on. Many DAAD scholarships support graduates, doctoral candidates and researchers, while funding for a complete undergraduate degree is more limited.

Some DAAD programmes support short-term study, summer courses or other specific opportunities for eligible undergraduates. These should not be confused with a scholarship that pays for an entire bachelor’s degree.

Search the official DAAD Scholarship Database using your country of origin, academic status and intended study purpose. Read each programme’s eligibility requirements and funding conditions carefully.

For postgraduate options, see our guides to DAAD scholarships in Germany for 2027 and master’s scholarships in Germany.

Eligibility Requirements to Check

Requirements depend on the scholarship, but undergraduate applicants may need to demonstrate:

A recognised secondary-school qualification that meets German university admission requirements.
Strong academic results.
Admission to, or enrolment at, an eligible university.
German or English language proficiency, depending on the programme.
Evidence of extracurricular involvement or community engagement, where required.
Compliance with nationality, residence or financial criteria specified by the funder.

Check admission eligibility separately from scholarship eligibility. A scholarship does not automatically qualify you for university admission. Read our guide to German university admission requirements for international students before applying.

How to Apply for Undergraduate Scholarships in Germany

Choose your bachelor’s programme. Confirm that your school qualifications meet the university’s entry requirements.
Shortlist universities. Check tuition fees, semester contributions, language requirements and available funding.
Search for eligible scholarships. Start with university funding pages, the Deutschlandstipendium and relevant foundations.
Check the funding package. Determine whether the award is a monthly stipend, a one-time payment or a full scholarship.
Prepare your documents. Common requirements include transcripts, certificates, a CV, a motivation letter and references.
Apply before the deadline. Follow the funder’s official instructions and submit any separate university application required.
Plan for costs not covered. Budget for accommodation, food, insurance, travel and other expenses if the scholarship is partial.

Are Public Universities in Germany Free for International Students?

Many public universities do not charge general tuition fees for many bachelor’s programmes, but this does not mean studying is entirely free. Semester contributions apply, and tuition fees or other charges can apply in particular states, universities or programmes.

You should also budget for living costs and check what financial proof you need for your student visa. Read our guide to scholarships in Germany for international students for more funding routes, including opportunities for postgraduate students.

When Should You Apply for 2027 Scholarships?

Start checking now. Some university and foundation scholarships have annual application windows, while others accept applications at specific stages of study. Deadlines for the 2027 academic year may differ between institutions.

Because the current date is October 2026, some opportunities may already have closed. Check the official page for the next available application period rather than relying on an old deadline published elsewhere.

Find an Undergraduate Scholarship in Germany

The most practical first steps are to check whether your preferred university offers a Deutschlandstipendium or other undergraduate funding, investigate foundations that accept international bachelor’s students, and search the DAAD database for opportunities matching your country and study status.

Start with the official DAAD Scholarship Database, then confirm the exact eligibility rules, funding coverage and deadline directly with each scholarship provider.