DAAD Scholarships 2027/2028: Complete Guide for International Students

DAAD scholarships are among the most important funding opportunities for international students who want to study or research in Germany. DAAD stands for the German Academic Exchange Service. It offers many scholarship programmes for master’s students, doctoral candidates, researchers, artists, architects and professionals. Germany is already attractive because many public universities have low or no tuition fees. However, students still need money for living costs, health insurance, housing, transport and visa requirements. DAAD scholarships can help cover those costs, but students must choose the correct programme.

What does DAAD fund?

DAAD does not have only one scholarship. It has a database of scholarships by country, academic level, field and purpose. There are scholarships for:

• Master’s study
• PhD research
• Research stays
• Architecture
• Music
• Fine arts
• Performing arts
• STEM disciplines
• Development-related postgraduate courses
• Language and short-term programmes in some cases

DAAD explains that many scholarships are open to almost all subjects, but some have restrictions or target specific fields such as architecture, music or computer science. Applicants should use the scholarship database to select programmes offered for their subject group.

DAAD scholarship benefits

DAAD scholarships usually do not need to be repaid. DAAD states that scholarships usually include a monthly scholarship payment, for example €992 for students and €1,300 for doctoral or PhD students, plus a flat-rate travel allowance. In many cases, DAAD also provides health, accident and personal liability insurance, with possible additional benefits depending on the programme. The exact amount depends on the scholarship programme and academic level. Always check the official call.

DAAD EPOS: Development-Related Postgraduate Courses

DAAD EPOS is one of the most important DAAD programmes for international students from developing and newly industrialised countries. DAAD states that EPOS scholarships offer foreign graduates from developing and newly industrialised countries, from all disciplines and with at least two years of professional experience, the chance to take a postgraduate or master’s degree at a state or state-recognised German university. In exceptional cases, it can also support a doctoral degree. This programme is very relevant for applicants in:

• Development studies
• Economics
• Engineering
• Public policy
• Public health
• Water management
• Renewable energy
• Agriculture
• Urban planning
• Environmental management
• Education
• Media and governance

Who can apply?

Eligibility depends on the specific DAAD scholarship, but common requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Strong academic performance
• Relevant field background
• Language proof
• Motivation letter
• CV
• Recommendation letters
• Academic transcripts
• Degree certificate
• Work experience for EPOS
• Research proposal for PhD or research grants

For EPOS, professional experience is critical. Many courses require at least two years of relevant professional experience after the first degree.

Language requirements

DAAD explains that scholarship applicants generally need proof of current proficiency in the language of instruction of their chosen study programme, whether German, English or both. This means English-taught programmes may require IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent proof. German-taught programmes may require TestDaF, DSH or another recognised German certificate. Applicants should not assume they can apply without language proof. Some universities may allow alternatives, but many scholarship applications require proof by the deadline.

Does DAAD cover tuition fees?

This is an important question. DAAD scholarships usually focus on monthly support, travel and insurance. DAAD’s general guidance says applicants must check whether the host university charges tuition, because tuition rules depend on the university and programme. In many German public universities, tuition is low or absent for many programmes, but some states or specialised programmes charge fees. Students should check the exact programme.

DAAD 2027/2028 timeline

DAAD deadlines vary by programme, country and course. For 2027/2028, students should use the following planning structure:

Some EPOS course deadlines are earlier than students expect. Each course has its own deadline, so students must check the course list.

DAAD EPOS application strategy

For EPOS, the application must show development impact. It is not enough to say, “Germany has good education.” The applicant must explain:

• What development problem they work on.
• How their professional experience connects to the programme.
• Why the chosen course is relevant.
• How they will use the degree after graduation.
• How their work can contribute to their home country or region.

DAAD EPOS is especially strong for applicants who already have a professional story. For example:

• An engineer working on water systems.
• A public health officer working in hospitals or NGOs.
• An economist working on development policy.
• An environmental specialist working on climate adaptation.
• A journalist or media worker focused on development communication.
• A government employee working on planning or public administration.

Best fields for DAAD applicants

DAAD is particularly strong for:

• Engineering
• Public policy
• Economics
• Development
• Environment
• Climate
• Agriculture
• Water
• Energy
• Health
• Education
• Urban planning
• Computer science
• Architecture
• Arts and music, through specific calls

Common mistakes

Applicants often fail because they:

1. Apply to the wrong DAAD programme.
2. Ignore country-specific rules.
3. Submit weak work experience letters.
4. Apply without the required language proof.
5. Use a generic motivation letter.
6. Do not connect their goals to development impact.
7. Miss university-specific deadlines.
8. Forget that EPOS deadlines differ by course.
9. Apply to a course unrelated to their degree or work.
10. Do not prepare recommendation letters early.

Documents to prepare

Start preparing:

• Passport
• CV in Europass or DAAD-required format
• Motivation letter
• Academic transcripts
• Degree certificate
• English or German language test
• Employment certificates
• Recommendation letters
• Research proposal, if applicable
• Ranking certificate, if available
• Publications, if relevant
• Proof of professional experience

Employment letters should show exact dates, role, employer and responsibilities. For experience-based scholarships, vague letters are weak.

Best strategy for international students

For DAAD 2027/2028, choose your scholarship route carefully:

• If you have two or more years of professional experience, check DAAD EPOS first.
• If you are a recent graduate without work experience, check master’s scholarships for all academic disciplines or subject-specific calls.
• If you want a PhD, search research grants and funded doctoral positions.
• If you are in arts, architecture or music, search the subject-specific DAAD calls.

Final advice

DAAD is not just a scholarship. It is a full funding ecosystem. The best applicants are those who choose the right programme, prepare early, and write a motivation letter that clearly connects academic background, professional experience and future impact. Need help applying? We can help you find the right DAAD scholarship, choose German programmes, prepare your CV, write your motivation letter, structure your EPOS application and review your documents before submission.