University-Specific Scholarships in Germany

German universities offer their own scholarships for international students. These may include merit scholarships, tuition waivers, graduation grants, emergency funding, research assistantships or faculty awards.

Required documents

• University application or admission letter.
• Passport copy.
• Academic transcripts.
• Degree certificate.
• CV.
• Motivation letter.
• Recommendation letter.
• Proof of language proficiency.
• Proof of financial need, if need-based.
• Research proposal for PhD applicants.
• Portfolio for creative fields.
• Proof of extracurricular activities, if merit-based.

Eligible nationalities

• Usually open to international students.
• Some awards are for non-EU students only.
• Some are for students from specific partner countries.
• Some are for refugees, displaced students or students from crisis regions.
• Some are open to all enrolled students regardless of nationality.
• Eligibility depends entirely on the university.

How to apply

• Search the scholarship page of each target university.
• Check whether the scholarship is automatic or requires a separate application.
• Apply before or during admission.
• Some scholarships require nomination by the department.
• Some are only available after the first semester, based on university performance.

Usual timeline

• Start preparing: 8 to 12 months before study start.
• Admission applications: often December to July, depending on intake.
• Scholarship applications: often linked to admission deadlines.
• Results: usually between April and August.
• Start: usually October for winter semester.
• Payment: after enrolment and bank account registration.
• Renewal: depends on credits, grades and continued enrolment.