Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships 2025 for International Students | Funded by the German Federal Foreign Office

Overview

The DAAD Study Scholarships offer fully funded opportunities for international graduates from all academic disciplines to pursue a Master’s degree or a study year in Germany. This program aims to enhance academic and professional development and is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.

Scholarship Benefits

• Monthly stipend of €992

• Health, accident, and personal liability insurance

• Travel allowance

• Annual study allowance of €460

• Optional:

  • Rent subsidy

  • Monthly allowance for family members

  • Support for disabilities or chronic illness

  • Green Mobility Top Up or reimbursement for carbon offset costs

• Language preparation:

  • Funded online or in-person German language course

  • Test fee reimbursement (e.g., TestDaF or DSH)

Note: DAAD does not cover tuition fees. Most German public universities do not charge tuition, only minor administrative fees.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must have completed a first degree (e.g., Bachelor’s) by the time the scholarship starts

• A bachelor’s degree must be obtained within the last 6 years

• Must not have been living in Germany for more than 15 months at the time of application

• Must demonstrate language proficiency in the program’s language of instruction (German and/or English)

• The average grade of your Bachelor’s degree must be at least 80%

• Must plan to begin a full Master’s program in Germany in the Winter Semester 2026/27

• Can also fund a 1-year study in Germany as part of a Master’s program abroad (credits must be transferable)

Duration of Scholarship

• 10 to 24 months, depending on the program length

• Renewable after the first year based on academic performance

Selection Criteria

• Academic qualification & achievements

• Quality of study plan

• Relevance of study to career and academic goals

• Motivation & language skills

• Extracurricular involvement and social commitment

Required Application Documents

Upload these to the DAAD portal:

1. CV (max 3 pages)

2. Letter of Motivation (1–3 pages)

3. Admission letter from a German university (if available)

4. Preferred Master’s programs form (if applying to multiple programs)

5. Transcript of records

6. Bachelor’s degree certificate

7. Proof of language proficiency (English or German, not older than 2 years)

8. Letter of Recommendation from a university lecturer

9. School leaving certificate (e.g., WAEC, A-levels, etc.)

10. Copy of a valid ID or passport

11. Explanation of the grading system

12. Proof of English test:

• TOEFL iBT (min. 79) or

• IELTS (min. 6.5) or equivalent

Optional:

• Work certificates

• Volunteer certificates

• Extra documents to support your application

Application Deadline

• Deadline: 29 August 2025

• Selection results: February 2026

• Funding begins: October 2026 (or earlier for German language course)

How to Apply

• Applications must be submitted online via the DAAD Portal (accessible only during the application window)

• Review the DAAD Important Information for Applicants for all requirements