Types of Scholarships in Germany

As of the current winter semester 2017-18, 374,951 international students enrolled for various courses in Germany. This is a clear indication that Germany is an increasingly popular education destination for international students. This can be attributed to the high quality of education offered by universities in Germany. According to US News, Germany ranks in the top 5 best countries for education.

Deciding to study abroad, not just Germany, can be a tough decision. Among the many things that students need to research, scholarships in Germany rank high. For international students who want to know more about how to get a scholarship in Germany, this is the article for you. Read on to find out all about scholarships for international students in Germany and explore the various types of scholarships in Germany available today.

How Many Types of Scholarships do I have Access to in Germany?

If you’re wondering how to get scholarships in Germany, it starts with understanding the options available. For international students looking to pursue higher education in Germany, there are generally three types of scholarships available. They are:

Government-funded scholarships:

• DAAD Scholarship

 Non-government scholarships:

• Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships
• Kurt Hansen Science Scholarships
• Einstein International Postdoctoral Fellowship
• Heinrich Böll
• Humboldt Research Fellowships

 German university scholarships:

• DRD Scholarships for Sub-Saharan Africans
• FRIAS Cofund Fellowship Programme for International Researchers
• KAAD Scholarships for Developing Countries
• Kofi Annan MBA Scholarships for Developing Country Students

What are Government Funded Scholarships?

The two government-funded international student scholarships offered by the government of Germany are pretty popular. Let’s find out more about these government scholarships:

• DAAD Scholarship: The German Academy Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a series of scholarships to international students in Germany for various degrees. The scholarship has certain rules and eligibility criteria that a student needs to comply with in order to avail the scholarship. In order to learn more about the DAAD scholarship in Germany, click here.
• Erasmus+: This programme is one of the largest scholarship providers in Europe for international students aspiring for scholarships in Germany. Similar to DAAD, the Erasmus+ scholarship programme has certain eligibility criteria. To find out more about the Erasmus+ scholarship in Europe, click here.

What are Non-Government Funded Scholarships?

To help international students pursue a course of their choice in Germany, various non-government organisations have come up with scholarship programmes of their own. Some of them are:

• Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships: this postdoctoral research scholarship is offered to students from developing countries who wish to pursue higher education in Germany. The Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships programme is funded by the European Commission. To know more about this scholarship programme, click here.
• Kurt Hansen Science Scholarships: this science scholarship for international students is funded by the Bayer Foundation. It also offers scholarships to students who are training to become educators in the science domain. For more details about the Kurt Hansen Science Scholarships, click here.
• Einstein International Postdoctoral Fellowship: This fellowship programme offers postdoctoral scholarships to students studying in Berlin, who already have a source of funding. This scholarship programme is funded by the Einstein Foundation. 
• Heinrich Böll Scholarships: these scholarship programmes are offered to international students who want to pursue a degree of any level at an accredited German university. Find out more about the  Heinrich Böll scholarships programme  here.
• Humboldt Research Fellowships: this fellowship programme offers postdoctoral scholarships to scientists and researchers of any nationality, pursuing a course in any subject. To find out more about the Humboldt Research Fellowships, click here.

What are German University Scholarships?

University-specific scholarship programmes are the scholarships offered to students who are pursuing a course in a particular German university. Some university-specific scholarship programmes are:

• FRIAS Cofund Fellowship Programme for International Researchers: this scholarship is awarded to international students who are pursuing a research-level programme at Universität Freiburg. Find out more about the scholarship here.
• KAAD Scholarships for Developing Countries: the eligibility criteria for acquiring this scholarship is:
• The student must be from a developing country (in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America);
• The student must opt to study a master’s or PhD level degree at a German university;
• The student must have German language proficiency skills and be a Catholic-Christian.

You can get more information about this scholarship programme here.

• Kofi Annan MBA Scholarships for Developing Country Students: under this scholarship scheme, up to five international students hailing from a developing country are offered a scholarship to take up a full-time, one-year MBA course at the European School of Management and Technology (ESMT). For more details about this scholarship scheme, click here.

These scholarships are especially relevant for anyone searching for scholarships in Germany.

How do I Apply for a Scholarship to Study in Germany?

The idea of studying abroad is exciting and daunting at the same time. More so, because students have to pay attention to and research a handful of things before they can go ahead for their higher studies. So, here’s how you can go about your scholarship hunt, step by step:

Step 1: Word of mouth

Talk to friends, acquaintances and relatives about your plans for studying in Germany and seek their advice. Do not hesitate to ask for help, as pursuing higher studies abroad is a big step. You can also consult with counsellors, administration officers in your present college and professors in order to get the best advice on these grounds.

Step 2: Research

Researching for the best scholarships, before applying for one, is essential. Different scholarships have different eligibility criteria; while one might be location-specific, the other might be university-specific. Ensure that you fulfil the eligibility criteria for the scholarship you are applying for and only then go ahead with the application.

Step 3: Visit the scholarship website

In order to understand the minute details of the scholarship programme, you can contact the scholarship provider or visit their website. This will help you get a better idea of how the scholarship will help you in your study overseas.

Step 4: Be cautious

When applying for a number of scholarship applications, you might have the urge to just rush through them. However, this might work against you. Ensure that you fill out the applications carefully and provide real information.

Step 5: Keep track of your applications

If you are applying for a number of scholarships, keeping track of all your applications can be a tedious task. Hence, maintain your calendar and track the application progress religiously.

Scholarships can make the course of your study abroad a tad easier, hence you should put in a lot of thought and research into this. Some universities have in-house scholarships to provide financial aid to students pursuing a course in the university. Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI) also offers a scholarship called the Leadership and Enterprise Scholarship to students pursuing a course at the university. The scholarship is awarded based on a student’s academic merit, personal statement and financial need. For more information about this scholarship programme, click here.