Scholarships · Germany

Germany scholarships for Indian students: 2027 guide

Amounts and dates last reviewed on 14 October 2026.

Most public universities in Germany charge little or no tuition, so German scholarships pay towards living costs instead. The big one is DAAD, which pays a monthly stipend. Once you are enrolled, the Deutschlandstipendium and political foundations add more options.

Tuition at public universities: Mostly free, except Baden-Württemberg and TUM
Biggest scholarship: DAAD, €992 a month for master's
Easiest to get once enrolled: Deutschlandstipendium, €300 a month
Intakes: Winter (October, main), summer (April)

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Main scholarships

Germany scholarships Indian students can apply for

Rupee figures first, local amount underneath. Rates used: €1 = ₹108.4 (ECB reference rates, 9 October 2026). Rates move daily, so treat rupee figures as a guide.

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

DAAD Study Scholarship (master's)

€992 a month plus insurance and travel

Very competitive

₹1.1 lakh€992 a month for 10 to 24 months

What it covers

Monthly stipend of €992
Health, accident and liability insurance
Travel allowance
Annual study allowance

Who can get it

Strong graduates (usually top third of the class)
Some programmes are limited to STEM subjects; others are open to all fields
Must apply to a full-time master's starting in winter semester 2027-28
Programme-specific rules on how recently you graduated

When to apply for 2027: Deadlines for 2027-28 depend on the programme. Several fell between August and October 2026; some STEM tracks accept applications on a rolling basis. Check your target programme now.

Kompass view: Doesn't pay tuition, which is rarely needed at public universities. A strong motivation letter and a clear course fit decide most applications.

DAAD with German universities

DAAD EPOS (development-related courses)

€992 a month for working professionals

Competitive

₹1.1 lakh€992 a month

What it covers

Monthly stipend of €992
Insurance and travel allowance
Possible rent subsidy and family allowance

Who can get it

Indian graduates from DAC countries (India qualifies)
At least two years of relevant work experience after your bachelor's (internships don't count)
Degree no older than six years at the time of application
Only for a fixed list of development-related master's courses

When to apply for 2027: Each course has its own deadline. Most 2027-28 deadlines fell between August and mid-October 2026, so this is now a 2028 option for most students.

Kompass view: One of the best fits for professionals in engineering, public health, economics, environment and urban planning. Being in work is an advantage here, not a problem.

German government with private sponsors

Deutschlandstipendium

€300 a month

Realistic for strong profiles

₹33,000€300 a month for at least a year

What it covers

€300 a month, paid half by a sponsor and half by the federal government

Who can get it

Any student enrolled at a participating German university; nationality doesn't matter
Selection on grades, engagement (volunteering, tutoring, student roles) and personal circumstances
Family income is not assessed

When to apply for 2027: Each university runs its own round, usually once a year. You normally apply after you have enrolled.

Kompass view: The most realistic German scholarship for Indian students. It won't cover all your costs, but €300 a month makes a real difference.

Heinrich Böll, Konrad Adenauer, Friedrich Ebert and others

Political and church foundations

Monthly stipend similar to DAAD

Competitive

What it covers

Monthly stipend
Seminars and networking
Some cover insurance

Who can get it

Usually students already enrolled or admitted in Germany
Each foundation looks for alignment with its values (environment, social justice and so on)
Often need German-language skills or a strong record of social engagement

When to apply for 2027: Most run one or two rounds a year; many expect you to be in Germany already.

Kompass view: Worth a look from your second semester onwards, once you have a German track record.

Where most of the money comes from

University scholarships and discounts

German universities rarely give fee discounts because tuition is low. Instead they offer small merit grants, emergency funds and paid student jobs (HiWi roles) at research institutes.

Typical award

₹33,000 to ₹1.1 lakh€300 to €1,000 a month (stipend or HiWi job)

Kompass estimate from recent offers. Each university sets its own awards.

What to expect

Paid student assistant (HiWi) jobs pay a fixed hourly rate and count towards your work limit
Some private universities give 10% to 50% off tuition for strong profiles
Baden-Württemberg's €1,500 a semester non-EU fee has limited exemptions for top students
Your blocked account (€11,904 for 2025-26) is still required for the visa even with a scholarship, unless the scholarship covers it

See what you'd still need to fund

Work out tuition, living costs and visa funds for Germany, then subtract the scholarship.

Free study cost calculator

Timeline

Scholarship calendar for a 2027 start

1
August to October 2026
DAAD and EPOS deadlines for October 2027 (many now closed)
2
November 2026 to January 2027
University applications open (uni-assist for most)
3
January to July 2027
Admission results; open your blocked account
4
October 2027
Start of winter semester; apply for Deutschlandstipendium once enrolled

What strengthens your application

If you have two or more years of work experience, check EPOS before anything else
Apply to DAAD a full year before your course starts
Get involved on campus early; it helps for the Deutschlandstipendium and foundations
Budget for living costs even if tuition is free; that is where scholarships help

Common mistakes

Assuming a scholarship replaces the blocked account (it only does if the scholarship letter says so)
Applying to DAAD in the same year you want to start
Ignoring the Deutschlandstipendium because it seems small
Choosing a private university for a discount when a free public one teaches the same course

Not sure which scholarships you qualify for?

In a free student counselling session we check your marks, budget and course, and give you a shortlist of scholarships with deadlines.

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FAQs

Germany scholarships: your questions answered

How much does the DAAD scholarship pay?

€992 a month for master's students, plus health insurance, a travel allowance and a yearly study allowance. It does not cover tuition, which is usually free at public universities.

Is India eligible for DAAD EPOS?

Yes. EPOS is for graduates from developing countries on the OECD DAC list, which includes India. You need at least two years of relevant work experience.

What is the Deutschlandstipendium?

A scholarship of €300 a month for students at participating German universities, funded half by private sponsors and half by the government. International students can apply, and family income isn't assessed.

Do I still need a blocked account if I get a scholarship?

Yes, unless your scholarship letter confirms it covers your living costs at the required level. A DAAD award usually does; the €300 Deutschlandstipendium does not.

When should I apply for DAAD for a 2027 start?

Most DAAD and EPOS deadlines for courses starting in October 2027 fell between August and October 2026. If you missed them, plan for 2028 or look at awards you can apply for after enrolling.

Can I study in Germany without a scholarship?

Yes. Most Indian students fund Germany with savings or an education loan, the blocked account and part-time work. Low tuition is what makes Germany affordable.

Do I need German to get a scholarship?

Not for DAAD or EPOS if your course is taught in English. Some foundation scholarships expect German, and German helps with HiWi jobs and part-time work.

Can Kompass help with the DAAD motivation letter?

Yes. We shortlist the scholarships you're eligible for, plan your timeline and review your motivation letter and CV. You submit the application yourself, and no consultant can guarantee an award.

Keep exploring

More on studying abroad

Study in Germany: full guide All scholarship guides IELTS / PTE scores needed UK scholarships Ireland scholarships France scholarships Netherlands scholarships Italy scholarships

Sources

DAAD: Study scholarships for graduates, STEM track 2027-28 (summary of the official call)
DAAD EPOS 2027-28 course calls (course-level summaries)
Deutschlandstipendium: federal programme rules (university summaries)

Scholarship rules, amounts and deadlines change every year. Dates marked "expected" are based on the last round. We confirm current details for your case at your counselling session. Information on this site is general guidance only and not legal, migration or investment advice. Rules, fees and occupation lists change frequently — always confirm current requirements with the relevant government authority before acting.

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