Scholarships in Germany for International Students 2026 | Fully Funded Undergraduate & Masters for African Students

Germany has become one of the most popular destinations for international students seeking world-class education at little to no cost. With nearly free tuition at most public universities and significant scholarships in Germany 2026 available for students from developing countries, including Africa and Nigeria, this is one of the best study destinations in the world.

The Germany scholarships for international students 2026 include the DAAD, Deutschlandstipendium, and several foundation awards open to all nationalities.

Scholarships in Germany 2026 Summary

Details

• As of October 2014, all public universities in Germany charge no tuition fees for undergraduate studies (some charge semester contributions of ~€50 or admin fees of €100–300)
• Baden-Württemberg charges €1,500/semester for non-EU citizens (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Diploma, state examination)
• Most Master’s or PhD studies may have fee-based costs in addition to enrollment/confirmation fees
• Major scholarships in Germany 2026 programs include: Deutschlandstipendium, DAAD Scholarships, and Germany Foundations’ Scholarship Programs

Eligibility Requirements

Deutschlandstipendium:

• High-achieving and committed students from all over the world
• Awarded regardless of personal or parental income or nationality
• Must be enrolled at a participating German university

DAAD Scholarships (Development-related Postgraduate Courses):

• Must be a resident of a developing or newly industrialized country
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree (minimum 4 years) in a relevant field
• Minimum 2 years of professional work experience
• Last academic degree obtained within the past 6 years
• Meet language requirements (TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent)
• Open to Master’s and PhD students (exceptional cases fund doctoral studies)

These fully funded scholarships in Germany for African students and Nigerian applicants are among the most accessible DAAD scholarships Germany for Nigerian students available today.

Benefits

• Deutschlandstipendium: €300/month for at least 2 semesters
• DAAD Scholarship (Master’s): Monthly stipend of €934
• DAAD Scholarship (PhD): Monthly stipend of €1,200–1,300
• Full tuition fee waiver at public universities
• Travel allowance to and from Germany
• Health, accident, and personal liability insurance
• Monthly rent subsidy (if applicable)
• Family allowance (in some cases)

Required Documents

• Bachelor’s degree certificate and transcripts
• CV/Resume with evidence of professional work experience
• TOEFL/IELTS score report or equivalent language proof
• Two to three letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose or research proposal
• Passport copy
• Proof of professional work experience (minimum 2 years)

How to Apply (Step by Step)

1. Use the DAAD scholarship database to find scholarships in Germany 2026 for international students: daad.de/en/studying-in-germany/scholarships
2. For Deutschlandstipendium: Contact participating German universities directly via the interactive map at deutschlandstipendium.de
3. For DAAD EPOS Scholarship: Apply online through the official DAAD portal for your specific programme (deadlines vary by programme)
4. For Germany Foundations’ Scholarships: Contact foundations directly, Heinrich Böll Foundation, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, or KAAD
5. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview

Deadline

⚠️ 31 July 2026 (annual for DAAD EPOS). Deadlines vary by programme, check each scholarship individually.

Summary