Planning to apply for a scholarship for MS in Germany? You are definitely on the right track! Germany is one of the top destinations to study abroad, especially for Indian students. It is globally renowned for its top-ranked educational institutions, high quality of life, and free or affordable education at public universities for all students.
However, studying in Germany involves many added expenses, including accommodation, study materials, administrative costs, living costs, utilities, travel, food and groceries, and more. In these scenarios, you need to understand how to get a scholarship for MS in Germany for Indian students since it will help you meet these costs to a large extent.
How to get a scholarship for MS in Germany?
Wondering how to get a scholarship for MS in Germany? You have to look for scholarships where you are eligible based on your academic subject or discipline. You should meet varying eligibility criteria for getting a scholarship. Some may require enrollment already into a university, while some require signing charters by both German and home institutions, such as the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education.
Some may require you to meet the age criteria or enroll in a recognized and eligible course under a university in Germany. You also have to prove financial and circumstantial needs by presenting bank statements, financial and income statements of your parents, and so on. Some may require scores in standardized tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, GMAT, GRE, etc. You should check all the criteria carefully before applying.
DAAD Scholarship- The Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst German Academic Exchange Service is the world’s biggest organisation offering financial support. DAAD also provides aid to international students from several countries, backing 100,000+ international and German aspirants annually and supporting researchers financially. The DAAD also offers financial aid to those coming from developing nations.
Deutschlandstipendium– 22,500+ aspirants get benefits under this national programme under the supervision of the German Federal Government. This is a collaboration between several private and public institutions for rewarding students who are meritorious and talented. Via sponsorship from various foundations, organisations, businesses, and universities, students get 300 Euros per month. Students also get access to internships, networking initiatives, and mentoring programs. The selection does not consider parents’ income, personal circumstances, and nationality of eligible candidates. If you meet the requirements for studying at the university, then you will qualify under the Deutschlandstipendium. The funding is available for a minimum of two semesters, and it may go up if the university considers you eligible for getting additional financial support.
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung scholarship- This organisation offers financial aid to both German and international students who are meritorious and with enhanced awareness regarding civil and social responsibility, majorly being involved in socio-political activities. This political foundation offers up to €1,000 per month to cover enrollment charges, study materials, books, and health insurance.
Heinrich Boll Foundation- The Heinrich Boll Foundation offers multiple scholarships for German and international students at all academic levels. Yet, the foundation majorly awards those applicants who are planning to enrol for subjects in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) category and courses that majorly emphasize environmental science. Other scholarships are applicable for those pursuing legal studies, economic studies, art, and journalism.
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS)- International students planning for pursuing their PhD or Masters course in the country may be eligible for KAS scholarship programs. The scholarship is given for one year. A key criterion is that students should demonstrate level 2 CEFR at least in German language understanding and abilities, even when applying for degrees taught in English. Applicants should also meet the criteria in terms of age, i.e. they should be 30 years old at the most.
Bayer Foundation Scholarship- The organisation provides financial aid to professionals and students both from Germany and other countries willing to go for educational courses or research-oriented programs. The key criteria are that students should have excellent academic records, and their projects should emphasize highly innovative approaches and topics alike.
Many other organisations like Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung and Friedrich Naumann Stiftung also provide financial aid to eligible aspirants. Many religious bodies like KAAD, Cusanuswerk, and Evangelischen StudentInnengemeinde offer financial support to aspirants as well. You can also get financial support from programs such as MAWISTA, HEMHOLTZ Association, and Marie Sklodowska-Curie.
There are a variety of highly specialized German university scholarships, including up to €400 each month for those at the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences. This is given for four semesters for those enrolled in specific Masters’s Programs. The Leipzig Graduate School of Management offers financial support for various MSc courses. Other options include scholarships from Ulm University, ESMT MBA, and RWTH Aachen.
The Erasmus scholarship program is another great option for those international students who wish to take part in a full-time educational course in Germany. With the EU-wide grant funded by European Union (EU) member nations, Erasmus offers financial support to international students for a year at German universities. However, eligible applicants should be enrolled in an institution for higher education to obtain this scholarship. In contrast, both the German and your home institutions should have been signatories to the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education.
A sizable number of top European universities are participants in this program. Universities in Germany participate in several programs with funding from the Erasmus Mundus and Erasmus+ scholarship programs. Students get coverage for living costs, university enrollment fees, and travel costs under this program.
Always start preparing your applications beforehand and submit them before the deadline.
Check the eligibility guidelines carefully and make sure that you are eligible for all the mentioned points.
Contact your scholarship providing institution for further clarifications in this regard.
Apply for multiple scholarships without staying restricted to a single option. This will naturally increase your chances of getting an MS study scholarship in Germany.
How difficult is it to get a scholarship for MS in Germany?
It is difficult to get a scholarship for MS in Germany, although students can still get through, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. The criteria are diverse, and you should look at requirements like academic scores, nationality, location, institution, choice of course, extra-curricular activities, standardized test scores, socio-political involvement, community initiatives, financial background, and other criteria, depending upon the organization. Several institutional scholarships are also available in Germany.
How much scholarship can you get for MS in Germany?
The scholarship amount varies from one provider to another in Germany. In usual cases, you can expect scholarships to offer full funding for enrollment, travel, health insurance, accommodation, and other costs. Some may offer to fund for limited periods of one year or two semesters. Some may provide partial funding in selected categories. There is no definite system.
Can you get a 100% scholarship for MS in Germany?
Yes, some organizations and providers offer 100% scholarships in Germany for MS; however, the actual funding may come down to around 85-90%, with students paying nominal charges. Fully-funded scholarships are also available at institutions in some cases. Apply after carefully viewing all these parameters.
upGrad Abroad Editorial Team |4230 articles published
We are a dedicated team of study-abroad experts, ensuring intensive research and comprehensive information in each of our blogs. With every piece written, we aim at simplifying the overseas education ...
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