Because most German public universities charge little or no tuition even for international undergraduates, the scholarships available at this level tend to focus on covering living costs rather than fees, and several are specifically open to students already partway through a degree.
The ten options below reflect the realistic funding landscape for undergraduate study in Germany.
1. Deutschlandstipendium
This national merit scholarship pays a fixed monthly amount to academically strong undergraduate students at participating universities, international and domestic alike, funded jointly by the federal government and private sponsors.
2. Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholarship (Undergraduate Track)
The [Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholarship](/konrad-adenauer-scholarship/) supports students from their third semester onward, including undergraduates, with a monthly stipend alongside the foundation’s seminar program.
3. Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarship (Undergraduate Track)
The [Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarship](/heinrich-boll-scholarship/) funds undergraduate students in later semesters whose academic interests connect to sustainability, ecology, or human rights, providing a monthly stipend.
4. Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship (Undergraduate Track)
The [Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship](/friedrich-ebert-scholarship/) supports undergraduates with a demonstrated interest in social democratic values and community engagement, offering a monthly stipend from the third semester onward.
5. DAAD Study Scholarships for Bachelor’s and Master’s Students in Rare or Special Subjects
This DAAD scheme funds a short period of study in Germany for students enrolled in subjects with limited availability elsewhere, covering a monthly stipend, insurance, and travel allowance.
6. Erasmus+ Study Abroad Grants for Exchange Semesters in Germany
Students already enrolled at a partner university can receive Erasmus+ funding for an exchange semester or year at a German university, covering a monthly grant toward living and travel costs.
7. RWTH Aachen International Student Scholarship
RWTH Aachen offers merit-based scholarships to strong international undergraduates in engineering and technical fields, providing a monthly stipend for part of the degree.
8. Technical University of Munich International Scholarship
TUM supports a number of international undergraduates with merit-based scholarships intended to help cover living costs during the first years of study.
9. University of Freiburg Scholarship for International Students
Freiburg offers a limited number of scholarships to international undergraduates with strong academic records, providing a monthly stipend to help cover living expenses.
10. Bayer Foundation Scholarship for Science Students
This foundation scholarship supports undergraduate and graduate students in the natural sciences, with particular attention to projects connected to sustainability and innovation.
Because many of these programs expect at least a semester or two of academic performance in Germany before a student becomes eligible, researching funding options before arrival and reapplying once enrolled is a realistic two-step plan.
Learning German to at least an intermediate level before arrival opens up both foundation scholarships and part-time work opportunities that are otherwise difficult to access, since most undergraduate programs and campus jobs in Germany still operate primarily in German.
Students should also confirm whether a scholarship payment affects their blocked account requirement for the student visa, since some stipends can be used to partially offset the amount otherwise required to prove financial self-sufficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do international undergraduates pay tuition at German public universities?
Most pay only a modest semester contribution rather than full tuition, though some programs and the state of Baden-Wurttemberg charge fees for non-EU students.
Can first-year students apply for foundation scholarships like Konrad Adenauer?
Generally no, most political foundation scholarships require at least two to three semesters of academic performance in Germany before a student becomes eligible.
Is German language proficiency required for undergraduate scholarships?
Yes, since most German bachelor’s programs are taught in German, a recognized German language certificate is typically required alongside academic qualifications.
How much does the Deutschlandstipendium pay?
It pays a fixed monthly stipend for at least two semesters, split between federal government funding and private sponsors, with the exact amount subject to change.
Are these scholarships renewable for the full degree?
Some, like the Deutschlandstipendium, require reapplication each year, while others fund a defined number of semesters rather than the entire degree length.
Can Erasmus+ funding be used for a full degree in Germany?
No, Erasmus+ specifically funds a temporary exchange period rather than a complete degree program.
Do technical universities offer more scholarships than other German universities?
Not necessarily more in number, but institutions like RWTH Aachen and TUM do run dedicated scholarship schemes reflecting their strong international student populations in engineering and science fields.