Scholarships for Indian Students in Germany in 2026
Germany has emerged as one of the most attractive destinations for higher-education for Indian students, due to its world-class universities, research excellence, and low or no tuition fees at public institutions. However, while tuition may be minimal, living expenses, insurance, and academic costs still require careful financial planning. Fortunately, a wide range of scholarships are offered by the German government, universities, foundations, and European programmes, making Germany significantly more affordable for deserving Indian students.
Scholarships for Indian Students in Germany:
Popular Scholarship options that Indian undergraduate students can explore for study or study-related funding in Germany
|
Scholarship / Programme |
Level |
What It Supports |
Notes & Eligibility |
|
DAAD — University Summer Courses (HSK) |
UG |
Short-term German language & regional studies course funding |
One-time grant for language/cultural courses at German universities; helps UG students gain exposure. |
|
DAAD — IAESTE Internships |
UG |
Internships in natural sciences/engineering |
Covers internships (2–12 months) for UG in sciences/engineering fields under IAESTE exchange. |
|
DAAD — WISE Internship Programme |
UG |
Working internship support |
Provides monthly stipend + allowances for science/engineering internships (summer). |
|
Deutschlandstipendium (National Scholarship Program) |
UG / All |
€300/month subsidy |
Merit-based scholarship available at many German universities (Indian students eligible if enrolled). |
|
STIBET Scholarships (University-based) |
UG |
Financial support for enrolled students |
Grants for students already studying at a German university; offered by individual institutions. |
|
University-Specific International Scholarships |
UG / All |
Varies (cash/stipend) |
Many universities offer their own awards for international undergraduates when you enrol (e.g., TU Dresden, Heidelberg Uni). |
|
Foundation & Private Scholarships |
UG / All |
Variable financial aid |
Foundations (e.g., Heinrich Böll, Friedrich Ebert) primarily focus on postgraduate, but some scheme variants may support UG / exchange participation in Germany. |
Popular Scholarship options available to Indian students for Master’s (MS) level programmes in Germany, including government, university, foundation and EU-level funding
|
Scholarship / Programme |
Provider |
Level |
Benefits |
Notes |
|
DAAD Scholarship (Study & Research) |
German Academic Exchange Service |
MS |
Monthly stipend (~€850–€1,200), travel allowance, insurance |
Major German govt scholarship; widely applicable to international MS students after admission to a German university. |
|
DAAD EPOS Scholarships |
DAAD |
MS (Development-related) |
€934–€1,300/month + tuition + allowances |
For development-related postgraduate courses; work experience may be required |
|
DAAD Helmut Schmidt Programme |
DAAD |
Master’s in Public Policy/Governance |
Tuition waiver + €934/month + health insurance + travel |
Designed for future leaders in governance and development fields. |
|
Deutschlandstipendium |
Federal Government + Private Sponsors |
MS |
€300/month |
Merit-based support available to all nationalities including Indians; applies after enrolment. |
|
Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships |
Political/Foundation |
MS & PhD |
Monthly stipend (typically ~€750-€1,350) |
Requires academic excellence + social/political engagement. |
|
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Scholarships |
Political/Foundation |
MS & PhD |
~€850-€1,200/month + insurance |
For students with leadership potential and socio-political interest. |
|
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Scholarships |
Foundation |
MS & PhD |
~€850-€1,350/month + allowances |
For socially committed students with strong academics) |
|
Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarships |
Foundation |
MS & PhD |
~€1,000-€1,350/month |
Focus on social justice/activism; includes allowances. |
|
Erasmus+ Joint Master Degrees |
European Commission |
Joint MS across EU |
~€850-€1,400/month + tuition + travel |
Covers tuition & living costs; requirement varies by programme. |
|
University-Specific Scholarships (e.g., TUM, EBS, CBS, etc.) |
Individual Universities |
MS |
Tuition discounts / stipends / one-time grants |
Many German universities offer merit / need-based scholarships to international MS students. |
|
GOethe Goes Global Scholarships |
Goethe University / BMBF |
MS |
~€1,000/month |
For outstanding international postgraduate students (varies by uni). |
Is education free in Germany for Indian students?
A common question among prospective students is: Is education free in Germany for Indian students?
The answer is largely yes for public universities. Most public universities in Germany charge no tuition fees, even for international students. However, students must pay a semester contribution fee which typically ranges from €500 to €1500 per semester.
This fee usually covers:
- Administrative services
- Student union fees
- Public transportation passes
Private universities, however, charge tuition fees that can range from €10,000 to €30,000 per year.
Therefore, while education may not be completely free, studying in Germany is far more affordable than studying in the US, UK, or Australia.
How to Study in Germany for Free
Indian students can effectively study in Germany for free by following these strategies:
- Apply to public universities with no tuition fees
- Apply for DAAD or Erasmus + scholarships
- Work part-time up to 20 hours per week
- Choose English-taught programs available at many universities
Germany also allows international graduates to stay 18 months after completing their degree to find a job. Lesli Counsellors have assisted several students gain admission to public universities in Germany for both Bachelor and Master degree programs.
MBA Scholarships in Germany
While most public universities in Germany offer tuition-free education, MBA programs are usually fee-based, especially at top business schools. However, several MBA scholarships in Germany help reduce the financial burden.
Top MBA Scholarships
|
Scholarship |
Institution |
Coverage |
|
Mannheim MBA Scholarship |
Mannheim Business School |
Partial tuition waiver |
|
ESMT Berlin MBA Scholarship |
ESMT Berlin |
Up to €15,000 |
|
Frankfurt School MBA Scholarship |
Frankfurt School of Finance & Management |
Partial funding |
|
DAAD MBA Scholarships |
Various universities |
Tuition and monthly stipend |
PhD Stipend in Germany
Germany is one of the best countries for doctoral research because many PhD students receive funded research positions.
The average PhD stipend in Germany ranges between:
- €1,300 to €2,500 per month (approx. INR 1.3-2.6 lakh)
|
Academic Field |
Description |
Avg. Monthly Stipend in EUR |
Avg. Monthly Stipend in INR |
|
Engineering |
Often funded through salaried research contracts with strong industry links. |
EUR 2,500- EUR 3,000 |
INR 2.3 Lakh- INR 2.8 Lakh |
|
Medicine / Clinical Research |
Clinical and medical research roles often attract higher salaries. |
EUR 2,500- EUR 3,200 |
INR 2.3 Lakh- INR 3 Lakh |
|
Computer Science / IT |
High demand area; frequent salaried PhDs. |
EUR 2,300- EUR 3,000 |
INR 2.1 Lakh- INR 2.8 Lakh |
|
Natural Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Bio) |
Salaried positions common in research institutes or universities. |
EUR 2,000- EUR 2,800 |
INR 1.9 Lakh- INR 2.6 Lakh |
|
Humanities / Social Sciences |
Often funded through scholarships and fellowships. |
EUR 1,200- EUR 1,800 |
INR 1.1 Lakh- INR 1.7 Lakh |
|
DAAD / Standard Scholarship Stipend |
Typical government scholarship support for international PhDs. |
EUR 1,300 |
INR 1.2 Lakh |
PhD Scholarships for Women
Germany actively supports gender equality in academia and offers several PhD scholarships for women.
Some notable programs include:
- Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard Foundation Scholarship
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship
- DAAD Scholarships for Women Researchers
- Women in STEM scholarships offered by German universities
These initiatives aim to increase female participation in research and leadership roles in academia.
LLM in Germany for Indian Students
Germany is also becoming popular for LLM programs for Indian students, especially in areas like International law, European law, and Business law.
Top Universities Offering LLM Programs
- Humboldt University of Berlin
- Heidelberg University
- University of Hamburg
- Bucerius Law School
The tuition fee for LLM programs varies depending on the university:
- Public universities: €0 – €5,000 per year
- Private universities: €15,000+ per year
Cost of living in Germany for Students
The monthly cost of living in Germany for students typically ranges between EUR 900 and EUR 1,350 (approximately INR 84,000- INR 1.25 lakh), depending on the city and housing expenses. Note: As per DAAD’s guidelines, an applicant must prove that they have approx. EUR 992 per month for financial proof.
|
Monthly Expenditure |
Minimum Costs per Month (EUR) |
Minimum Costs per Month (INR) |
|
Accommodation and associated costs |
Between EUR 400 and 600 |
INR 40,000 - 60,000 |
|
Food |
Between EUR 200 and 300 |
INR 20,000 - 30,000 |
|
Health insurance |
Between EUR 100 and 150 |
INR 10,000 - 15,000 |
|
Study Materials |
Between EUR 20 and 40 |
INR 2000 - 4000 |
|
Internet and Mobile Phone |
Between EUR 20 and 50 |
INR 2000 - 5000 |
|
Additional costs (clothing, hygiene, etc.) |
Between EUR 50 and 200 |
INR 5000 - 20,000 |
Scholarships can transform the dream of studying in Germany into a financially viable reality. With options available across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels, Indian students who plan early, meet eligibility criteria, and submit strong applications stand a strong chance of securing funding. Careful research, timely preparation, and strategic application efforts can open doors not just to financial support, but to global exposure and long-term career opportunities in one of Europe’s strongest academic ecosystems.