Do any external scholarships, like DAAD or Deutschlandstipendium, cover living expenses for international students in Germany, and if so, how much per month?
Yes, DAAD Master's scholarships currently pay 992 euros a month toward living expenses, DAAD PhD scholarships pay 1,400 euros a month, and Deutschlandstipendium pays 300 euros a month. DAAD's 992 euro rate also meets Germany's minimum financial proof requirement for a student visa.
Your living expenses in Germany can be substantially covered by external scholarships, and the amount varies a lot depending on which scholarship you receive.
Monthly scholarship amounts
| Scholarship | Monthly amount | Meets visa financial minimum? |
|---|---|---|
| DAAD Master's scholarship | 992 euros | Yes |
| DAAD PhD scholarship | 1,400 euros | Yes, with margin |
| Deutschlandstipendium | 300 euros | No, well below the minimum |
What else these scholarships include
- DAAD extras: some DAAD Master's scholarships also add insurance, a travel allowance, and an annual study allowance of 460 euros.
- Tuition not included: DAAD generally does not pay tuition fees, so you still need to check your university's own fee status separately.
- India-specific option: DAAD's KOSPIE program with Indian IITs currently offers 992 euros a month plus insurance and travel support for eligible participants.
My Advice
Prioritise DAAD program-specific scholarships over Deutschlandstipendium if living costs are your main concern, since 992 euros a month is far more substantial than 300 euros. Apply to Deutschlandstipendium as a supplementary top-up rather than your primary funding source, since it alone will not meet your visa's financial requirement.
How much will a month in Germany cost you?
Rent, food and travel. A real monthly budget, city by city.
More Cost & living questions
- If I get an education loan, can I proceed with the application after the loan amount is clear?
- Is it better to spend 12 lakhs in India or go abroad for higher studies in Germany for a Master's?
- Does the agency provide end-to-end services including visa, loan guidance, and accommodation?
- Is it possible to get a fully funded scholarship if he scores seven or above (seventy percent) in the third year in Germany?
- Do I need to score well in GRE, GMAT, or IELTS to get good scholarships in top business schools for a MBA?
- Do I need to show living expenses in my bank account for visa purposes, and can I withdraw it after reaching Ireland?
- How do I get an education loan for an MBA abroad as an Indian student?
- Which is more suitable for my son's master's education: Dubai or the USA, considering cost, location, program variety, post-study work options, and pathways to permanent residency?
More Germany questions
- Other than Canada and Netherlands, are there better countries to study science and technology in Germany/Singapore?
- What are some effective online German language classes for Indian students preparing to study in Germany?
- Is Germany the best first priority country for my course and career scope for a Master's?
- Why is the dMAT subject module called Battery Science and Technology in Engineering?
- Can I target Germany, Italy, or the Netherlands for a master's in computer science without a computer science background?
- Does my 12th grade percentage affect my master's application in Germany/France for a Bachelor's?
- Would you suggest me to give IELTS first before starting the application process in Germany/Italy for a Master's?
- What are the three Core Module subtests in the dMAT exam, and what does each one actually ask you to do?