Studying in Germany is not just about low or zero tuition. It is also about strong funding options that cut living costs and help with research and internships. Indian students get access to government scholarships, university funding, and private foundations. This guide covers the main programs, typical amounts, eligibility basics, deadlines, and how to plan a successful application.

 

Why Germany is affordable

Most public universities do not charge tuition for international students. Instead, students pay a semester contribution for admin, student services, and often a transport pass, typically around €100 to €300 per semester at public universities. Private universities charge tuition that usually starts around €5,000 and can go above €20,000 per year. copyright proof of funds, the standard blocked amount is €11,904 per year to show sufficient living costs to the embassy or consulate. Many students also see semester fees of €150 to €350 in practice and monthly living costs of about €1,000 to €1,500 depending on the city.

Most public universities have no tuition and require only semester fees around €100 to €300; the student visa proof of funds is €11,904 per year; living costs can often total €1,000 to €1,500 per month depending on location.

If planning a degree, also read up on program structure, language requirements, and admissions basics. For context on planning a degree path, see Masters in Germany for Indian Students and scholarship for masters in Germany for Indian students for a straightforward overview of requirements and timelines.

The main scholarship bodies

Germany’s biggest funding body is DAAD, the German Academic Exchange Service. DAAD runs dozens of programs for international students and researchers, including many open to Indian nationals. DAAD India shares India-specific calls, deadlines, and events through its regional offices and site.

• DAAD overview pages list eligibility, selection, duration, and the exact award per program.


• DAAD India publishes calls and program updates relevant to Indian students across degrees and research stays.

DAAD maintains a searchable scholarship database and publishes current application guidance; DAAD India lists India-focused calls and updates.

Key scholarships and amounts

Below is a quick table of the most cited, widely accessible options for Indian students. Amounts are per official or reliable sources.

Scholarship	Typical Funding	Duration	Who can apply	Notes
DAAD scholarships (various)	Varies by program	Varies	Bachelor, Master, PhD, research	Use the DAAD database to filter by degree and field .
Deutschlandstipendium	€300 per month	At least 2 semesters, up to standard study period	Bachelor and Master at participating institutions	About 31,500 students will be funded in 2023; selection by universities .
Erasmus+ mobility (via German university)	Varies by call	Short-term to semester	Enrolled students	Mobility grants for study or internships; check host uni. Source lists commonly include this under options .

The Deutschlandstipendium is €300 per month, funded half by the federal government and half by private sponsors, with about 31,500 recipients in 2023; universities set criteria and deadlines.

DAAD runs over 30 programs that Indian students can target in a given year across degree levels and subject areas. For discovery and matching, always start with the DAAD database and the DAAD India scholarship pages for current calls and timelines.

Costs to plan alongside scholarships

• Semester contribution: commonly €100 to €300 per semester at public universities.


• Living expenses: many cities will require €1,000 to €1,500 per month in practice, with Munich and Frankfurt on the higher end, and cities like Leipzig or Dresden on the lower end.


• Visa proof of funds: €11,904 per year currently for a student copyright.

Private universities often charge €5,000 to €20,000+ per year; public universities typically only require semester fees of €100 to €300, while living costs often run €1,000 to €1,500 per month and visa proof of funds is €11,904 per year.

How to choose the right scholarship

• Match program to degree level and field: Use DAAD’s database filters to narrow by degree, discipline, and country of origin.


• Check university participation: Scholarships like Deutschlandstipendium are run by participating institutions; selection and deadlines are set locally.


• Look at mobility options: Erasmus+ and DAAD short-term research funding can cover a semester, internship, or lab visit even if the main degree is self-funded.


• Plan early: Competitive programs will expect a solid academic record, clear motivation, and where relevant, a research proposal. DAAD’s guidelines explain selection criteria and application steps in detail.

DAAD’s pages explain application conditions, requirements, and selection; universities administer Deutschlandstipendium with their own timelines and criteria.

Application timeline and documents

For most scholarships, expect the following steps:

• Research and shortlist: Start with DAAD’s database and DAAD India pages for current calls and exact deadlines.


• Prepare documents: Transcripts, CV, language scores, motivation letter, recommendation letters, and if needed, a research proposal; always follow the program’s format and language requirements as stated in DAAD guidance.


• Submit via the specified portal: Some programs use DAAD’s portal; for university-run awards like Deutschlandstipendium, apply via the university following its posted deadlines.

DAAD provides detailed instructions for scholarship applicants on conditions, requirements, and selection; universities publish criteria and deadlines for Deutschlandstipendium locally.

Practical budget for Indian students

Plan a base budget first, then layer scholarships and part-time work. A simple starting point for a public university student:

• Semester contribution: €100 to €300 per semester.


• Living: €1,000 to €1,500 per month depending on city and lifestyle.


• Visa proof: €11,904 per year currently required for blocked account evidence.


• Potential offset: Deutschlandstipendium at €300 per month reduces the monthly gap modestly. A DAAD full scholarship may cover monthly stipend, travel, and insurance, but amounts vary by program and must be checked in the database.

Use DAAD’s database to confirm exact monthly rates and coverage per program; combine a €300 per month Deutschlandstipendium with low public university fees to reduce total out-of-pocket costs.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming public means zero cost: semester contributions are standard and non-trivial over a multi-year degree.


• Ignoring city costs: city choice can swing living expenses by hundreds of euros monthly.


• Applying late: many scholarships have early deadlines relative to program start; DAAD and universities publish dates well in advance.


• Using generic documents: selection panels look for concise, tailored motivation and clear academic fit; DAAD outlines expectations in its guidance.

Semester contributions apply at public universities, city living costs vary widely, and deadlines are published early by DAAD and institutions; applications must be tailored to stated criteria.

Where to search and what to bookmark

• DAAD Scholarships overview and database: search by nationality, level, and field for current programs and amounts.


• DAAD India pages: India-focused calls and events with latest application notices.


• Important information for applicants: DAAD’s step-by-step on requirements and selection.


• Deutschlandstipendium details: €300 per month, administered by universities, with 31,500 recipients in 2023; check local university pages for deadlines.

Rely on DAAD’s official pages and DAAD India for authoritative details, then verify program specifics and dates in the database and the host university’s site.

For program planning, admissions, and timelines, see Masters in Germany for Indian Students. For deeper funding focus at the graduate level, see scholarship for masters in germany for indian students for practical pointers on combining low tuition, scholarships, and city choice.

Action plan for Indian applicants

• Build a target list of 5 to 8 programs and note their costs and cities.


• Shortlist 3 to 5 scholarships from DAAD’s database that align with degree level and field.


• Check if target universities run Deutschlandstipendium and note those deadlines.


• Draft a tight motivation letter that speaks to program criteria as listed in DAAD’s application guidance and university pages.


• Prepare visa finances with the current €11,904 blocked account requirement and look to scholarships to offset living costs once in Germany.

Anchor the plan on verified costs and official scholarship listings: semester fees €100 to €300, visa funds €11,904, monthly living often €1,000 to €1,500, DAAD programs via the database, and €300 per month Deutschlandstipendium where available.