Applications are open for the DAAD University Summer Courses offered in Germany for Foreign Students and Graduates, an international scholarship programme that enables eligible university students to spend four intensive weeks studying German language and regional studies at participating higher education institutions in Germany.

The programme is administered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and funded by Germany’s Federal Foreign Office. Its central objective is to help international students deepen their knowledge of German as a general and technical language while expanding their understanding of German society, culture and regional studies.

For the upcoming cycle, applications are accepted from:

1 September 2026

until:

30 October 2026 at 23:59 Central European Time

The funded courses themselves take place between June and September 2027. Courses last four weeks, normally operate no more than five days per week and provide at least 25 teaching hours per week. They are taught entirely in German and must be attended physically in Germany; remote participation is not permitted.

The scholarship package includes:

• Full coverage of the selected language course costs
• Accommodation arranged by the course provider for the duration of the course
• A one-time allowance of €475
• A country-specific travel allowance for applicants from selected countries
• Health insurance
• Accident insurance
• Personal liability insurance

The accommodation is normally provided in a single room, which may be located in a student residence, shared apartment or private household.

The programme is open across academic disciplines. Students do not need to be studying German, linguistics or another humanities subject. Eligible applicants may come from fields ranging from engineering and medicine to social sciences, law, arts, natural sciences and economics.

However, several important eligibility conditions apply. Applicants must be enrolled at an eligible university outside Germany, must remain enrolled throughout the scholarship period, must have sufficient German-language knowledge, and undergraduate students must have completed at least two years of university study by the beginning of the funded course.

Below is a detailed guide to the DAAD University Summer Courses Scholarship 2027, including funding, eligibility, German-language requirements, application documents, selection criteria, course choice and the application process.

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About the DAAD University Summer Courses Programme

The programme is officially known as:

University Summer Courses offered in Germany for Foreign Students and Graduates

and is commonly associated with the German abbreviation HSK, referring to university summer language courses.

Unlike a full Bachelor’s, Master’s or doctoral scholarship, this programme funds a short, intensive study period in Germany.

Its purpose is specifically to help participants improve:

• General German
• Technical or subject-specific German
• Knowledge of German society
• Understanding of German culture
• Knowledge of regional studies
• Ability to communicate in academic and professional environments

The programme therefore combines language development with direct exposure to Germany.

Participants do not simply complete an online German course from their home countries. They travel to Germany and study in person at a participating course provider.

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What Can Be Studied?

Funding is available for participation in:

• German language courses
• Cultural and regional studies courses
• Technical and specialized language courses

The precise courses available vary according to the participating German universities and course providers.

DAAD publishes a dedicated course list containing information such as:

• Host institution
• Course dates
• Required language level
• Course focus
• Subject specialization
• Location

Applicants should review the course list before completing their scholarship application.

The scholarship application requires candidates to indicate three preferred courses, although these preferences do not guarantee placement in one of the three choices.

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Courses Are Conducted Entirely in German

One of the most important conditions is that:

Courses are taught exclusively in German.

This is not a beginner programme designed for candidates with no knowledge of German.

Applicants need sufficient German-language ability to:

• Follow lessons
• Understand instructors
• Participate in discussions
• Complete group work
• Engage meaningfully with course activities

Proof of German proficiency must therefore be submitted with the application.

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In-Person Participation Is Mandatory

The programme takes place:

Exclusively in person in Germany.

DAAD explicitly states that:

Remote participation is not possible.

Applicants should therefore be ready to travel to Germany and remain there for the full duration of their assigned course.

This physical immersion is an important part of the programme because students develop their German not only through classroom study but also through everyday interaction and cultural exposure.

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Duration of the DAAD Summer Course Scholarship

Each funded course lasts:

Four weeks

The programme normally involves:

• Maximum five teaching days per week
• At least 25 teaching hours per week

This means participants may complete at least approximately:

100 teaching hours

during the four-week period.

The scholarship cannot be extended beyond the approved course period.

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When Do the Courses Take Place?

University Summer Courses funded under the programme take place between:

June and September

For applicants submitting during the September–October 2026 application window, the relevant courses are therefore expected to take place during summer 2027.

Exact dates depend on the course selected and the host institution.

Applicants should consult the DAAD course list because different universities may run their programmes at different times within this summer period.

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Scholarship Benefits

The DAAD package contains several significant forms of financial and practical support.

1. Language Course Fees

DAAD covers the:

Cost of the funded language course.

This means scholarship recipients do not need to pay the normal tuition or participation fee for their assigned course.

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2. Accommodation Is Provided

The course provider arranges accommodation for the scholarship holder during the programme.

Accommodation is provided in a:

Single room

and may be located in settings such as:

• Student dormitory
• Shared apartment
• Private household

This is a particularly useful component of the scholarship because students do not need to independently find short-term accommodation in Germany for the four-week programme.

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3. €475 One-Time Allowance

Scholarship recipients receive a:

One-time allowance of €475.

This allowance can help with personal costs associated with participation.

It is important to understand how it is paid.

DAAD does not transfer the €475 allowance abroad before the programme begins.

Instead, DAAD transfers the relevant funds to the course provider, which distributes the allowance to scholarship recipients in Germany.

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4. Country-Specific Travel Allowance

Applicants from selected countries may also receive a:

Country-specific travel allowance.

The exact value is determined according to the applicant’s eligible country and DAAD’s applicable travel allowance schedule.

Applicants should not assume that every participant receives the same amount.

It is also important not to describe the programme as providing universal full airfare reimbursement. DAAD describes this component as a country-specific allowance for selected countries, rather than guaranteeing reimbursement of every travel expense.

As with the €475 allowance, applicable travel support is distributed through the course provider on site rather than transferred abroad before the scholarship begins.

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5. Health Insurance

The scholarship includes:

Health insurance benefits

during the funded period.

This provides important protection for international students temporarily studying in Germany.

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6. Accident Insurance

The scholarship also includes:

Accident insurance

for scholarship holders during the programme period.

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7. Personal Liability Insurance

Participants additionally receive:

Personal liability insurance benefits.

Taken together, these insurance components provide a broader support package than a simple course-fee waiver.

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Is This a Fully Funded Scholarship?

The programme provides substantial funding, but it is best described as a:

Funded short-term scholarship

rather than automatically calling it completely cost-free.

DAAD covers:

• Course fees
• Accommodation
• €475 allowance
• Insurance
• Travel support for selected countries

However, applicants should still budget carefully for personal expenses that may exceed the provided allowance.

The programme description does not state that every possible expense—such as all meals, all local transport, visa expenses or every euro of international airfare—is universally reimbursed.

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Who Can Apply?

The current DAAD call states that applications are open to:

• Undergraduate students
• Master’s students

from:

All academic disciplines.

Despite the programme title referring to “Foreign Students and Graduates,” the current live eligibility conditions require applicants to be enrolled at a university at the time of application and throughout the scholarship period.

Applicants should therefore follow the current country-specific DAAD scholarship database requirements rather than assuming that anyone who has already graduated and is no longer enrolled automatically qualifies.

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Undergraduate Eligibility

Bachelor’s or equivalent undergraduate students can apply.

However, they must have completed at least:

Two academic years of university study

by the time the funded course begins.

For example, a student who applies in October 2026 may qualify if they will have completed two full academic years by summer 2027.

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Master’s Students

Students enrolled in Master’s programmes may also apply.

The programme is not restricted to particular Master’s disciplines.

Candidates may come from subjects including:

• International relations
• Engineering
• Computer science
• Economics
• Law
• Medicine
• Languages
• Sociology
• Political science
• Natural sciences
• Arts
• Business
• Agriculture
• Environmental sciences
• Other recognised fields

The central requirement is not the applicant’s major but their overall eligibility and motivation for improving their German.

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Applicants Must Be Enrolled Outside Germany

Applicants must be enrolled at a university in one of DAAD’s eligible programme countries:

Outside Germany

both:

• At the time of application
• During the entire scholarship period

This programme is therefore not designed to fund students who are already studying at a German university as their normal degree institution.

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Minimum Age

Scholarship holders must be:

At least 18 years old

when the language course begins.

The published call does not state a general maximum age limit.

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Scholarship Can Only Be Used Once

DAAD states that funding under this programme can be claimed:

Only once.

Previous recipients of the same University Summer Courses scholarship should therefore check their eligibility carefully before attempting another application.

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German-Language Requirement

Applicants must demonstrate that they can:

• Follow lectures in German
• Participate in German-language group work

German knowledge must be documented at the time of application.

The precise minimum level may depend on the country-specific version of the scholarship call. DAAD’s current country-specific database results show different thresholds in some cases, so applicants should select their own country in the scholarship database and follow the requirement displayed for them rather than relying on a universal minimum level.

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Accepted German-Language Certificates

DAAD lists accepted certificates including:

• onSET-Deutsch
• TestDaF
• Goethe-Institut Zertifikat
• DSD
• DSH
• telc Deutsch
• ÖSD-Zertifikat
• Baccalaureate certificate for specialized language courses where applicable

Some country-specific calls may also accept the DAAD Language Certificate German under specified conditions.

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How Recent Must the Language Certificate Be?

Generally, the German certificate must not be older than:

One year

at the time of application.

This rule also applies to DSH.

However, certificates demonstrating at least:

• B2, or
• TDN4 in all TestDaF components

may be up to:

Two years old.

Applicants should therefore check the date of their language test well before beginning the application.

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Academic Discipline Requirements

One major advantage of the programme is that it is not restricted to German Studies students.

The DAAD scholarship database lists eligible academic fields across the full disciplinary spectrum, including:

• Languages and Cultural Studies
• Law
• Economics
• Social Sciences
• Mathematics
• Natural Sciences
• Human Medicine
• Veterinary Medicine
• Agriculture
• Forestry
• Nutrition
• Ecology
• Engineering
• Art
• Music
• Sport

This makes the scholarship potentially valuable to students who need German for:

• Future postgraduate study
• Research
• Professional careers
• International cooperation
• Academic exchange
• Technical work

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Selection Process

Applications are reviewed by a:

Selection committee

rather than being awarded automatically to all eligible candidates.

Two principal selection considerations are highlighted by DAAD:

1. Previous academic achievements
2. A convincing motivation letter explaining the chosen programme and future academic plans

Meeting the minimum eligibility conditions therefore does not guarantee selection.

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Academic Achievement

Applicants should demonstrate solid performance in their university studies.

DAAD requests academic records covering recent university examinations.

The selection committee can use these records to assess:

• Academic consistency
• Performance
• Study progress
• Preparation for the scholarship

Applicants should provide complete records rather than selecting only their strongest grades.

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Motivation Letter

A convincing:

Letter of motivation

is one of the central selection criteria.

The motivation letter should explain why the applicant wants to improve their German and how the summer course relates to their:

• Academic degree
• Future postgraduate plans
• Research interests
• Professional plans
• Engagement with Germany
• Academic development

A generic statement such as “I like German culture and want to improve my language skills” is unlikely to communicate the same level of purpose as a detailed explanation connecting German proficiency with future academic objectives.

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Application Documents

A complete application requires several documents.

1. Online Application Form

Applicants must complete the official:

DAAD online application form.

The application is submitted through the DAAD portal.

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2. Curriculum Vitae

Applicants need a:

Complete CV in tabular form.

The general DAAD call requests the CV in German.

Some country-specific rules may provide limited language exceptions, so applicants should follow the instructions displayed for their own country.

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3. Motivation Letter

Applicants must provide a:

Letter of motivation

normally in German.

The letter should present a clear connection among:

• Current studies
• German-language development
• Course choice
• Future academic plans

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4. University Transcripts

Applicants need transcripts covering:

University examinations taken during the previous two years

including individual grades.

If the documents are not already in German or English, a:

• German translation, or
• English translation

must be included.

If a student has been enrolled for less than two years and therefore cannot provide two full years of records, they should provide evidence of academic achievements from their current period of study.

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5. School-Leaving Certificate for Undergraduate Applicants

Bachelor’s-level applicants must also submit their:

School-leaving certificate with grades.

A German or English translation should be included where necessary.

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6. Previous Degree for Postgraduate Students

Applicants already studying at postgraduate level should provide their:

Most recent university degree certificate

including final grades.

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7. German-Language Certificate

Applicants must upload proof of their German-language proficiency.

If necessary, the certificate should be accompanied by a:

• German translation, or
• English translation

as appropriate.

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8. Additional Supporting Documents

Candidates may also upload other documents they consider relevant.

Examples provided by DAAD include:

• Internship certificates
• Employment certificates

Applicants should use this option strategically.

Additional material should strengthen the case for the scholarship rather than overwhelm the application with unrelated documents.

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Do Documents Need to Be Certified?

At the initial application stage, DAAD states that:

• Certificates
• Transcripts
• Attestations
• Translations

may be submitted in:

Uncertified form.

However, DAAD reserves the right to request certified copies later.

Applicants should therefore retain access to official originals.

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Incomplete Applications Are Not Considered

DAAD makes clear that all required documents must be uploaded by the deadline.

Incomplete applications:

Cannot be considered in the further selection process.

Candidates should therefore avoid submitting at the last moment.

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Choosing Three Preferred Courses

The application asks candidates to identify:

Three course preferences.

DAAD attempts to take these choices into consideration when placing scholarship holders.

However, capacity is limited.

DAAD reserves the right to place a successful scholarship recipient in:

A different course

if the preferred courses are full or placement requirements make another course more appropriate.

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Course Preferences Cannot Be Changed Later

Once the application has been received:

Course preferences cannot be changed.

Applicants also cannot simply switch to another course after receiving their placement.

Candidates should therefore research their three selections carefully before submitting.

Consider:

• Course level
• Location
• Dates
• Specialization
• Academic relevance
• Language requirements

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Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Confirm Your Country and Status

Go to the DAAD scholarship database and select:

• Your country
• Your student status

The programme is restricted to specified countries, and requirements can differ depending on the applicant’s country.

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Step 2: Check Your Eligibility

Confirm that you:

• Are enrolled at an eligible university outside Germany
• Will remain enrolled during the scholarship period
• Meet the academic-stage requirement
• Will be at least 18 when the course starts
• Meet the applicable German-language requirement
• Have not previously received this scholarship

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Step 3: Review the Course List

Study the available University Summer Courses and identify three suitable choices.

Consider which course best supports your:

• German level
• Academic specialization
• Future study
• Career plans

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Step 4: Register in the DAAD Portal

Applicants must create or access an account in the:

DAAD application portal.

DAAD advises that its portal has limited functionality on mobile devices and recommends using a desktop computer.

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Step 5: Complete the Online Form

Enter all required information and download or complete the relevant application forms according to the portal instructions.

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Step 6: Prepare Supporting Documents

Compile:

• CV
• Motivation letter
• Transcripts
• School certificate where applicable
• Previous university degree where applicable
• German-language certificate
• Relevant optional evidence

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Step 7: Translate Documents Where Necessary

Documents not already in German or English should be translated as instructed.

The translation should be uploaded together with the original document.

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Step 8: Upload Everything in PDF Format

Upload the application form and supporting documents through the DAAD portal.

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Step 9: Submit Before October 30

The annual application deadline is:

30 October at 23:59 Central European Time.

For the summer 2027 cycle, candidates should therefore submit by:

30 October 2026 at 23:59 CET.

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Application Opening Date

Applications are possible beginning:

1 September each year.

For the 2027 summer-course cycle, this means the application window runs from:

1 September 2026 to 30 October 2026.

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Application Deadline

The final deadline is:

30 October 2026 at 23:59 Central European Time

Applicants in other time zones should convert the deadline carefully.

Do not assume that October 30 means midnight in your own local time.

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Sustainability Requirement

The current DAAD application information also states that applicants commit themselves to:

Dealing sensitively with the issue of sustainability.

Candidates should therefore pay attention to any sustainability-related information or commitments included in the application and scholarship conditions.

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How to Write a Strong Motivation Letter

1. Explain Why German Matters to Your Academic Future

Make the connection specific.

For example, German could help you:

• Read academic literature
• Prepare for postgraduate study
• Work with German research institutions
• Participate in future exchange programmes
• Conduct research in Germany
• Develop technical vocabulary

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2. Connect the Course to Your Subject

Even though all disciplines are eligible, explain why the chosen course is relevant to your field.

An engineering student might emphasize technical German.

A historian might emphasize German-language primary sources.

A political science student might discuss German or European policy research.

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3. Explain Your Future Academic Project

DAAD explicitly assesses motivation in relation to the applicant’s:

Future academic project.

A strong application therefore looks beyond the four-week course and explains what the applicant intends to do afterward.

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4. Demonstrate Existing Commitment to German

Since applicants already need German-language competence, show how you have developed your skills.

Possible examples include:

• University language courses
• Goethe-Institut study
• Independent learning
• Previous certificates
• German-language academic activities

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5. Research Your Course Preferences

Do not choose three summer courses randomly.

Explain why the overall programme and selected course type support your development.

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Scholarship Benefits at a Glance

Programme: University Summer Courses offered in Germany for Foreign Students and Graduates

Provider: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

Funding source: German Federal Foreign Office

Country: Germany

Course duration: Four weeks

Teaching: At least 25 hours per week

Format: In person only

Teaching language: German

Programme period: June–September 2027

Course fees: Covered

Accommodation: Provided in a single room

One-time allowance: €475

Travel support: Country-specific allowance for selected countries

Health insurance: Included

Accident insurance: Included

Personal liability insurance: Included

Application opening: 1 September 2026

Application deadline: 30 October 2026 at 23:59 CET

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Application Checklist

Before submitting, confirm that you:

1. Are studying at an eligible university outside Germany.
2. Will remain enrolled throughout the scholarship period.
3. Are at least 18 by the start of the summer course.
4. Meet the academic-stage requirement.
5. Have completed at least two university years if applying as an undergraduate.
6. Meet your country-specific German requirement.
7. Have a valid accepted German-language certificate.
8. Have not previously received this programme’s funding.
9. Have selected three appropriate course preferences.
10. Have prepared your CV.
11. Have written your motivation letter.
12. Have recent academic transcripts.
13. Have your school-leaving certificate if required.
14. Have your previous university degree if required.
15. Have translated documents where necessary.
16. Have uploaded every required document.
17. Submit before 30 October 2026 at 23:59 CET.

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Important Note on Country-Specific Requirements

The DAAD scholarship database requires applicants to select their:

• Status
• Country of application

before accessing the relevant application pathway.

The programme is explicitly restricted to:

Specified countries.

Country-specific details may differ, particularly regarding:

• Minimum German level
• Accepted documentation
• Travel allowance
• Application-document language

Applicants should therefore rely on the version of the scholarship listing generated after selecting their own country.

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Why Consider the DAAD University Summer Courses Scholarship?

For students already learning German, this programme offers an unusual combination of:

• Intensive language study
• Cultural immersion
• Academic development
• Accommodation
• Financial support
• International experience

Four weeks of intensive teaching at a minimum of 25 hours per week can provide considerably greater language exposure than occasional classes during a normal semester.

The opportunity can be particularly useful for students planning future:

• Master’s study in Germany
• Doctoral research
• Exchange programmes
• Academic collaboration
• Careers involving German institutions
• International professional work

It can also provide an accessible introduction to studying and living in Germany before committing to a longer degree programme.

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Official Information and Application

Applicants should use the official DAAD Scholarship Database for the current country-specific eligibility and application instructions.

Official DAAD University Summer Courses Scholarship page

The DAAD page provides access to:

• Course listings
• Application requirements
• Application procedure
• FAQs
• DAAD portal instructions
• Country-specific eligibility information

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Conclusion

The DAAD University Summer Courses Scholarship 2027 provides international university students with an opportunity to spend four intensive weeks in Germany strengthening their German-language skills while gaining greater knowledge of German culture and regional studies.

The programme is open across academic disciplines and funds German-language, cultural studies and technical-language courses delivered by participating institutions in Germany.

Successful scholarship holders receive course-fee coverage, accommodation in a single room, a €475 one-time allowance, health, accident and personal liability insurance, and country-specific travel support for eligible applicants from selected countries.

Courses take place between June and September 2027, last four weeks and provide at least 25 teaching hours per week. All courses are conducted in German and participation is exclusively in person.

Applicants must be enrolled at an eligible university outside Germany both when applying and during the scholarship period. Undergraduate students must have completed at least two university years by the beginning of the funded course. Applicants must also demonstrate sufficient German-language ability and submit an accepted language certificate.

Selection is competitive and considers both academic achievement and the strength of the applicant’s motivation, particularly the connection between German-language study and future academic plans.

Applications for the 2027 summer-course cycle are open from 1 September 2026 and must be submitted by:

30 October 2026 at 23:59 Central European Time.

For international students who already possess some German and want an intensive, funded opportunity to improve their skills while experiencing academic life in Germany, the DAAD University Summer Courses programme is a particularly valuable short-term study opportunity.

To know more about this opportunity, VISIT HERE.

 

Please select your status and your country to enable you to submit an application.

 

To discover more global scholarships opportunities, CLICK HERE.