DAAD Eligibility & Requirements 2027
Who qualifies for the DAAD Study Scholarship 2027, and the rules that block applicants: your country, degree, the 6-year window, time in Germany, language certificates and program-specific requirements.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
4 min read
Updated Oct 5, 2026
Quick Eligibility Checker
Answer 4 quick questions to see if you qualify. First, check that your country is one of the 64 that can apply in 2027/28 (see below).
- 1Do you have at least a Bachelor's degree (or will you before the scholarship starts)?
Still in final year? That usually counts; you hand in the certificate before funding starts. Not for the STEM programme, where the Bachelor’s must be finished by the deadline.
- 2Was your most recent degree awarded within the last 6 years?
For the 2027/28 intake with a 16 November 2026 deadline, that means a degree completed in November 2020 or later.
- 3Have you been living in Germany for less than 15 months?
DAAD counts your time resident in Germany at the application deadline. More than 15 months rules you out.
- 4Do you have a valid language certificate (no older than 3 years)?
For example IELTS, TOEFL iBT, Duolingo, TestDaF, DSH, Goethe-Zertifikat, or onSET.
You meet the basic eligibility criteria! You pass all four checks. Next step: review program-specific requirements below.
You may not be eligible right now. One or more criteria aren't met. Check alternatives or see if your specific program has exceptions.
Academic Requirements
What selection committees actually look at.
Your GPA
There's no official minimum for the Master's programme. Our estimate is that successful applicants are typically in the top 10-20% of their class. EPOS and Helmut Schmidt officially ask for results in the upper third. The figures below are rough guides, not DAAD rules.
Does Your Degree Match?
Your previous degree should relate to what you want to study in Germany. It doesn't need to be exact, but there should be a clear connection. Switching fields? Your motivation letter must explain why the change makes sense.
Work Experience (Some Programs)
EPOS requires at least 2 years of relevant professional experience after your Bachelor's. Helmut Schmidt asks for relevant practical experience, which can include internships, political or social engagement; each course sets its own detail.
For EPOS you'll need employment certificates from your employer(s) to prove it.
Language Requirements
DAAD accepts certificates no older than 3 years at the time of application. The scores below are typical university entry levels, not DAAD rules; your chosen programme sets the level. The STEM programme asks for at least B1 when you apply.
German Language Certificates
| Test | What you need |
|---|---|
| TestDaF | TDN 4 in all four sections (gold standard) |
| DSH | DSH-2 level, taken at admitting university |
| Goethe | B2 or C1 Zertifikat |
| telc | B2 or C1 Deutsch |
| onSET | Online placement test, accepted by DAAD as proof |
English Language Certificates
| Test | What you need |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0-6.5 overall, no section below 5.5 |
| TOEFL | 80-95 iBT, top programs 100+ |
| CAE/CPE | Cambridge English, minimum grade C |
| PTE | Academic, around 58-65 |
| onSET / Duolingo | Both accepted by DAAD as proof of English |
DAAD accepts language certificates no older than 3 years on the application deadline. But IELTS and TOEFL scores are usually only valid for 2 years, and many universities require that. Plan your test so the certificate is still valid for both DAAD and your university.
Country and Age
Can Your Country Apply?
Not necessarily. For 2027/28 the Master’s study scholarship for all disciplines is open to 64 countries only: Europe, the US and Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Israel, Central Asia and the Caucasus, plus Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen and the Palestinian Territories. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Egypt, China, Brazil and Turkey are not on that list. Applicants from developing countries can look at EPOS, the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme and, in 24 countries, the STEM study scholarship. DAADYou normally apply from your country of origin.rsquo;s list is by the country you live in and apply from, not your passport; if you live elsewhere, ask DAAD whether you can apply. Check your country in the DAAD database.
Is There an Age Limit?
No maximum age. They use the 6-year degree rule instead. A 35-year-old who finished a Master's four years ago qualifies just like a 24-year-old fresh grad. Childcare, illness, disability or military service can justify an older degree.
Program-Specific Requirements
Compare →Each program has its own requirements. Here they are side by side.
| Program | Degree | Work Exp. | Language | Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master's | Bachelor's | Not required | German or English | 64 countries; degree < 6 years old |
| STEM Master's | Bachelor's (done by deadline) | Not required | B1 or higher | 24 countries; no Master's yet |
| EPOS | Bachelor's | 2 years minimum | English (mostly) | Developing countries only |
| Helmut Schmidt | Bachelor's | Relevant practical experience | English | Public policy focus |
| PhD Research | Master's | Not required | German or English | Doctorate started ≤ 3 years ago |
| Postdoc | Doctorate (≤ 4 years ago) | Not required | German or English | Research proposal required |
| P.R.I.M.E. | Doctorate (≤ 6 years ago) | Not required | Not specified | 18-month job; no call open |
Always double-check on the official DAAD website. Requirements can change between cycles.