DAAD Master's Scholarship
DAAD is the German government's flagship academic exchange organisation, jointly funded by the Foreign Office and the Federal Ministry of Education. The Study Scholarship for Master's students funds a full 1–2 year postgraduate programme at any state-recognised German university — including world-leading research universities like TU Munich, RWTH Aachen, and Heidelberg. Sri Lankan applicants apply directly through the DAAD Colombo regional office, and tuition at public German universities is already free or near-free, so DAAD effectively covers the full cost of living.
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
External Organization-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Monthly Stipend
€992 (Master's level)
Duration
1–2 Year Master's
Extras
Travel + Health Insurance + €276 Study Allowance
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Recent Bachelor's Degree
Hold a Bachelor's degree completed within the last 6 years by the time you start the German Master's programme. Sri Lankan first-class or upper second-class honours typically meets the academic bar.
Work Experience (some streams)
Development-related and engineering streams ask for at least 2 years of post-graduation professional experience. The general Study Scholarship for Master's does not strictly require it, but strong work experience improves your chances.
English or German Proficiency
For English-taught programmes: IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 88+. For German-taught programmes: DSH-2, TestDaF-4, or Goethe C1 — DAAD funds a free intensive German course before studies for awardees who need it.
No Other German Funding
You cannot already hold a German scholarship, and you must not have lived in Germany for more than 15 months at the application deadline.
account_tree Application Process
Pick eligible Master's programmes
Use the DAAD course database (funding-guide.de) to shortlist Master's programmes at German universities. You can list up to three programmes in your DAAD application.
Prepare your application package
- Europass CV
- Letter of motivation (3 pages max)
- Two academic references (sealed)
- Bachelor's transcripts and degree certificate
- IELTS/TOEFL or DSH/TestDaF certificate
- Proof of any work experience
Submit via the DAAD Portal
Submit online through the DAAD Portal by the Sri Lanka deadline (typically end of October). Paper copies of select documents may also need to be couriered to the DAAD Colombo office.
Interview in Colombo
Shortlisted applicants attend an interview with a DAAD selection committee at the DAAD Information Centre in Colombo, usually January or February.
Why DAAD?
DAAD is the largest funding organisation for international academic exchange in the world — and German engineering, automotive, and applied science Master's degrees are gateways into Europe's biggest job market. The EU Blue Card lets graduates stay and work in Germany on a single-employer permit with a fast track to permanent residency.
€992
Monthly Stipend
~145,000
Awards Funded per Year (all DAAD)
€0
Public University Tuition
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