The Reichstag building in Berlin with the German flag flying above the glass dome at dusk.

Germany Check current round

Heidelberg University International Scholarship

Heidelberg University is Germany's oldest university (founded 1386) and consistently the country's top-ranked institution. The International Scholarship offers a monthly stipend of EUR 850-1,200 (LKR 293k-414k) plus tuition waivers (where Baden-Württemberg's EUR 1,500/semester international fee applies) to selected international Master's students. Around 50-80 awards are made annually across Heidelberg's faculties — particularly strong in medicine, biology, chemistry, physics, philosophy, and Asian studies. Sri Lankan applicants admitted to Heidelberg's English-taught Master's programmes (or with German B2+ for German-taught) are eligible — but applications go through the academic faculty, with each programme nominating its top international candidates for central scholarship consideration.

Winter Semester 2026/27: applications via Heidelberg programme admissions, typically March-May 2026; Winter Semester 2027/28: open October 2026

Heidelberg University

University-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

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Value

EUR 850-1,200/mo + Tuition Waiver

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Duration

Up to 2 Years (Master's)

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Awards

~50-80 per Year (all faculties)

info How this award actually works

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Who awards it

Heidelberg University — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.

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How you are considered

Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.

payments

What it covers

EUR 850-1,200/Month + Tuition Waiver (where applicable). This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.

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Where we come in

We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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Heidelberg Master's Admission

You must hold (or be applying for) admission to a Heidelberg University Master's programme. Both English-taught (e.g., Medical Informatics, Health Economics, South Asian Studies) and German-taught Master's qualify. PhD candidates apply through separate Heidelberg Graduate Academy scholarships.

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Outstanding Academic Record

Selection is highly competitive. Most successful candidates have a first-class Bachelor's degree (or equivalent — typically 70%+ on Sri Lankan grading, or 3.5+/4.0 GPA) from a recognised university. Publications, research projects, or competition awards strengthen the application.

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International Fee Status

Open to international students (non-EU/EEA citizens). Sri Lankan citizens applying from Sri Lanka are eligible. EU/EEA students apply via separate Heidelberg awards.

language

Language + English Proficiency

German-taught Master's require German C1 (DSH-2 / TestDaF 4x4). English-taught Master's accept IELTS 7.0+ or TOEFL iBT 100+. Sri Lankan applicants with English-medium degrees can request the MOI-letter waiver where Heidelberg permits.

account_tree Application Process

Apply to Heidelberg Master's first

Submit your Heidelberg Master's application via the university's online portal (or uni-assist for some programmes). Application deadlines vary by faculty — some close as early as 15 March, others as late as 15 July.

Indicate scholarship interest

In your Master's application, indicate that you wish to be considered for the Heidelberg International Scholarship. Some faculties have a separate scholarship form; others use the standard admissions application materials for scholarship consideration.

Faculty nomination + central review

Each Heidelberg faculty nominates its top international applicants to the central International Office. The Office reviews nominations against the international scholarship pool and makes final awards in May-July for Winter Semester start.

Acceptance + German visa

Successful applicants receive a scholarship confirmation alongside their Master's offer. Use the offer + scholarship + blocked-account proof (or scholarship confirmation in lieu) to apply for the German national visa at the German Embassy in Colombo.

Why Heidelberg?

Heidelberg University was founded in 1386 — Germany's oldest university and one of Europe's most distinguished research institutions. 33 Nobel laureates count among its alumni and faculty, including Robert Bunsen and Karl Jaspers. Heidelberg is consistently #1 or #2 in Germany (after Munich) by international rankings, with particular strength in medicine, life sciences, physics, philosophy, theology, and Asian studies. The town of Heidelberg itself is one of Europe's most beautiful — preserved medieval old town in the Neckar valley.

#84

QS World Ranking 2026

33

Nobel Laureates

1386

Year Founded

Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?

Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.

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