Scholarship opportunities for international students

Personal savings can provide a reliable foundation for funding your studies abroad. Savings can help cover your initial costs, such as travel, accommodation deposits, semester fees, study materials and everyday living expenses.

For students who need a visa, savings may also be used as part of the required proof of financial resources, for example through a blocked account. However, it is important to plan beyond the amount required for your visa: your actual expenses can vary depending on your location, accommodation and lifestyle.

The DAAD estimates that students in Germany need around €990 per month on average to cover their living expenses. Costs can be higher in larger cities, while smaller university towns can be more affordable.

Family support is another common way of financing a degree. Parents or other relatives may contribute towards tuition fees, accommodation, food, insurance or other living expenses.

According to the German National Association for Student Affairs (Deutsches Studierendenwerk), 82.7% of students in Germany received financial support from parents or relatives in the 2021 Social Survey. The same survey found that employment was a source of income for 58.9% of students, while 47.2% used their own funds. These figures show that students often combine several funding sources rather than relying on just one.

For international students, parental income can also be relevant when demonstrating financial resources for a German study visa. The DAAD lists proof of parental income among the possible ways to demonstrate sufficient funding.

A part-time job can provide additional income during your studies and may also help you gain valuable professional experience. However, it is generally better viewed as a supplement to your main funding rather than your only source of financial support.

The DAAD reports that around 51% of international students in Germany were working or had a student job in the 2021 Social Survey. Those who worked did so for an average of around 15 hours per week.

International students should also check the rules that apply to their residence status before starting work. Students from outside the EU/EEA are subject to limits on the number of days they can work. A part-time job can therefore help with everyday expenses, but it may not be sufficient to cover the full cost of studying and living in Germany.

Scholarships in Germany can reduce the financial pressure of studying by providing funding towards tuition fees, living costs or other study-related expenses. There are opportunities from universities, foundations, government-funded programmes and other organisations, although eligibility and application requirements vary.

The DAAD offers a wide range of international student scholarships and advises applicants to check the specific requirements of each programme carefully. Funding can depend on factors such as academic performance, nationality, field of study, social engagement and personal circumstances. Not every scholarship covers an entire degree, so it is important to check exactly what each award includes.

At PFH, several scholarship and funding opportunities are available to students. These include:

STIBET-Programme

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) funds the STIBET-Programme with funds from the Federal Foreign Office. The International Office of PFH offers scholarships for study completion and scholarships for social commitment to qualified international students of PFH.

Scholarship for Study Completion

• Apply in the last semester of your studies
• Scholarship sum:  EUR 1,000 (one-off)

Scholarship for Social Commitment

• Apply from the second semester of your studies
• Scholarship sum: EUR 1,500 (one-off)

DAAD Prize

The DAAD Prize has been awarded for over ten years now and aims to put a face to the many international students at German universities and link them with their stories. Having been a recipient of the DAAD Prize can be of great advantage when beginning a professional career.

What you need to know

• Performance-oriented scholarship
• Apply from the 2nd semester of your studies
• Award amount: EUR 1,000 (one-off)

Deutschland Stipendium/Germany Scholarship

PFH has been participating in the Germany Scholarship since 2012. The programme is initiated by the federal government and aims to support talented students in cooperation with regional companies. The scholarship is awarded once or twice a year. 

What you need to know

• Performance-oriented scholarship
• Apply from the 2nd semester of your studies
• Scholarship sum: EUR 300 per month for a period of one year

Student loans can provide another option when savings, family support, employment and scholarships do not cover all your costs. However, unlike scholarships, loans normally need to be repaid, often with interest, so the repayment conditions should be considered carefully before applying.

Some government-backed education loans are also available to international students under specific conditions. For example, the Federal Government's Educational Loan can provide €100, €200 or €300 per month for up to two years, with a maximum total of €7,200. Eligibility includes certain foreign students, although applicants must meet the programme's requirements.

Student loans can therefore be useful as part of a wider funding plan, particularly when you need temporary financial support. Before borrowing, compare the interest rate, repayment period and eligibility requirements and consider how the repayments could affect your finances after graduation.

• International students need to demonstrate access to €992 per month for a German study visa, as of January 2025.
• The DAAD estimates average student living costs in Germany at around €990 per month.
• Around 51% of international students surveyed in 2021 were working or had a student job.
• Working international students reported an average of around 15 hours of work per week.
• 82.7% of students surveyed in Germany received financial support from parents or relatives.

• Personal savings can help cover initial costs and provide financial security during your studies.
• Family support remains an important source of student funding in Germany.
• Part-time employment can supplement your income and provide valuable work experience, but it may not cover all living costs.
• Scholarships and study grants in Germany can reduce the financial burden and are available from universities and external organisations.
• Student loans can provide additional support but should be considered carefully because they need to be repaid.