Master's Degree

The DAAD offers diverse scholarship schemes for applicants from sub-Saharan Africa. These includes Master scholarships for selected study programmes in Germany and in other partner institutions in sub-Saharan Africa (In-country/In-region programmes).

Many of them focus on subject areas specifically relevant for issues of sustainable development. Others specialize in subject areas such as art, design, architecture as well German studies. The most sought-after programmes are described in more detail below. You can obtain a complete list of Master scholarships by the DAAD and other German funding organizations on our funding guide.

Objective:
The aim of the scholarship programme is to support the qualification and employability of young academics and future professionals from developing and emerging countries. It offers the opportunity to continue their academic and professional career in innovation-driving STEM fields in Germany with a Master’s degree in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and engineering.

Who can apply:
The scholarship programme is aimed at high-achieving students from developing and emerging countries who would like to complete a Master’s degree in the STEM subjects at a German university.
You can apply if you have completed your studies with a first degree recognised in Germany (e.g. Bachelor’s degree) by the application deadline at the latest.
If you already have a Master’s degree by the application deadline, you cannot apply.

What can be funded:
Funding is available for a complete Master’s degree (full-time, on-campus) at a state or state-recognised university in Germany in the STEM subjects of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and engineering. Study programmes with integrated stays outside Germany are excluded.
Interdisciplinary degree programmes must have a designated STEM focus.

Details is available via this link.

Application Deadline: 24th September 2026

The 12 to 24 months master degree courses aim to provide professionals and managerial staff with additional qualifications. They offer career-based and practice-oriented further training in courses that are selected by their relevance to developing countries. More in-depth information and a current list of the offered courses can be found here.

Application deadlines: Please confirm with the University websites or the DAAD Information Centre. Applications (DAAD scholarship and admission) must be handed in directly to the host Universities and not – as in the years before – through the German Embassy/the DAAD Information Centre.

Applicants must have obtained a Bachelor’s Degree graded at least Second Class (Upper Division) and must have gained at least two years of relevant professional experience after graduation.

The applicant’s most recent academic degree must have been obtained within the last six years.

The application procedure can be found here.

The application form can be found here.

This programme is designed to academically qualify future leaders in politics, law, economics and administration according to the principles of Good Governance and to prepare them in a practice-oriented course for their professional life. The programme offers qualified graduates with a first university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) the chance to obtain a Master’s degree in disciplines that are of special relevance for the social, political and economic development of their home country. Programme overview and the list of courses currently offered can be found HERE.

Details:

Applicants must be very well qualified graduates with a first university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) who in the future want to actively contribute to the social and economic development of their home countries.

Scholarships for two-year Master courses at a German institution of higher education (selected Master courses with one of the following focuses: Public Policy, Good Governance, International Relations, Public Management, Administration, Civil Society; courses are taught in German and/or English).

The application for the scholarship is done during the application for the interested programme on the school website.

The application form can be found here.

The application checklist and selection criteria can be found here.

The application procedure can be found here.

These other scholarships are available for foreign applicants who have gained a first university degree (Bachelors degree) in the fields listed below at the latest by the time they commence their scholarship-supported study programme. Applicants may apply for scholarships to complete a Master’s degree/postgraduate degree leading to a final qualification, or a complementary course (in the study fields below) that does not lead to a final qualification at a state or state-recognised German university of your choice (not an undergraduate course). Click on the links below for details.

Study Scholarships for Foreign Graduates in the Field of Music

Study Scholarships for Foreign Graduates in the Field of the Performing Arts

Study Scholarships for Foreign Graduates in the Fields of Fine Art, Design, Visual Communication and Film

Study Scholarships for Foreign Graduates in the Field of Architecture

For information on In-country/In-region scholarships, please refer to this LINK.

… my DAAD journey has been incredible for the past two years, especially being part of the SPRING Master Program, which is jointly offered by an International University Network in five countries; Germany, Ghana, Tanzania, Philippines and Chile.

Augustine Yaw Asuah (Former Masters scholarship holder)