Germany is among the most popular destinations for African postgraduate students seeking fully funded scholarships. With a strong tradition of publicly funded higher education, Germany offers more scholarship programmes for African students than almost any other single country: and some programmes do not even require German language skills, as many postgraduate programmes are offered in English.
The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) is the largest and most active scholarship provider in Germany, with programmes specifically designed for students from developing nations including all 54 African countries. The Erasmus Mundus programme, funded by the European Union, runs through Germany and several other European countries simultaneously.
Germany's cost of living is moderate by Western European standards. Most cities have active African student communities, and the German Student Visa (National Visa Type D) has a reliable process with clear documentation requirements.
The DAAD EPOS programme (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses) is one of the most Africa-friendly scholarship routes in Germany. It requires a minimum GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale, significantly lower than most UK or US equivalents: and has an 18% acceptance rate. DAAD prioritises students whose research or study focus has development relevance to their home country. This means public health, agriculture, environmental science, governance, and engineering projects that address African challenges are looked upon favourably.
Despite German being the national language, many DAAD and German university scholarships are offered in English-only programmes. TOEFL 80+ or IELTS 6.0 is typically sufficient. Some highly competitive research fellowships prefer applicants with at least basic German proficiency, but this is not a blanket requirement. Check the specific programme's language requirements, the StudiePoint scholarship database shows language requirements per scholarship.
A German Student Visa (National Visa Type D) is required for studies longer than 90 days. The application is made at the German Embassy or Consulate in your home country. Required documents include your university admission letter, scholarship confirmation, proof of accommodation, biometric passport, and language certificates. Processing typically takes 4–8 weeks. German visa approval rates for documented scholarship holders are high: your scholarship letter is the strongest document in the application.
Yes. Many DAAD programmes include a funded German language preparatory course before the main academic programme begins. Even if you are studying in English, basic German helps significantly with daily life in Germany.
DAAD scholarships are individual awards and do not cover family costs. Your spouse may be able to apply for a dependent visa and is permitted to work in Germany, but you would need to demonstrate sufficient income to support them, which can be difficult on a scholarship stipend alone.
Germany has become increasingly friendly to international student settlement. After completing a degree in Germany, you can apply for an 18-month job-seeking visa. If you find employment, you can apply for permanent residency after 4 years. Germany's Blue Card scheme allows fast-track residency for high-skilled workers, many scholarship graduates qualify.
Erasmus Mundus is an EU-funded programme that funds joint master's degrees across two or more European universities. African students can apply for a full scholarship covering tuition at all partner universities, a monthly stipend, travel costs, and health insurance. Selection is competitive: around 20% of qualified applicants receive funding. No prior knowledge of European languages is required for English-language tracks.
Most public German universities charge only a semester administrative fee (around €300 per semester) rather than full tuition, even for international students. This makes Germany one of the most affordable destinations in Europe. Scholarship stipends are therefore more likely to result in savings rather than just covering costs.
Last updated: April 2026. Find scholarships on StudiePoint AI →