Objective
This programme aims to deepen knowledge of the German language (general language, technical language) and regional studies.
Please note: This call for applications will be updated on 1 September 2026.
Please note: This call for applications will be updated on 1 September 2026.
Who can apply?
- Students in undergraduate (e.g. bachelor's) and master's programmes in all disciplines are eligible to apply.
- Undergraduate students must have completed at least two years of university study by the time the scholarship period begins.
What can be funded?
- Funding is provided for participation in language and cultural studies courses as well as technical language courses based on the course offerings listed below.
- The specific course offerings, including dates, language levels, course focus areas, etc., can be found here: Course list (Excel).
If you have any difficulties opening the link, please use an alternative browser or open the PDF version of the course list: Course list (PDF).
[list|The courses are taught exclusively in German. - Participation takes place exclusively in presence. Attendance in person is mandatory. Remote participation is not possible.
Duration of the funding
- The courses have a duration of four weeks (max. 5 days/week) with at least 25 teaching hours per week each.
- The grants are not extendable.
- The courses take place between the months of June and September.
Value
The scholarship includes:
The one-time allowance, as well as any applicable travel allowance, will not be transferred abroad. The DAAD will transfer the funds to the course provider, who will disburse the amount in cash to the scholarship holders on site.
- coverage of the costs for the language course
- provision of accommodation by the course provider for the duration of the course (accommodation in a single room, e.g. student dormitory, shared apartment or private household)
- a one-time allowance of 475 EUR
- Payment of a country-specific travel allowance for selected countries. You see the subsidies for travel expenses in 2026 here.
- Health, accident and personal liability insurance benefits
The one-time allowance, as well as any applicable travel allowance, will not be transferred abroad. The DAAD will transfer the funds to the course provider, who will disburse the amount in cash to the scholarship holders on site.
Selection
- A selection committee will review all applications
- Key selection criteria are:
- Previous academic achievements
- Convincing letter of motivation for choice of study programme and future academic project
Further information
- Answers to frequently asked questions regarding the University Summer Courses programme can be found here: FAQs (in German).
- The specific course offerings, including dates, language levels, course focus areas, etc., can be found here: Course list (Excel).
If you have any difficulties opening the link, please use an alternative browser or open the PDF version of the course list: Course list (PDF).
Sponsored by:
What requirements must be met?
- The grant holder must be at least 18 years old when starting the language course.
- Applicants must be enrolled at a university in one of the programme-related countries (except Germany) both at the time of application and throughout the entire scholarship period.
- Funding from the programme can only be claimed once.
- Applicants which are in their first year of study are also able to apply. Those applicants have to proof that they took the necessary German courses (Course certificate or similar) to achieve the required language level at the beginning of their scholarship.
- Applicants commit themselves to deal sensitively with the issue of sustainability.
- Travelling from the home country should be done using low-emission means of transport (train, bus/long-distance bus) wherever possible.
Language skills
- Applicants must be able to follow lectures in German and participate in group work.
- The following language certificates are accepted: onSET-Deutsch, TestDaF, Goethe Institut Zertifikat, DSD, DSH, telc Deutsch, ÖSD-Zertifikat, baccalaureate (for specialised language courses only).
- The language certificate cannot be older than one year at the time of application (this also applies to DSH). Language certificates from B2 or TDN4 in all examination parts of the exam may be up to two years old.
- Applicants must provide proof of a minimum language level of A2.
Application deadline
30 October of each year, 23:59 (Central European Time).
Applications are possible from 01 September each year
Applications are possible from 01 September each year
Application documents
Certificates, transcripts, attestations and translations can be submitted in uncertified form. The DAAD Head Office in Bonn reserves the right to request additional certified copies of the documents submitted.
Please ensure that you have uploaded all the required documents to the DAAD portal by the application deadline, as incomplete applications cannot be considered in the further selection process.
The following documents must be submitted for a complete application:
Please ensure that you have uploaded all the required documents to the DAAD portal by the application deadline, as incomplete applications cannot be considered in the further selection process.
The following documents must be submitted for a complete application:
- Online application form
- Complete curriculum vitae in tabular form (in German)
- Letter of motivation (in German)
- Transcripts of all university examinations taken in the last two years, with individual grades (with German or English translation)
If, at the time of application, no transtript of records for the past two years is available due to a study period of less than two years, proof of academic achievements from the current period of study must be submitted. - For undergraduate students: school leaving certificate with grades (with German or English translation)
- For graduate students in postgraduate studies: last university degree certificate with final grade/s (with German or English translation)
- Language certificates (with German or English translation, if applicable)
- Other documents that you consider important for your application, if necessary with German or English translation (e.g. proof of internships, certificates of employment).
Please note
- On the application form, you are asked to indicate three course preferences. Your course preferences will be taken into account by the DAAD in the final placement, if possible. Important: The capacity for each course is limited. Therefore, the DAAD reserves the right to assign you to a different course than one of the preferred ones.
- Once your application has been received, it is no longer possible to change your course preferences or switch courses.
- Only complete applications submitted by the deadline can be considered.
- The application documents remain with the DAAD. Your personal data is saved by the DAAD in accordance with the Federal Data Protection Act and with the EU Data Protection Regulation insofar as it is needed to process the application.
Information and advisory centres
Branch Office London
German Academic Exchange Service
9 Gower Street
WC1E 6HB London
United Kingdom
Tel.: +44 (20)/7831-9511
E-Mail.: info.london@daad.de
WWW.: http://www.daad.org.uk
E-Mail: scholarships.london@daad.de
German Academic Exchange Service
9 Gower Street
WC1E 6HB London
United Kingdom
Tel.: +44 (20)/7831-9511
E-Mail.: info.london@daad.de
WWW.: http://www.daad.org.uk
E-Mail: scholarships.london@daad.de
More detailed information
- For more general information on language certificates, please visit the DAAD website at: https://www.daad.de/de/studieren-und-forschen-in-deutschland/studium-planen/die-deutsche-sprache/.
General information on the application via DAAD portal
Applications for this scholarship programme are possible in the period 1st of September until 30th of October.
Click on 'Application portal' at the bottom of the page to go to the DAAD portal. There you will be provided with an online application form to enter your application data.
This is what you have to do:
1. Register in the DAAD portal (Read notes about registering in the portal >>)
2. Applying online in the DAAD portal (Read notes on applying in the portal >>)
Please note:
If you have any technical questions or problems your local information and advice centres could not help you with, please do not hesitate to contact portal@daad.de via e-mail.
You can also call the technical portal hotline on weekdays from 9-12 and 14-16 (CET/CEST) on +49 (0) 228 882-8888.
Please consider possible processing times of your request when you are planning your application.
Click on 'Application portal' at the bottom of the page to go to the DAAD portal. There you will be provided with an online application form to enter your application data.
This is what you have to do:
1. Register in the DAAD portal (Read notes about registering in the portal >>)
2. Applying online in the DAAD portal (Read notes on applying in the portal >>)
- Download and complete the online application form
- Prepare application documents
- If necessary, translate documents (unless they are already in German or English).
- Upload the completed application form and the other application documents to the portal in PDF format. Translations, if applicable, should be uploaded together with the document issued in the original language.
- Submit the uploaded application documents online.
Please note:
If you have any technical questions or problems your local information and advice centres could not help you with, please do not hesitate to contact portal@daad.de via e-mail.
You can also call the technical portal hotline on weekdays from 9-12 and 14-16 (CET/CEST) on +49 (0) 228 882-8888.
Please consider possible processing times of your request when you are planning your application.
