DAAD Postgraduate Scholarships in the Field of Architecture in Germany 2025/26

What Can Be Funded?

In this study scholarship program, applicants can complete the following study programs:

• Master’s or postgraduate degree leading to a final qualification
• Complementary courses that do not lead to a final qualification (not an undergraduate course)
• DAAD does not fund a Master’s degree program in Germany that has already started at the time of the application deadline.
• If an applicant has enrolled in a Master’s or postgraduate degree program which includes a study period abroad, funding for such courses is only possible under the following conditions:

1. The study visit is important for the achievement of the scholarship objective.
2. Course completion is not possible in the home country
3. It is no longer than a quarter of the scholarship duration. Please note that longer periods are not eligible for funding, even partially.

• This scholarship program funds only projects in the area of Design or
• When choosing the desired degree programs, provide a minimum number of credit points (CP) equivalent to the European Credit Transfer System or ECTS for Design/Projects. Please read the guides as follows:

1. 120 CP at least 45 CP
2. 90 CP at least 34 CP
3. 60 CP at least 23 CP

• DAAD scholarships are not for participation in degree programs that do not meet this requirement.
• Through this scheme, DAAD also offers funding for projects in the conservation of historical monuments and construction in existing buildings or restoration of old buildings.

Eligibility Criteria

All applicants should confirm that they meet the following conditions:

• Applicants can hold the nationality of any country to apply for this scholarship
• They must have recently gained a first university degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Urban Planning or Urban Development, Landscape Planning, Landscape Architecture, Monument Conservation, and Building in Existing Contexts or Reconditioning of Old Buildings.
• Candidates should typically have graduated no more than six years before the application deadline.
• If you had been a resident of Germany for more than 15 months at the time of the application deadline, your application could not be taken into consideration.
• Candidates should provide English language proficiency proof, e.g., DSH or TestDaF for courses in the German language (At least B2, usually C1)
• If the language of instruction is English, applicants should provide TOEFL or IELTS certificates. Please ask your desired university for the required minimum score.

Selection Criteria

The selection committee will take into consideration the following selection criteria:

• The artistic qualification and maturity of the applicant that the committee measure by study achievements and work samples
• The quality of the project is measured through the study plan and the letter of motivation
• The selection committee will consider aspects of equal opportunities

Documents Requirement

The DAAD site accepts non-certified scans of certificates, evidence of credits, certifications, and translations. The DAAD has the authority to demand certified copies of the paperwork.

• Application form online
• Comprehensive CV in tabular format (max. three pages)
• Statement on the academic and personal reasons for the planned study course in Germany (letter of motivation of about 1 – 3 pages).

For the Master’s degree program/postgraduate study program leading to a final qualification, applicants should submit the following:

• Information Form about your preferred master programs; applicants should also complete and upload this form if they have already gotten admission to the desired degree program.
• Acceptance letter from the host university in Germany, if available.

Complementary courses not leading to a final qualification:

• Supervision confirmation from a university teacher of the host university in Germany

Required Documents for All:

• Transcript of Records with individual grades and explanation of the grading system
• University degree certificate, including final grades
• German or English translations of all non-English or German documents
• A list of the project designs or plans with detailed information such as size, date of creation, place, etcetera (see: daad.de/extrainfo)
• A declaration that shows you have created the designs/plans
• Proof of German language skills for programs in German
• Proof of English language proficiency not more than two years old according to the requirements of chosen study programs in English (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS)
• Other supporting documents which might be of relevance to your application

How to Submit Work Samples?

If your scholarship application review shows that it meets the requirements of the scholarship announcement and the application package is complete, you will receive an uploading link to upload your work samples to the DAAD media database by 27 October. Once you receive the link, upload the work samples to the media database by 7 November CET.

Important Notes:

All required application documents must be in German or English. Documents in other languages must include a translation.