DAAD Scholarship: A Guide for Nigerian Students 2026

The DAAD, short for the German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst), is a beacon of opportunity for students worldwide. As the largest provider of scholarships for international students in Germany, DAAD embodies its motto, "Change through Exchange."

DAAD facilitates educational exchanges in both directions – supporting Germans pursuing studies abroad and welcoming international students, including Nigerians, to Germany. With its headquarters in Bonn and a branch in Berlin, DAAD's extensive global network spans over 50 countries. This network includes 20 Regional Offices and 37 Information Centers. When it comes to the African continent, DAAD has Regional Offices in Egypt, Kenya and Ghana, and Information Centers in Cameroon, Ethiopia and South Africa. So, in total, DAAD has 6 offices in Africa. Currently, there are no DAAD offices in Nigeria.

DAAD offers a diverse range of scholarship programs, encompassing undergraduate and graduate studies, PhD programs, language courses, and more. As of 2024, DAAD administers an impressive 86 scholarship programs, each with its own specific application procedures and requirements.
 

This article will delve into two key scholarship types for aspiring Nigerian students:

• DAAD scholarships for Bachelor's degrees in Germany
• DAAD scholarships for Master's degrees in Germany

These prestigious scholarships are merit-based, fully covering the living expenses for Nigerian students in Germany.

Imagine securing a full scholarship that covers all your living expenses in Germany—sounds amazing, right? You might be wondering, "Can a Nigerian apply for a DAAD scholarship?" The answer is a resounding yes! Nigerians are indeed eligible for DAAD scholarships.
 

However, not all DAAD scholarship programs are open to Nigerian applicants. As of 2024, 20 DAAD scholarships are available for Nigerian students, with 7 specifically tailored for those seeking a degree (excluding a PhD) in Germany. Importantly, all these scholarships are for the Master's (graduate) level. Below, you'll find a summary of these 7 scholarships with essential details. But before diving into that, let's discuss the opportunities available for Nigerian undergraduate students.

This table highlights that even though there isn't a DAAD scholarship for Nigerian students aiming for a Bachelor's degree in Germany, Nigerian undergraduates can still utilize DAAD funding to participate in a summer course. In fact, engaging in this program can significantly boost your chances when applying for a DAAD master's scholarship, as outlined in the upcoming section.
 

It also should be emphasized that while the current options are limited, this situation may change, and more opportunities could become available. We recommend regularly monitoring the DAAD scholarship database for the latest updates and new opportunities.

This table clearly illustrates that Nigerian students can find suitable full DAAD scholarships to cover their living costs during their master's studies in Germany. These scholarships are available for almost every field, from Fine Art to Public Health, offering extensive opportunities for Nigerian scholars.

Keep in mind: Each study program in Germany has its own set of admission criteria. Carefully review the requirements outlined on the program's website, in addition to the general DAAD scholarship requirements.

Important considerations:

• If your documents are not in English or German, provide (certified) translations.

• Ensure your DAAD Scholarship application is complete, accurate, and submitted with all required documents in the correct format. Incomplete or inaccurate applications may lead to rejection.

• You don't need to wait for an admission letter from your German university to apply for the DAAD scholarship. Actually, DAAD scholarships are usually pre-admission scholarships, meaning you first apply for the scholarship and then for the desired Bachelor's or Master's study program in Germany.

Obtaining a DAAD scholarship is quite challenging, no matter your nationality. This is due to the high competition and the prestigious nature of these scholarships in Germany. According to our 2023 research, the success rate, or the acceptance rate for DAAD scholarships among Nigerian students is around 10%. This translates to roughly 10 out of every 100 Nigerian applicants being successful in their DAAD applications. Consequently, the rejection rate for Nigerians applying for a DAAD funding is about 90%. The primary reasons for rejection include a low GPA and a generally weak academic profile.
 

In essence, even if you meet all the basic requirements and have correctly completed the application process, there is still a high likelihood of rejection if your GPA is not strong, your CV lacks substantial content, or your Motivation Letter is not persuasive.