Study in Germany

11.06.24

An overview of study programs and scholarship programs for foreign law students in Germany

[ Up ] [ Introduction ] [ Study programs ] [ Doctoral programs ] [ Scholarship programs ] [ General information on studies in Germany ]

Introduction

Once upon a time, lawyers only needed to know the law of their home country. They enjoyed a national legal education, worked with national law only and did not need to speak foreign languages. A sophisticated lawyer of the 21st century, however, must be prepared for the ongoing globalisation and its growing impact on his work. International legal cooperation has unfolded during the last decades, and international and foreign law have become more important for the lawyer. This process will not be stopped by the present wars and neo-imperialist ambitions of some countries, but even intensify after the end of these global threats. A young researcher, university lecturer, civil servant in a ministry, ambitious judge or lawyer in an international law firm should have studied international and comparative law and the legal thinking in other countries with different legal systems. This will enable him for international cooperation but also to make valuable contributions to the development of the law and legal practice in his home country. The best way to qualify is to pursue studies abroad, thus learning to know not only the foreign law but also the country, the culture and the people.

Studies in Germany are particularly attractive for lawyers from countries whose legal system is based on the continental legal tradition - including Kazakhstan. After Word War II, responding to the catastrophe of the Third Reich, Germany has focused eminently on building up a modern "Rechtsstaat" (state based on the rule of law) with a sophisticated legal system. For many countries, in particular in East Europe and Asia, German law and German legal science have become a source of inspiration for the development of their own legal system. For the foreign lawyers, not the details of the German law are interesting but the structures, the innovative legal concepts, the highly developed legal dogmatics and in particular the systematic approach and the advanced legal methodology.

Many German universities have developed study programs for foreign law students. The course offerings are heterogeneous and sometimes confusing. It is my task as DAAD lecturer to provide guidance for orientation. The following overview shall serve this purpose, redirecting you directly to the relevant websites of the universities. It is followed by an overview of scholarship programs and links to general information on studying in Germany. With regard to the great number of study and scholarship programs the overview cannot be exhaustive. Note that this overview is restricted to study programs in English. If your language skills allow you to follow study programs in the German language, there are many more options (see the comprehensive DAAD database on study programs).

Are you interested? Then, in a first step, you should inform yourself about the study programs that come into consideration. It may be a good idea to contact a relevant university in order to make sure that your participation in the program is in principle possible. Besides advanced language skills usually a master's degree (in some cases a bachelor's degree) and sometimes other qualifications are required. You should also acquaint yourself with the scholarship programs. In a second step you should see me for consultation (MNU Law School, office 219; e-mail: tschmit1@gwdg.de). On closer examination, some course offers may be less interesting than they appear in the advertising of the universities. Others may not be well advertised but correspond better to your personal interests or promise a better individual support. Concerning scholarship programs, you may also get advice from other DAAD lecturers in Kazakhstan or in the future from the coming DAAD Regional Office in Bishkek. Finally, in a third step you may submit your applications to the German university and the scholarship provider. Plan all these steps a year in advance so that you do not risk to miss the deadline. In particular, upgrade and certify your language skills in time! For many DAAD scholarships, the deadline for applications is in autumn.

Study programs for foreign law students in Germany

[A. Summer courses] [B. Erasmus program] [C. Complementary study programs] [D. General postgraduate study programs] [E. Specialised postgraduate study programs]

A. Summer courses (as advertised for 2024)

Note: If not indicated otherwise, the summer courses will be in English and on-campus.

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University of Augsburg: Augsburg Summer Program on European and International Economic Law

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Freie Universität Berlin: Law, Society and Politics in Comparative Perspective

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Humboldt University Berlin: HUWISU Summer University with various summer courses in law:
- European Constitutional Law: National Identities Between Unity and Plurality
- International Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution
- Refugee Protection and Forced Migration

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Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin / Berlin School of Economics and Law: How Europe Works: Institutions & Law in the EU (ILEU)

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International Nuremberg Principles Academy: Nuremberg Summer Academy for Young Professionals (in criminal law)

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University of Frankfurt/Oder: The European System of Human Rights Protection

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Bucerius Law School, Hamburg: Bucerius Summer Programs: Legal Technology and Operations, International Business Law and Licensing Transactions in Intellectual Property

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University of Munich: Munich University Summer Training in German and European Law (MUST) and Munich Advanced Course in International Law (MACIL)

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Saarland University, Saarbrücken: European Summer Course 2024: #TacklingCurrentWorldCha(lle)nges

See also the language and introductory courses for lawyers, e.g. the summer course German for Lawyers and Other Legal Practitioners at the University of Münster, the Online German Course for Legal Professionals at the SDI München and the International German Summer Course B2/C1 + Language Project Law at the University of Bielefeld (all courses in German).

B. The Erasmus program

The Erasmus+ program of the European Union is the most popular exchange program for students, lecturers (and others) in Europe. The studies abroad can be for one or two semesters, the access is easy and the foreign students are well supported and integrated at the guest university. In its 35 years history, the Erasmus program has provided an important contribution to a better mutual understanding and cooperation of lawyers in integrating Europe. However, the exchange was generally limited to students coming from and going to European universities. Only the Erasmus Mundus program that focused on the sector of advanced studies and doctoral studies supported cooperation between European and non-European universities. In 2013, these programs and others were merged to the Erasmus+ program that also promotes the exchange with non-European partner countries. The Erasmus+ program was recently reshaped and extended until 2027.

C. Complementary study programs (not requiring completion of a full course of legal studies)

German universities often offer study programs for foreign law students  who have completed a full course of legal studies (of 4 to 5 years, including bachelor's and master's degree) in their home country. However, there are exceptions (a few even in English):

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Berlin School of Economics and Law: M.A. International Security Management
(interdisciplinary studies; 4 semesters; with master thesis; requires bachelor's degree; in English)

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Technical University of Dresden: LL.M. (International Studies in Intellectual Property Law and Data Law)
(2 semesters, one of them at a partner university [Exeter, Krakow, London, Prague, Seattle, Strasbourg, Szeged or Tokyo]; starts twice a year; requires some practical experience after graduation; in German and English or English; tuition fee: 5.000 €)

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University of Göttingen: LL.M (European and Transnational Law of Intellectual Property and Information Technology)
(2 semesters; with master thesis; requires bachelor's degree and 1 year of practical experience; in English; tuition fee: 7.200 or 7.800 €)

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University of Göttingen: Erasmus Mundus MA Euroculture - Society, politics and culture in a global context [see also consortium website]
(interdisciplinary studies, not at the Faculty of Law; with master thesis; 4 semesters, including 1 semester at one of 12 foreign partner universities; requires bachelor's degree in home country; in English; tuition fee for non-EU citizens: 18.000 €)

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University of Hannover: LL.M (European Legal Practice)
(4 semesters; with master thesis; requires bachelor's degree in home country; joint international study program of the universities Hannover, Lisbon and Rouen; requires knowledge of English AND of German, French or Portuguese)

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University of Cologne: LL.M (European Legal Perspectives)
(2 semesters; with internship and master thesis; in English; tuition fee: 15.000 €)

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Leuphana University Lüneburg: MA (Governance and Human Rights)
(professional master studies; 4 semesters part-time, primarily online; with master thesis; requires a first university degree; in English; listed by UNHCHR Office as official human rights training programme; tuition fee: 9.900 €)

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Leuphana University Lüneburg: LL.M (International Economic Law)
(4 semesters; with master thesis; requires bachelor's degree (or completion of 81 % of bachelor's program) in home country; dual degree program with University of Glasgow (Scotland) or University of the West Indies (Barbados); in English; tuition fee: ca. 10.000 € - 18.000 €)

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Leuphana University Lüneburg: LL.M (International Law of Global Security, Peace & Development) [see also consortium website]
(4 semesters; with master thesis; requires bachelor's degree (not necessarily in law) in home country; joint master degree program with University of Glasgow (Scotland) and Institut Barcelona d'Estudis Internacionals (IBEI); in English; tuition fee: 20.950 € -  43.856 €

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University of Passau: CECIL (Certificate of Studies in European, Comparative and International Law)
(1 or 2 semesters; certificates for 20 or 40 ECTS credit points; includes courses on academic legal writing and/or legal presentation skills; requires 2 years of previous studies of law; in English)

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University of Siegen: LL.M (Deutsches und Europäisches Wirtschaftsrecht [German and European Business Law])
(interdisciplinary studies; 4 semesters; with internship and master thesis; requires bachelor's degree with at least 60 credit points in law classes; in English and German; see information for international applicants)

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EBS Universität Wiesbaden: Bachelor in Law, Politics and Economics
(interdisciplinary studies; 6 semesters, one at a partner university abroad; with internship; with bachelor thesis; in English; tuition fee: 46,020 €)

D. General postgraduate study programs (magister programs) requiring prior completion of a full course of legal studies (open only to foreign participants)

Most German faculties of law offer general postgraduate studies in German law for foreign lawyers who have completed a full course of legal studies (of 4 to 5 years) with a degree that must be equivalent to the German State Examination. These studies take 2 semesters, include a magister thesis and an oral examination and result in the degree of "Magister Legum" (LL.M) or "Magister iuris" (Mag. iur.). Often they precede doctoral studies at the same university. However, these studies require excellent knowledge of the German language, since the foreign students will attend the same courses as ordinary German law students.

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see the course offerings of the universities of Augsburg, Bayreuth, HU Berlin, Bielefeld, Bochum, Bonn, Cologne, Constance, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Frankfurt/Main, Frankfurt/Oder, Freiburg, Gießen, Göttingen, Halle, Hamburg, Heidelberg, Jena, Kiel, Köln, Mainz, Marburg, Munich, Münster, Osnabrück, Passau, Potsdam, Regensburg, Saarbrücken, Trier, Tübingen, Würzburg

E. Specialised postgraduate study programs requiring prior completion of a full course of legal studies (open to German and foreign participants)

German universities offer a wide variety of specialised postgraduate study programs, in particular in the fields of European Union law and business law. These programs are primarily designed for graduates of complete law studies in Germany but are generally also open to foreign lawyers with equivalent degrees. Usually they last 2 semesters and result in a postgraduate master's degree (LL.M). They provide legal education at the highest level but some present a challenge to foreign participants because they build upon the knowledge from a full course of legal studies in Germany. These programs are usually offered in German, some combine lectures in German and English.

However, there is also an increasing number of specialised postgraduate study programs offered entirely in English. While some of them require a moderate tuition, many are offered on a commercial basis for high or very high tuition fees (but sometimes with tuition waivers for certain applicants). Scholarships may not cover the high fees, DAAD scholarships usually do not. The target group of the most expensive programs are predominantly young professionals with a bit of practical experience whose employer may support their studies.

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Freie Universität Berlin: MBL-FU (Master of European and International Business, Competition and Regulatory Law)
(2 semesters; with master thesis; requires 1 year of practical experience; in English; tuition fee: 9.500 €)

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Humboldt University Berlin: IDR LL.M (International Dispute Resolution)
(2 semesters; with master thesis; requires 1 year of practical experience after graduation; in English; tuition fee: 12.900 €)

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Technical University of Berlin: MBL European and International Energy Law
(2 semesters; with master thesis; requires 1 year of professional experiene; in English; tuition fee: 11.200 €)

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University of Bremen: LL.M (Transnational Law)
(2 semesters; with master thesis; in English)

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University of Bremen in cooperation with University of Oldenburg (Hanse Law School): LL.M (Law in a Sustainable and Digital Europe)
(2 semesters; with master thesis; optional double degree with University of Groningen; in English, elective courses also in German)

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University of Erlangen-Nuremberg: M.A. (Human Rights)
(interdisciplinary studies; 3 semesters; with master thesis; in English; tuition fee: 6.000 €))

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University of Frankfurt/Main: LL.M (Legal Theory)
(2 semesters; with master thesis; in English; tuition fee: 7.200 €)

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University of Frankfurt/Main: LL.M (Finance)
(interdisciplinary studies, also practice-orientated; 2 semesters; with internship and master thesis; in English; tuition fee: 20.000 - 24.000 €)

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University of Frankfurt/Main: LL.M (International Finance  - for Asian Graduates)
(interdisciplinary studies, also practice-orientated; 2 semesters; with master thesis; in English; tuition fee: 18.000 €)

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University of Frankfurt/Oder: LL.M (Master of International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law)
(3 semesters; with internship and master thesis; includes distance (online) learning; in English; tuition fee: 6.100 €;  also smaller diploma and certificate programs offered)

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Frankfurt School of Finance & Management/European Banking Institute: LL.M (EBI Master in EU Banking & Financial Regulation)
(4 semesters; with master thesis; part-time blended-learning program for professionals; in English; tuition fee: 30.000 €)

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Bucerius Law School (Hamburg): LL.M/MLB (Master of Law and Business)
(interdisciplinary studies, also practice-orientated; 2 semesters; with master thesis; requires 1 - 3 years of practical experience; in English; tuition fee: 25.000 €)

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University of Hamburg: MEIL (Master of European and International Law)
(2 semesters; with master thesis; in English; tuition fee: 7.000 €)

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University of Hamburg: LL.M . (European and European Legal Studies)
(interdisciplinary studies; 2 semesters; with internship and master thesis; in English; tuition fee: 8.500 €)

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University of Hamburg: EMLE (European Master in Law and Economics)
(interdisciplinary studies, offered by a consortium of 10 universities; 3 trimesters (students can study at 3 different universities); with master thesis; in English; tuition fee for non-EU citizens: 11.000 €)

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University of Mannheim: M.C.B.L. (Master of Comparative Business Law)
(2 semesters; with master thesis; in English; tuition fee: 8.500 €)

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Munich Intellectual Property Law Center: LL.M IP (Intellectual Property and Competition Law)
(2 semesters; with study visits, conference attendance, optional intership and master thesis; requires 1 year of practical experience; admission possible with 3 years bachelor's degree and 2 years of practical experience; with individual tutoring; in English; tuition fee: 39,500 €)

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University of Potsdam: MBA/LL.M (European Film Business and Law)
(interdisciplinary studies; 4 semesters; mostly online; with project module and master thesis; in English; tuition fee: 23.000 €)

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Saarland University (Saarbrücken): LL.M European and International Law
(2 semesters; with master thesis; can be followed in German and/or English; tuition fee: 6.800 €))

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University of Würzburg: LL.M (Digitilization & Law)
(interdisciplinary studies; 3 semesters; with master thesis; includes LL.M degree and certificate of specialization in IT Law; in English; tuition fee: 7.500 €)

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In preparation: University of Giessen: LL.M (International Law)
(4 semesters; also practice-orientated; with distance (online) learning and master thesis; requires 1 year of practical experience; in English; tuition fee: 9.990 €)

Doctoral programs (open to German and foreign participants)

Foreign lawyers who want to obtain a doctoral degree in Germany, usually first have to complete general postgraduate studies in German law for foreign lawyers (magister programs). During this time they may already look for a doctorate supervisor. Afterwards they may prepare a doctoral thesis in German language; only a few universities accept doctoral theses in legal science in English. Special doctoral study programs are not common in the field of legal science. However, some German universities and some consortiums of Max Planck Institutes and local universities offer them. Despite their English label, some require advanced German language skills, while others only require English language skills. Free paid doctoral research positions are usually especially advertised (e.g. in the PhDGermany Database of the DAAD). See for further information the special web page of the DAAD.

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Humboldt University Berlin: Doctoral Programme EPEDER - Unity and Difference in the European Legal Area
(6 semesters; in cooperation with univ. in London, Paris, Rome and Amsterdam; activities in German and English)

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University of Bochum: PhD in International Development Studies
(interdisciplinary studies; 6 semesters; in English)

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University of Münster: Doctoral study with a foreign university degree
(requires knowledge of German law but doctoral thesis can be written in English)

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University of Göttingen: Public International Law: Human Rights – International Economic and Environmental Law – International Criminal Law
(6 semesters; activities in German and/or English, doctoral thesis in English)

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University of Hamburg: Albrecht Mendelssohn Bartholdy Graduate School of Law
(6 semesters; activities and thesis in German and/or English)

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University of Hamburg: European Doctorate in Law & Economics (EDLE)
(6 semesters; joint doctoral programme of the Universities of Bologna, Hamburg, Rennes 1 and Rotterdam; activities and thesis in English; tuition fee: 10.800 €)

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Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law (Heidelberg): Doctoral Training
(no independent program but structured doctoral training embedded in the Institute's overall research focus)

Scholarship programs for law students for studying in Germany

There are many scholarship offers for studies of foreign students in Germany. Orientation is not easy, since the offers are heterogeneous - different sponsors, objectives and target groups, different requirements and conditions and different deadlines for application. Some programs are open for all foreign students, others only for those from certain countries. So the first step will be to get an overview. The best tool for this purpose is the DAAD scholarship database.

I. Overviews

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Scholarship database (DAAD) - the fastest way to focused and detailed information

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Scholarships & funding (DAAD) - expert website on scholarships and other financial aspects of studying in Germany
- see in particular the Important Information for Scholarship Applicants

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Stipendiumplus.de (overview on the most important "organizations for the promotion of young talents" ["Begabtenförderungswerke"])

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Best Student Scholarships for a Master's Degree (studyportals)

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Search for Funding (EURAXESS Germany)  - European database of research funding options in Germany

II. Scholarship programs of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

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The DAAD supports studying of students from Kazkahstan in Germany by
- scholarships for university summer courses in Germany (for students after 2 academiy years and graduates)
- scholarships for study visits by groups of students (must be organized by a lecturer)
- scholarships for master/postgraduate studies (for 10 to 24 months; does not cover tuition fees)
- scholarships for development-related postgraduate courses (for graduates with at least 2 years professional experience

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The DAAD supports legal research of researchers from Kazakhstan in Germany by
- short term research grants for young researchers (1 to 6 months; for a research project carried out in coordination with a German academic advisor)
- one year research grants for doctoral candidates (7 to 12 months; for a research project carried out in coordination with a German academic advisor)
- research grants for doctoral studies in Germany (for achieving the doctoral degree in Germany by individual studies or in a doctoral study program, up to 4 years)
- research grants for bi-nationally supervised doctoral studies / Cotutelle (for research phases of up to 2 years in total in Germany within doctoral studies in Kazakhstan)
- grants for 1 to 3 months research stays for lecturers and experienced researchers (usually with doctoral degree)
- re-invitation of DAAD alumni (for research projects and maintaining contacts)
- within the framework of inter-university partnerships.

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Law students and graduates from other countries may benefit from different programs (see DAAD scholarship database).

III. Scholarship programs of political foundations (close to political parties)

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Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung [KAS] (conservatives)

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Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung (Bavarian conservatives)

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Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung [FES] (social democrats)

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Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung (greens)

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Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung [RLS] (leftists)

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Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung [FNS] (liberals)

IV. Other scholarship programs

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Deutschlandstipendium (additional scholarships financed by the Federal Government and private sponsors but granted by the following universities)

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Katholischer Akademischer Ausländer-Dienst [KAAD] (Catholic Academic Exchange Service)

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Stiftung der deutschen Wirtschaft [SDW] (Foundation of German Business)

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Mawista Scholarship for persons studying abroad with a child (from a private company providing health insurance for foreign nationals in Germany)

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Note that some scholarships (from various sponsors, under various programs) are directly granted by universities. Check the study program descriptions for specific information!

General information on studying in Germany

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Guide Study in Germany - Land of Ideas (DAAD; Federal Ministry of Education and Research)

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Guide Research in Germany - Land of Ideas (DAAD; Federal Ministry of Education and Research)

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Guide Study and Research in Germany (DAAD) (comprehensive expert website)

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Guide Studying in Germany. A Practical Guide for International Students (DAAD) (comprehensive practical advice, 8th edition 2023)

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Guide Studying in Germany (studying-in-germany.org)

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Guide Study in Germany (studieren.de)

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Guide Your path to studying in Germany (DAAD)

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Study program database International Programmes in Germany 2023/2024 (DAAD)

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Study program database Language and Short Courses 2023/2024 (DAAD)

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Study program database Higher Education Compass (German Rector's Conference; also via DAAD)

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Links to the websites of Faculties of Law in Germany (Humboldt University Berlin)

 

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