DAAD Study Scholarships - Postgraduate Studies in the Field of Architecture
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)
Application deadline
23 Sep 2026
Calculating…
Overview
The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Study Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies in the Field of Architecture helps you do a full Master's or postgraduate degree in Germany. You can also take a complementary course that does not lead to a final qualification. The study programme must be at a state or state-recognised German university of your choice.
You can apply if you already have a first university degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Monument Conservation and Building in Existing Contexts, Urban Design/Urban Development, Landscape Architecture or Landscape Planning. DAAD says your last relevant degree "should not date back more than 6 years at the time of the application deadline". You cannot apply if you have lived in Germany for longer than 15 months at the deadline, and a Master's in Germany that has already started cannot be funded.
The award gives "a monthly payment of 992 euros", a travel allowance (on request), a one-off study allowance, and payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance. DAAD also supports German language courses. DAAD does not pay tuition fees. Funding runs between 10 and 24 months, usually starting 1 October of the year after you apply.
You apply online through the DAAD portal. The window opens on 1 June each year. For applicants from India, the DAAD database lists the deadline as 23.09.2026, with selection in January 2027 and funding from September 2027. Work samples are uploaded separately to the DAAD media database after a first check.
At a glance
| Who can apply | PG |
|---|---|
| Streams | Architecture, Interior Design, Monument Conservation and Building in Existing Contexts/Reconditioning of Old Buildings, Urban Design/Urban Development, Landscape Architecture, Landscape Planning |
| Category | All |
| Age | — |
| Income limit | — |
| Gender | — |
| States | All India |
| Benefit / amount | Monthly payment of 992 euros, plus a travel allowance (only on application), a one-off study allowance, and payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance. DAAD does not cover tuition fees. |
| Duration | Master's/postgraduate degree: between 10 and 24 months, depending on the length of the chosen study programme. Complementary studies not leading to a final qualification: one academic year. Funding usually starts from 1 October of the year after the application. |
| Renewable | Yes |
| Last date | 23 Sep 2026 |
| Opened | — |
Documents you'll need
- Full curriculum vitae in tabular form
- Letter of motivation stating academic and personal reasons for the planned study project in Germany (max. 2 pages)
- Form 'Information about your preferred master programmes' (DAAD form a428_studiengangsprofile_architektur)
- Letter of acceptance from the German host university, if already available
- For complementary studies: confirmation of supervision from a university teacher at the German host university
- Current Transcript of Records with individual grades and an explanation of the grading system
- University degree certificate indicating final grade(s)
- German or English translations of all documents submitted in the national language
- List of the designs/plans to be uploaded to the DAAD media database, with detailed information (size, date of creation, place, etc.)
- Signed DAAD declaration form that the designs/plans have been produced or created by the applicant
- Proof of German language skills (European Framework level B1 completed or TestDaF) for German-taught programmes; certificate should be no more than three years old
- Proof of English language skills (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS) as required by the chosen English-taught programmes; certificate should be no more than three years old
- Work samples, uploaded separately to the DAAD media database (not to the DAAD portal) after the formal check
How you're selected
After the application documents are uploaded to the DAAD portal, DAAD first carries out a formal check of whether the application requirements have been met and whether the application is complete. Applicants who pass this check are then asked to submit work samples to the DAAD media database (the upload link is sent by 23 October at the latest; work samples must be uploaded by 4 November CET at the latest). A special DAAD committee made up of professors from German universities makes the final decision. The selection criteria are the academic qualification and architectural maturity, measured by study achievements and work samples, and the quality of the project as measured by the study plan and the letter of motivation. The committee also gives due consideration to aspects of equal opportunities.
FAQs
Who can apply? Anyone who has (or will have, before the scholarship starts) a first university degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Monument Conservation and Building in Existing Contexts, Urban Design/Urban Development, Landscape Architecture or Landscape Planning. As a rule your last relevant degree should not be more than 6 years old at the deadline, and you must not have lived in Germany for more than 15 months at the deadline.
How much money do I get? DAAD states "a monthly payment of 992 euros". You also get a travel allowance (only if you apply for it), a one-off study allowance, and payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance. A rent subsidy and a family allowance may be possible later, on request. DAAD does not pay your university tuition fees.
How long is the funding? For a Master's or postgraduate degree, between 10 and 24 months, depending on the length of your programme. A complementary course that does not lead to a qualification is funded for one academic year. Funding usually starts on 1 October of the year after you apply, or earlier if you take a German language course first.
What is the last date to apply? The DAAD scholarship database shows 23.09.2026 for applicants from India, with "Selection in January 2027 for funding starting from September 2027". Applications are possible between 1 June and this date. DAAD updates deadlines at least once a year, so always confirm the date on the official page before you apply.
How do I apply? First register on the DAAD portal, then fill the online application and upload your documents as PDFs. Do not upload work samples or portfolios to the portal. If your application passes the first check, DAAD sends you a link to upload work samples to the DAAD media database. The link to the portal only appears while the application window is open.
What documents do I need? A tabular CV, a letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages), the DAAD form on your preferred Master's programmes, a current transcript of records with the grading system explained, your degree certificate, proof of German or English language skills, a list of your designs/plans, and a signed declaration that the designs are your own work. Documents in other languages must be translated into German or English.
Can the scholarship be extended? Yes, for longer programmes. DAAD says: "After the first year of study, your academic achievements will be assessed in a further funding procedure. If this shows that you will successfully complete your programme within a reasonable period of time, the scholarship will continue as planned." You must state the full period you need in your original application.