DAAD University Summer Courses in Germany 2026 | Language and Cultural Studies Scholarship

DAAD University Summer Courses in Germany 2026 programme offers international university students and graduates the opportunity to attend intensive German language, cultural studies and technical language courses at universities and higher education institutions in Germany.

The programme is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and aims to help participants improve their knowledge of the German language while gaining a deeper understanding of German regional and cultural studies.

The courses last four weeks, are taught exclusively in German and take place in person between June and September.

About the DAAD University Summer Courses

The University Summer Courses offered in Germany for Foreign Students and Graduates are designed to deepen participants’ knowledge of German.

The programme supports courses covering:

General German language
Technical German
German cultural studies
Regional studies

The courses are offered by participating institutions in Germany, with specific course dates, language levels and areas of focus varying by provider.

Participants attend the courses physically, as remote participation is not permitted.

Who Can Apply?

The programme is open to:

International students and graduates in all subject areas.

Undergraduate students, including Bachelor’s students, must have completed at least two academic years of university study by the beginning of the funding period.

Students who are in their final year of higher education when applying can only qualify if they intend to begin postgraduate studies immediately after graduation.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants should meet the academic conditions established by DAAD.

Undergraduate Students

Bachelor’s or equivalent undergraduate students must have completed at least two academic years of university study by the time the funding period begins.

Final-Year Students

Students in their final year at the time of application can apply only where they plan to undertake postgraduate studies immediately after completing their current degree.

Graduates

The programme is also open to graduates, provided they meet the programme’s application requirements.

The opportunity is available across all academic disciplines, meaning applicants do not have to study German, languages or humanities.

What Can Be Funded?

DAAD provides funding for participation in eligible German language and cultural studies courses and technical language courses.

The courses must come from the officially approved course offerings listed by DAAD.

Applicants can consult the official course list to identify available courses, including information about:

Course dates
Language levels
Course focus
Host institutions
Course locations

Course Language and Format

The University Summer Courses are:

Taught exclusively in German

Participants should therefore be prepared to learn and communicate in German throughout the programme.

Fully in person

Attendance is mandatory, and remote participation is not possible.

This makes the programme particularly useful for students who want an immersive German-language experience in Germany.

Duration of the Programme

The DAAD University Summer Courses have a duration of:

Four weeks

Courses can run for a maximum of five days per week, with at least:

25 teaching hours per week

The grants are not extendable.

Courses take place between June and September.

DAAD Scholarship Benefits

The programme provides several forms of financial and practical support.

Language Course Costs

DAAD covers the costs of the eligible language course.

This removes one of the major expenses associated with intensive summer language programmes.

Accommodation

The course provider provides accommodation for the duration of the course.

Accommodation is generally in a single room, which may be provided in:

A student residence
A shared apartment
A private household

€475 One-Time Allowance

Scholarship recipients receive a:

€475 one-time allowance

The allowance is distributed through the course provider and paid to scholarship holders on site.

Travel Allowance

Participants also receive a country-specific travel allowance.

The exact amount depends on the applicant’s country and the applicable DAAD travel-subsidy rates.

Insurance

The scholarship includes:

Health insurance
Accident insurance
Personal liability insurance

This provides important protection during the summer course period.

Important Payment Information

DAAD notes that the €475 allowance and applicable travel allowance are not transferred to applicants abroad before travel.

Instead, DAAD transfers these funds to the course provider, who then pays the scholarship holders in cash on site.

Applicants should therefore plan their finances accordingly when preparing for travel to Germany.

Academic Fields

One of the main advantages of the programme is that it is not restricted to a particular subject area.

Students and graduates from different fields can apply.

For example, applicants may come from backgrounds such as:

Business
Engineering
Information technology
Economics
Medicine
Social sciences
Natural sciences
Humanities
Law
Education

The main purpose of the programme is to strengthen participants’ German language and regional knowledge, regardless of their primary field of study.

Course Options

DAAD provides an official list of eligible university summer courses.

Each course can differ in:

German language level

Course dates

Course content

Technical language focus

Cultural and regional studies components

Applicants should therefore carefully review the official course list before selecting their preferred programme.

The official source provides both:

Course List – Excel

and

Course List – PDF

for applicants who experience difficulties opening the spreadsheet version.

Selection Process

Applications are reviewed by a:

Selection committee

DAAD evaluates candidates according to academic and motivational criteria.

The two key selection criteria identified by the programme are:

Previous Academic Achievement

The applicant’s previous academic performance is considered when evaluating the application.

A strong academic record can therefore be an important factor in the selection process.

Motivation

Applicants must demonstrate convincing motivation for:

Choosing their selected study programme
Participating in the German summer course
Connecting the course to their future academic project

The motivation component is therefore an important part of the application.

Why Study German in Germany?

The programme combines formal language instruction with direct exposure to German society and regional studies.

By attending an intensive course in Germany, participants can use their German in an everyday environment while studying alongside students from potentially different countries and academic backgrounds.

The programme can be especially useful for students who plan to pursue future:

Studies in Germany
International academic programmes
Research involving German institutions
Professional opportunities involving German
International careers in German-speaking environments

Fully Funded or Partially Funded?

The DAAD University Summer Courses programme provides substantial financial support, including course fees, accommodation, a €475 allowance, a country-specific travel allowance and insurance.

However, applicants should not interpret this as an unlimited fully funded scholarship covering every possible expense.

The official programme specifically identifies the benefits listed above, while the participant may still have additional personal expenses.

Applicants should therefore review the detailed DAAD funding conditions for their particular country and course.

German Language Requirements

The supplied programme information does not provide a single universal minimum German language score applicable to every summer course.

Instead, individual courses may have their own language-level requirements.

Applicants should therefore check the official course list carefully before selecting a programme.

This is particularly important because the courses are taught exclusively in German.

Application Preparation

Applicants should begin by reviewing the official DAAD course list and identifying a programme that matches their:

Academic interests
German language level
Availability
Study objectives
Future academic plans

The motivation letter should clearly explain why the selected summer course is relevant to the applicant’s academic development and future plans.

Because academic achievement and motivation are major selection criteria, applicants should ensure that their academic record and proposed study objectives are presented clearly.

How to Apply

Applications are made through the DAAD scholarship application system according to the programme’s current application instructions.

Official DAAD Scholarship Database:
DAAD University Summer Courses offered in Germany for Foreign Students and Graduates

DAAD Course List:
Official DAAD University Summer Course List

Applicants should use the official DAAD scholarship database to verify the applicable application procedure and dates for their country.

Important Note About the 2026 Deadline

The information supplied here describes the 2026 programme, but it does not state the application deadline.

Applicants should therefore check the DAAD scholarship database for the specific deadline applicable to the relevant application cycle rather than relying on an unofficial date.

Quick Facts

Category	Details
Programme	DAAD University Summer Courses
Country	Germany
Provider	DAAD – German Academic Exchange Service
Target group	Foreign students and graduates
Academic fields	All subject areas
Course type	German language, cultural studies and technical language
Course language	German
Delivery	In person only
Duration	4 weeks
Teaching load	At least 25 hours per week
Course period	June–September
Course fees	Covered
Accommodation	Provided by course provider
One-time allowance	€475
Travel	Country-specific allowance
Insurance	Health, accident and personal liability
Grants extendable	No
Selection	Academic achievement and motivation

Final Thoughts

The DAAD University Summer Courses in Germany 2026 provide an excellent opportunity for international students and graduates from all academic disciplines to improve their German language skills while experiencing life and culture in Germany.

The programme funds eligible language, regional studies and technical language courses, with each course lasting four weeks and providing at least 25 teaching hours per week.

The financial package includes course fees, accommodation, a €475 one-time allowance, a country-specific travel allowance and health, accident and personal liability insurance.

Applicants should pay particular attention to the academic and motivation components of the selection process. A strong academic record and a convincing explanation of how the chosen summer course supports the applicant’s future academic plans are central selection considerations.

Because the supplied information does not state the 2026 application deadline, candidates should verify the current deadline and country-specific application instructions through the official DAAD scholarship database before submitting an application.

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