In 2026, many German foundations, such as Friedrich Ebert and Heinrich Böll, will require B2/C1 German proficiency even for English-taught courses; however, several “English-friendly” pathways will still be available. These scholarships are designed for international students who have not yet mastered the German language but have strong academic or professional records.
1. DAAD EPOS Scholarships
The Developmentally Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) program is the most popular choice for English speakers. It funds specific master’s and PhD programmes taught entirely in English.
- Requirements: You must have at least two years of professional experience and a valid English test (IELTS or TOEFL). German is not required for these specific courses.
- Monthly Allowance: €992 for Master’s and €1,300 (rising to €1,400 in late 2026) for PhD students.
- 2026 Deadlines: Most deadlines for the 2027 intake fall between August and October 2026. Some specialised courses, like Sustainable Energy at U Flensburg, have windows closing as late as January 2027.
2. DHET Funda Germany Scholarship (For South Africans)
A specific, fully funded program for 2026/2027 is aimed at students from South Africa who want to study at Constructor University in Bremen.
- Language: Constructor University is a private, English-language institution. No German is required for the application or the degree.
- Value: Full tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, and annual return flights.
- 2026 Status: While undergraduate/Master’s deadlines passed in February, the PhD application window remains open until March 31, 2027, for the next cycle.
3. KAAD Scholarship (Africa, Asia, Latin America)
The Catholic Academic Exchange Service (KAAD) supports students from developing nations. While they value German skills, they offer a unique “Language First” approach for English speakers.
- English Pathway: If you are highly qualified but speak only English, KAAD may fund a 6-month intensive German course in Germany before your degree starts.
- Requirement: You must be a Christian (or proposed by a Catholic partner) and have professional experience in your home country.
- 2026 Deadline: The primary application deadline is June 30, 2026.
4. Deutschlandstipendium (National Merit Scholarship)
The Deutschlandstipendium is the most accessible award for English speakers already admitted to a German university. It is based purely on merit, not language.
- Requirement: No specific German language requirement is set by the government; it depends entirely on your university’s admission criteria. If your course is in English, your IELTS/TOEFL is sufficient.
- Value: €300 per month for at least two semesters.
- Process: Apply directly through your university’s international office once you have your admission letter.
5. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
Many Erasmus programs hosted in Germany are taught 100% in English and include partners from other European countries.
- Value: A full monthly stipend of €1,400 plus travel costs.
- Focus: Search the Erasmus Mundus catalogue for programs like Euroculture or STEPS (sustainable transportation) that have German university partners but use English as the medium of instruction.
Conclusion
If you speak only English, your best strategy for 2026 is to target the DAAD EPOS list, as these programmes are pre-vetted for English-speaking professionals. The Deutschlandstipendium is your most reliable “automatic” option if you have already secured admission to an English-taught master’s program. Avoid the political foundations (KAS, FES, Böll) unless you are willing to reach a B2 German level by the time your scholarship interview begins, as they rarely waive the language requirement for international scholars.
Are you interested in a specific field like development economics, engineering, or public health, which are the most common subjects for English-taught scholarships in Germany?
In 2026, many German foundations, such as Friedrich Ebert and Heinrich Böll, will require B2/C1 German proficiency even for courses taught in English. However, there are a few “English-friendly” ways to get around this requirement. These scholarships are for international students who haven’t yet mastered German but have strong academic or professional records.
1. Scholarships from DAAD EPOS
English speakers like the Development-Related Postgraduate Course (EPOS) program the most. The DAAD EPOS programme funds specific Master’s and PhD programmes exclusively taught in English.
- You need to have at least two years of work experience and a valid English test (IELTS or TOEFL). These specific classes don’t require German.
- Monthly allowance: €992 for master’s students and €1,300 (rising to €1,400 in late 2026) for PhD students.
- Deadlines for 2026: Most of the deadlines for the 2027 intake are between August and October 2026. Some specialised courses, like Sustainable Energy at U Flensburg, have deadlines that go as far as January 2027.
2. The DHET Funda Germany Scholarship (for South Africans)
A specific, fully funded program for 2026/2027 will let students from South Africa study at Constructor University in Bremen.
- Language: Constructor University is a private school that teaches in English. For the application or the degree, you don’t need to know any German.
- Value: full tuition, a monthly stipend, a place to stay, and flights home once a year.
- 2026 Status: The deadlines for undergraduate and master’s applications passed in February, but the deadline for PhD applications is still open until March 31, 2027.
3. KAAD Scholarship for students from Africa, Asia, and Latin America
The Catholic Academic Exchange Service (KAAD) helps students from poor countries. They value German skills, but they also have a unique “Language First” approach for people who speak English.
- English Pathway: If you are well-qualified but only speak English, KAAD may pay for you to take a 6-month intensive German course in Germany before you start your degree.
- You must be a Christian (or suggested by a Catholic partner) and have worked in your home country.
- The main application deadline is June 30, 2026.
4. Deutschlandstipendium (National Merit Scholarship)
This is the easiest award for English speakers who are already students at a German university to get. It is based only on merit, not language.
- Requirement: The government doesn’t require you to speak German, but your university’s admission requirements will determine what you need to know. Your IELTS or TOEFL is enough if your course is in English.
- Value: at least two semesters at €300 per month.
- Once you get your acceptance letter, apply directly through your university’s international office.
5. Joint Masters from Erasmus Mundus
Many Erasmus programmes in Germany exclusively offer courses in English and collaborate with other European countries.
- Value: €1,400 a month plus travel expenses.
- Focus: Look in the Erasmus Mundus catalogue for programs like Euroculture or STEPS (sustainable transportation) that have German university partners but teach in English.
Final Thoughts
If you only speak English, the best thing you can do for 2026 is to focus on the DAAD EPOS list. English-speaking professionals have already checked out these programmes. If you’ve already been accepted into an English-taught master’s programme, the Deutschlandstipendium is the best “automatic” choice for you. If you don’t want to reach a B2 level of German by the time your scholarship interview starts, stay away from the political foundations (KAS, FES, Böll). They don’t often waive the language requirement for international scholars.
Are you interested in a certain area of study, like development economics, engineering, or public health? These are the most popular subjects for English-taught scholarships in Germany.
