The DAAD University Summer Course Scholarship (known as Hochschulsommerkurse or HSK) is one of the most prestigious funding opportunities for international students to immerse themselves in German language and culture.
For the Summer 2026 intake, the program is specifically designed to help students deepen their general or technical German language skills and regional studies through intensive four-week courses at state-recognized German universities.
DAAD Summer Course Scholarship 2026
| Feature | Details |
| Host Country | Germany |
| Duration | 18 teaching days (minimum), typically 4 weeks |
| Value | Fully Funded (Scholarship + Allowances) |
| Instruction | Exclusively in German |
| Deadline | December 1, 2025 (for Summer 2026) |
Financial Benefits
Selected scholars receive a comprehensive support package to cover their time in Germany:
- Course Fee Coverage: DAAD covers the full cost of the language course.
- Monthly Allowance: A one-time payment of €450.
- Accommodation: Provided directly by the course organizer (e.g., a student dormitory or shared apartment).
- Travel Allowance: A country-specific lump sum to help cover your flights (except for Western Europe).
- Insurance: Comprehensive health, accident, and personal liability insurance coverage.
Eligibility and Language Requirements
Unlike some general exchange programs, this scholarship has a specific German language prerequisite:
- Academic Status: Open to Bachelor’s and Master’s students of any discipline.
- University Progress: Undergraduates must have completed at least two years of university by the time the scholarship begins.
- Language Level: You must demonstrate a German proficiency of at least A2 or B1 at the time of application. Accepted certificates include:
- onSET-Deutsch, TestDaF, or Goethe-Zertifikat.
- DSD, DSH, or telc Deutsch.
- Note: The language certificate must be no older than one year.
Course Selection and Topics
Funding is provided for a variety of courses which can be searched via the DAAD HSK Course List.
- General Language: Standard German at various levels.
- Technical Language: Specialized German for medicine, law, engineering, or business.
- Regional Studies: Courses focused on German history, culture, and politics.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
- Select Courses: Choose three preferred courses from the DAAD database. You will list these in order of priority.
- Register Online: Create an account on the DAAD Scholarship Portal.
- Prepare Documents: All documents must be in German or English (with translations where necessary):
- Tabular CV (in German).
- Letter of Motivation (in German).
- Transcripts of university records.
- Valid German Language Certificate.
- Submit: Applications typically open on September 1st and close on December 1st each year.
Important Notes for 2026
- Attendance: Participation is exclusively in person. Remote or hybrid participation is not funded.
- Previous Funding: You can only receive this specific scholarship once in your academic career.
- Age: Applicants must be at least 18 years old when the course starts.