DAAD Study Scholarships

DAAD Study Scholarships for Music are postgraduate funding awards from the German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) that enable foreign graduates to pursue advanced music studies at German state colleges of music. Recipients receive a monthly stipend of 992 euros, travel allowances, health insurance, and a one-off study allowance for periods ranging from 10 to 24 months.

How DAAD Study Scholarships Work

The DAAD is Germany's largest organization for international academic exchange. Its music scholarship program funds postgraduate study at state colleges of music (Staatliche Musikhochschule) in Germany. A special DAAD committee of professors from German music colleges selects recipients based on artistic qualifications and the quality of the proposed project.

What Can Be Funded

The scholarship supports two types of study:

• Degree studies: Master's degree, Konzertexamen, or Meisterklasse programs. Funding lasts 2 to 4 semesters (10 to 24 months) depending on the program length.
• Advanced studies without a degree: Independent projects or advanced studies with a university lecturer at a German music college. Funding lasts 2 semesters (12 months), with possible extension.

Financial Benefits

• Monthly payment: 992 euros
• Travel allowance: Granted upon application
• Health, accident, and personal liability insurance: Covered
• One-off study allowance: Provided
• Monthly rent subsidy: Available
• Family allowance: For accompanying family members
• Language course: DAAD may fund a 2, 4, or 6-month German language course before studies begin
• Green Mobility Top Up: Support for climate-friendly travel to Germany

Eligibility

• You must hold a first degree in music by the time the scholarship begins (or have exhausted all training opportunities in your home country if no degree is offered)
• Your university degree should not date back more than 6 years at the application deadline
• You must not have resided in Germany for more than 15 months prior to the application deadline
• You must submit audio or video recordings through the DAAD media database as part of the application

Application Process

Applications are submitted through the DAAD portal. After submitting documents, you receive a link to upload musical recordings to the DAAD media database. A committee of music professors evaluates applications based on artistic maturity, study plan quality, and motivation.

A scholarship award does not guarantee admission to a German music college. You must separately apply and audition at your chosen institution. Entrance exams often occur months before the desired start date.

Application Deadlines

The application deadline for the 2027/28 cycle is September 24, 2026. Funding begins in October 2027.

Deadlines can vary by country of origin in some cases. Always check the DAAD scholarship database for your specific country to confirm the exact deadline. The DAAD portal only shows the application tab during the active application period.

The typical timeline:

• September 2026: Application deadline
• October 2026 to March 2027: Committee review of applications and audio/video recordings
• Spring 2027: Scholarship decisions announced
• March to July 2027: Apply and audition at chosen German music colleges
• October 2027: Funding begins (start of German winter semester)

Award Amounts

The total financial package can exceed EUR 30,000 over two years. Here is the breakdown:

For comparison, DAAD Master's scholarships in other fields also pay EUR 992/month. Doctoral candidates and postdocs receive EUR 1,300 per month (increasing to EUR 1,400 as of February 2026).

Germany's state music colleges charge minimal or no tuition fees. The EUR 992 monthly stipend goes directly toward living costs: rent, food, and study materials. This makes postgraduate study in Germany accessible without taking on debt.

Past Recipients

The DAAD does not publish a comprehensive public list of music scholarship recipients. However, several notable alumni have shared their experiences:

• Krzysztof Penderecki (1933-2020): Polish composer, widely considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century. Held a DAAD scholarship for composition study in Berlin from 1968 to 1970. His compositions were later used in films including The Exorcist and The Shining.
• Peter Eötvös (born 1944): Hungarian composer and conductor. Received a DAAD scholarship in 1966 to study conducting at Cologne University of Music. Described it as "a decisive starting point of my professional career." Later received the Golden Lion Award for lifetime achievement and Hungary's highest state award.

The DAAD also awards a separate "DAAD Prize for Outstanding Achievements of International Students" at individual institutions. Recent music prize recipients at the HMT Leipzig include:

Video: DAAD Scholarships Step-by-Step Guide

This video provides a step-by-step walkthrough of the DAAD scholarship application process. It covers eligibility, required documents, the DAAD portal, and tips for a strong application. While it covers DAAD scholarships broadly, the same portal and process apply to the music scholarship program.

Real-World Example

A violinist from Brazil with a bachelor's degree in music performance applies for a DAAD Study Scholarship in October 2025. She submits her application through the DAAD portal, including a study plan for a Master's program at the Hochschule fur Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin. Two weeks later, she receives a link to upload three video recordings of her performances to the DAAD media database.

If awarded, she receives 992 euros per month for 24 months (totaling approximately 23,808 euros), plus a travel allowance from Brazil to Germany, health insurance coverage, and a one-off study allowance. If her program requires German language skills, DAAD funds a 4-month language course before her studies begin. The total package can exceed 30,000 euros over two years.

She must also audition separately at Hanns Eisler. If she passes the entrance exam, her scholarship activates. If she is not admitted to any German music college, the scholarship cannot be used.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you are a musician with an undergraduate degree who wants to study in Germany, the DAAD scholarship covers your living costs entirely. Germany's state music colleges charge minimal or no tuition fees, so the 992-euro monthly stipend goes directly toward rent, food, and study materials. This makes postgraduate study in Germany accessible without taking on debt.

The key steps are:

1. Research German music colleges and identify programs that match your instrument and goals
2. Contact the college's admission office to understand audition requirements and dates
3. Prepare high-quality video recordings for the DAAD media database
4. Write a detailed study plan explaining why Germany is essential for your artistic development
5. Submit the DAAD application before the October deadline

Related Opportunities

• Deutschlandstipendium for undergraduate and master's students at German universities
• ABRSM Scholarships for study at UK conservatoires
• Music Scholarships Directory for the full list of funding opportunities
• Music Schools Directory to find German music colleges
• Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your post-graduation earnings
• Visit the DAAD Scholarship Database for official details

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