DAAD Scholarship for Pakistani Students: 2027 Guide to EPOS, Doctoral Funding, Eligibility and Deadlines
Pakistani students can win a DAAD scholarship for a Master's or doctorate in Germany, mainly through EPOS development-related courses. DAAD pays €992 a month for Master's scholars and €1,400 for doctoral candidates, plus insurance and travel. EPOS needs two years of work experience, and each course sets its own deadline.
- Master's
- €992 / month
- Doctoral
- €1,400 / month
- Work experience
- 2 years (EPOS)
What is the DAAD scholarship for Pakistani students?
The DAAD scholarship is funding from the German Academic Exchange Service for international students to study a Master's or doctorate in Germany. For Pakistani students, the main Master's route is EPOS, a set of development-related courses, while doctoral candidates use DAAD research grants. Both pay a monthly amount, insurance and travel.
DAAD funds courses in fields such as engineering, public health, economics, agriculture, water and environment. EPOS courses look for professionals who plan to use the degree for development work in Pakistan.
German public universities usually charge no tuition. The study in Germany from Pakistan page explains admission, costs and the grade formula.
How much does the DAAD scholarship pay?
The DAAD scholarship pays €992 a month to Master's-level scholars and €1,400 a month to doctoral candidates from February 2026, roughly PKR 3.2 lakh and PKR 4.5 lakh. DAAD also pays health insurance and a travel allowance, and German public universities usually charge no tuition fee.
| Item | Amount | Approx. in PKR |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly payment, Master's | €992 / month | ≈ PKR 3.2 lakh / month |
| Monthly payment, doctoral | €1,400 / month (from Feb 2026) | ≈ PKR 4.5 lakh / month |
| Master's total over 24 months | ≈ €23,808 | ≈ PKR 76 lakh |
| Health insurance | Paid by DAAD | - |
| Travel allowance | Paid by DAAD | - |
| Tuition at public universities | Usually none | Semester fee paid by student |
PKR figures use €1 ≈ PKR 320 (3 Oct 2026). DAAD confirms exact terms in each award letter.
Amounts are listed in the official DAAD EPOS database entry. The stipend replaces most of the Germany blocked account amount, so check your award letter before opening one.
Who is eligible for a DAAD scholarship from Pakistan?
Pakistani applicants are eligible for DAAD EPOS if they hold a recognised 16-year Bachelor's degree in a related field, have at least two years of professional experience and meet the course's English or German requirement. Doctoral applicants need a Master's degree and a research plan or supervisor in Germany.
- A recognised 16-year Bachelor's degree in a field related to the course.
- At least two years of professional experience for EPOS Master's courses.
- A strong CGPA, usually in the upper part of the class.
- English (IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL) or German, as set by each course.
- A motivation letter linking the course to development work in Pakistan.
- Reference letters, often including one from the current employer.
Fresh graduates rarely qualify for EPOS. They can apply to tuition-free Master's courses first through uni-assist and look for university awards.
How do I apply for a DAAD scholarship from Pakistan?
Pakistani students apply for a DAAD scholarship by searching the DAAD database, shortlisting up to three EPOS courses, preparing HEC-attested documents, a work certificate, a language test, references and a development-focused motivation letter, then submitting before each course's own deadline, usually between August and October.
- 1Search the DAAD database. Filter for Pakistan and Master's or doctorate to see open programmes.
- 2Shortlist EPOS courses. DAAD allows up to three EPOS courses per year, ranked by preference.
- 3Check each course page. Note the deadline, language test, experience and document list.
- 4Prepare HEC-attested documents. Attest degree and transcripts, and get the work certificate on letterhead.
- 5Write the DAAD motivation letter. Explain the course, your work and how you will use it in Pakistan.
- 6Collect references. Ask a teacher and an employer who know your work.
- 7Submit before the course deadline. Most courses use the DAAD portal or their own portal.
- 8Prepare the visa after selection. Use the award letter as proof of funds for the student visa.
Admission and the scholarship are decided together for EPOS courses. A strong application to one course is better than weak applications to three.
Which other Germany scholarships can Pakistani students get?
Besides DAAD, Pakistani students in Germany can win Erasmus Mundus joint Master's awards, the €300-a-month Deutschlandstipendium after enrolment, and university or foundation scholarships. DAAD remains the largest funder. Students without work experience often rely on these other awards and on tuition-free public universities.
| Scholarship | What it pays | Note |
|---|---|---|
| DAAD EPOS | €992 / month + insurance + travel | Needs 2 years' work experience |
| DAAD doctoral programmes | €1,400 / month | PhD in Germany |
| Erasmus Mundus | Full tuition + ≈ €1,400 / month | Multi-country Master's |
| Deutschlandstipendium | €300 / month | Applied for after enrolment |
| University and foundation awards | Varies | Set by each university |
Erasmus Mundus details are in the Erasmus Mundus scholarship page. Students who also qualify for Hungary or Turkey can compare the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship page and the Türkiye Bursları scholarship page.
How do I write a DAAD motivation letter that wins?
A winning DAAD motivation letter links the applicant's degree and work experience to the chosen EPOS course, names the modules that matter and explains how the degree will help development work in Pakistan after return. It should be about two pages, specific to each course, with real projects and results.
EPOS committees look for future leaders in their home country. Concrete examples from a job, such as a project managed or a problem solved, carry more weight than general praise for Germany.
The employer reference should confirm the same work. Many EPOS courses also ask for a signed DAAD application form and a CV in Europass style.
When are the DAAD 2027 deadlines for Pakistani students?
DAAD EPOS deadlines for the 2027 intake are set by each course and mostly fall between August and October 2026. Selection and online interviews follow from November, results usually arrive between February and April 2027, and scholars start in Germany in the winter semester from October.
| Stage | Typical timing | Note |
|---|---|---|
| DAAD database updated | May – July | New EPOS list published |
| Most EPOS deadlines | August – October | Set by each course |
| Selection and interviews | November – February | Some courses interview online |
| Results | February – April | Award letter from DAAD |
| Visa and language course | April – September | Some scholars start with a German course |
Language tests and HEC attestation should be finished before July. References take time, so ask referees early.
What happens after winning the DAAD scholarship?
After winning DAAD, Pakistani scholars use the award letter to apply for the German student visa, usually instead of a blocked account. Some scholars join a German language course before the semester starts. Graduates can then apply for Germany's 18-month job-seeker permit to look for work.
The visa process is in the Germany student visa page. Students without DAAD funding still need a German blocked account.
DAAD scholars stay in the DAAD alumni network after graduation. EPOS expects most graduates to use their skills in Pakistan or the region.
Which mistakes stop Pakistani students winning DAAD?
The mistakes that most often stop Pakistani students winning DAAD are applying for EPOS without two years of work experience, choosing unrelated courses, writing about Germany instead of Pakistan's development needs, missing August or September deadlines, unattested documents and paying agents who promise guaranteed scholarships.
- Applying for EPOS without the required two years of work experience.
- Choosing courses unrelated to the Bachelor's degree or job.
- Writing a motivation letter about Germany instead of development in Pakistan.
- Missing an August or September course deadline.
- Uploading documents without HEC attestation or work certificates.
- Paying an agent who promises a guaranteed DAAD scholarship.
A free DAAD profile check with Hammad Study Abroad reviews your course shortlist and motivation letter before the deadlines. After selection, the Germany student visa from Pakistan page explains the embassy steps.
DAAD scholarship, frequently asked questions
How much does the DAAD scholarship pay per month?
The DAAD scholarship pays €992 a month for Master's-level graduates and €1,400 a month for doctoral candidates from February 2026, roughly PKR 3.2 lakh and PKR 4.5 lakh. DAAD also adds health insurance and a travel allowance, and most German public universities charge no tuition.
Is work experience required for DAAD EPOS?
Yes. DAAD EPOS, the main Master's scholarship open to Pakistani students, asks for at least two years of professional experience after the Bachelor's degree in a related field. Fresh graduates usually cannot win EPOS and should look at university scholarships or doctoral routes instead.
What CGPA is needed for a DAAD scholarship?
DAAD sets no single CGPA. Each EPOS course ranks applicants, and successful Pakistani candidates usually rank in the upper part of their class with a CGPA of about 3.0 out of 4 or higher. Relevant work experience and a clear development-focused motivation letter count heavily.
Is IELTS required for the DAAD scholarship?
Most English-taught EPOS courses ask for IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 80–90, set by the university. German-taught courses need German at about B2 or C1. Pakistani applicants should check each course page, because DAAD itself does not set one score.
When is the DAAD 2027 deadline for Pakistani students?
DAAD EPOS deadlines for the 2027 intake are set by each course and mostly fall between August and October 2026, with some later. Pakistani students should note the date on every chosen course page early, because a missed course deadline cannot be fixed later.
Can I apply for DAAD after FSc or for a Bachelor's?
No. DAAD scholarships for Pakistani students are for Master's and doctoral study, not for Bachelor's degrees after FSc. Students wanting a Bachelor's in Germany usually rely on tuition-free public universities and family funding instead.
Do DAAD scholars still need a blocked account?
Usually no. A DAAD award letter normally replaces the blocked account as proof of funds for the German student visa, because the monthly payment meets the funds rule. Students should confirm this with the German Embassy in Islamabad when booking the appointment.