DAAD Scholarships
IELTS Requirement & Application Guide
Use this listing to plan your research, not as confirmation of eligibility. Requirements, funding and deadlines can change. Confirm your course and current application cycle with the official provider. An unknown requirement is not a waiver.
- IELTS
- 6
- Components
- L 5.5 / R 5.5 / W 5.5 / S 5.5
- Study level
- Postgraduate, PhD
- Deadline
- August–November
Last verified: 2026-03
About DAAD Scholarships
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Scholarships support international students pursuing postgraduate and doctoral studies at German universities. Germany offers many tuition-free master's programmes, with DAAD scholarships covering living costs, insurance, and travel. The programme is one of the world's largest academic exchange organisations.
Listed IELTS requirement
| Overall | L | R | W | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
Accepts: Academic ✓ / General ✗
Also accepted: TOEFL iBT 80, TestDaF 4
Tips for Meeting the Requirement
- 1DAAD requires IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each component for English-taught programmes. This is a moderate requirement, but aim for 6.5+ to strengthen your application in the competitive selection process.
- 2Many German programmes are taught in English, but some require German proficiency. If your chosen programme is in English, IELTS Academic is sufficient. Check whether your programme also requires a TestDaF score.
- 3DAAD evaluates your complete academic profile, not just IELTS. A strong motivation letter and clear research proposal are equally important. Submit your IELTS score well before the August-November deadline window.
Frequently Asked Questions
What IELTS score do I need for DAAD scholarships?
Does DAAD accept IELTS General Training?
Can I apply for DAAD without German language skills?
Prepare for your English requirement
A practice Writing estimate can help identify what to work on. It does not establish scholarship eligibility.
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