Can I take a language course together with a scholarship?

Yes, most German scholarships include support for German/English language courses — especially the DAAD and major political foundations.

#DAAD Course Support

#For Master/PhD Scholars

• Intensive German course in Germany for 2-6 months before the scholarship
• DAAD pays (Goethe-Institut, Carl-Duisberg or similar institution)
• Course fee: 1,500-3,000 € (fully covered by DAAD)
• Accommodation + meal support included
• Course types available from A1 to C1

#Time Limits

• For Master: Up to 6 months of German course
• For PhD: 2 months are sufficient (most PhDs are in English)
• For research scholarships: Generally 1-2 months
• Re-invitation: No additional courses (for previous scholars)

#Accepted Institutions

• Goethe-Institut (Berlin, München, Frankfurt, Hamburg)
• Carl-Duisberg Centren (Bonn, Berlin)
• IIK (Internationales Institut Köln)
• Eurasia Institute

#Course Support from Other Scholarships

#KAAD (Catholic)

• 2-4 months German course before the scholarship
• Fully paid + accommodation

#KAS (Konrad Adenauer)

• Up to 6 months of language course support
• Combination of English + German possible

#Heinrich Böll

• Up to 6 months of German course
• High flexibility

#Friedrich Ebert (FES)

• Up to 6 months of language course
• Accommodation + meal support

#Cusanuswerk (Catholic academic foundation)

• German course + academic support
• Mentoring program

#Process

1. When you receive your scholarship acceptance letter, state your German level
2. DAAD/foundation places you in a suitable course
3. Come to Germany with a visa for the course (before the student visa)
4. After completing the course, university enrollment + Aufenthaltstitel

#DAAD Application with Insufficient German

• For a DAAD application, minimum B1 (Master) or B2 (PhD) is required
• If you don't have a C1 certificate at the time of application, course support is already included
• You won't be rejected for "insufficient German" — the scholarship includes a course

#Strategy

#Scenario: Bachelor's finished, German A2

1. Apply for a DAAD Master Studies scholarship (A2 is sufficient for acceptance)
2. If accepted → 6 months intensive German course with DAAD
3. At the end of the course B2+ → start Master's courses
4. Total process: Application + 6 months course + 2 years Master = ~3 years

#Scenario: Bachelor's finished, German C1 ready

1. Apply for DAAD, no course support needed
2. Start Master's program directly
3. Existing C1 level will be improved during the scholarship period

#Important Notes

Learning German in Turkey + DAAD acceptance is a possible alternative:

• Goethe / DeutschAkademie / TR ÖSYM YDS preparation in TR
• These certificates are shown in the DAAD application
• Still, DAAD might offer course support (to strengthen B2 level)

Language courses in Erasmus+ are more limited — Erasmus exchange programs do not include courses, but universities offer their own courses (free of charge)

Related: DAAD application | Goethe course.