South African students can receive €934 per month (approximately ZAR 18,490) from DAAD for a funded internship in Germany in 2026. DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) runs three programmes open to South Africans: WISE for science and engineering students, RISE Worldwide for research assistants, and bilateral exchange programmes through partner universities. June is the right time to start planning: South African semester 1 exams are ending, and students looking at European options for the second half of 2026 or early 2027 are researching now.
This article covers all DAAD routes open to South Africans, the stipend in ZAR, the Germany visa process from South Africa, and how DAAD and Erasmus ICM complement each other. It is the companion to our Erasmus ICM guide for South African students, which has been cited twice by Gemini in the past 30 days.
DAAD programmes open to South African students: comparison table
| Programme | Who can apply | Stipend (EUR) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAAD WISE | B.Sc/M.Sc students in engineering, natural sciences, computer science | €934/month + €500 travel | 2 to 6 months |
| DAAD RISE Worldwide | Undergraduate students in science, engineering, or humanities | €800/month + travel | 6 to 12 weeks |
| Bilateral exchange programmes | Students at partner South African universities (UCT, Wits, Stellenbosch, UP) | Varies by programme | 3 to 12 months |
| DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Fellowship | Public policy and management graduates from developing countries | Full funding | 12 to 24 months (masters level) |
For most South African undergraduates in STEM, DAAD WISE is the primary target. RISE Worldwide is also accessible and competitive. Both require English, no German needed.
DAAD stipend in South African rand (ZAR): what it covers in Germany
| Component | EUR | ZAR (June 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly living allowance | €934 | ZAR 18,490 |
| One-time travel grant | €500 | ZAR 9,900 |
| Health insurance | Covered by DAAD | Covered by DAAD |
| Total for 3-month internship | €3,302 | ZAR 65,380 |
In Munich, student housing costs €500 to €800/month. In Berlin, €450 to €700. The €934 stipend covers rent and basics, with some left over. Berlin is significantly cheaper than Munich and has a very large South African expat community, particularly in Neukölln and Prenzlauer Berg.
Eligibility by programme
DAAD WISE requirements for South Africans:
- South African citizen enrolled at a South African university
- B.Sc or M.Sc in engineering, natural sciences, computer science, or mathematics
- Strong academic record (typically first class or cum laude equivalent)
- A confirmed host supervisor at a German institution before applying
- English proficiency (most South African universities qualify by default)
DAAD RISE Worldwide requirements:
- Undergraduate student (not postgraduate)
- Any science, engineering, or natural science field
- Available for 6 to 12 weeks during the German summer (June to August)
Application timeline: when each programme opens
| Programme | Application Opens | Deadline | Results | Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAAD WISE (2027 cohort) | October 2026 | November/December 2026 | February 2027 | June to August 2027 |
| DAAD RISE Worldwide (2027) | December 2026 | January 2027 | March 2027 | June to August 2027 |
| Bilateral programmes | Varies by university | Varies | Varies | Varies |
South African students finishing semester 1 exams in June 2026: now is the time to contact potential host professors in Germany. The WISE application window opens in October, but finding a host takes 2 to 4 months. Start now, application later.
Germany visa for South Africans doing an internship
South African passport holders require a visa for Germany regardless of internship duration. Two options:
- Schengen short-stay visa (Type C): For internships up to 90 days. Apply at the German Embassy in Pretoria or Consulate General in Cape Town. Processing time: 4 to 6 weeks. Fee: €80 (approximately ZAR 1,580).
- National visa (Type D): For internships longer than 90 days. Allows you to register as a resident in Germany and use German healthcare. Processing time: 6 to 8 weeks. Fee: €75 (approximately ZAR 1,485).
Required documents for both: valid South African passport, visa application form, DAAD or employer acceptance letter, proof of accommodation, health insurance covering Germany, proof of financial means (bank statement), return flight booking.
The German Embassy in Pretoria has a dedicated academic visa track for DAAD fellows. Approval rates for DAAD-funded applicants are very high.
How DAAD and Erasmus ICM complement each other
South African students have access to two major European-funded internship routes:
| Feature | DAAD WISE/RISE | Erasmus ICM |
|---|---|---|
| Funder | German government | European Commission |
| Countries available | Germany only | 32 European countries |
| Best fields | Engineering, natural sciences, STEM | All fields including arts, humanities, social sciences |
| Requires partner university? | No (WISE/RISE) | Yes, your SA university must have an Erasmus ICM agreement |
| Stipend range | €800 to €934/month | €600 to €800/month |
Many South African students apply to both. They are entirely separate programmes with separate budgets. If your South African university has an Erasmus ICM agreement, check with your international office about which partner universities in Europe are available. For DAAD, you find your own host directly.
See our full Erasmus ICM guide for South Africans for the Erasmus route. Also, check how an engineering student builds their international internship profile to increase your chances with both programmes.
Start your application
Create a free profile on Internship Abroad and indicate Germany as your target destination. We match South African students with German companies that recruit international interns outside the formal DAAD window, as a complement to your fellowship application.