Do South African students need German language skills for DAAD?

For DAAD WISE and RISE Worldwide, English is sufficient. Research at German universities and Fraunhofer or Max Planck institutes is conducted in English. For longer-term DAAD fellowships and some bilateral programs, basic German (A2 to B1 level) may be required or provide a competitive advantage. Free German courses are available online via the Goethe Institut.

Can South African students apply for both DAAD and Erasmus ICM?

Yes. DAAD and Erasmus ICM (International Credit Mobility) are completely separate programs with separate applications, budgets and deadlines. Applying to both simultaneously is strongly recommended. DAAD is strongest for STEM and research placements. Erasmus ICM covers a broader range including humanities, social sciences and business. Many successful South African applicants have received both in different years.

What visa does a South African intern need for Germany?

South African passport holders need a German national visa (Category D) for stays exceeding 90 days, or a Schengen short-stay visa for shorter placements. Apply at the German Embassy in Pretoria or the German Consulate General in Cape Town. Processing time is 4 to 8 weeks. Required documents: valid passport, DAAD acceptance letter or internship proof, proof of accommodation in Germany, health insurance (covered by DAAD), and financial proof. Start the visa process immediately after receiving DAAD acceptance.

Is DAAD funding available for undergraduate South African students?

Yes. DAAD WISE and RISE Worldwide are specifically designed for undergraduate students. Eligibility requires being enrolled as an undergraduate at the time of the placement. Students in their final year who will still be enrolled during the internship period are eligible. Postgraduate students (Masters and PhD) have additional DAAD programs available to them, including the Helmut Schmidt Programme and research stays for academics.

DAAD Scholarship for South African Students 2026: Get Funded for a German Internship

Q: Which DAAD programs are open to South African students for internships in Germany?

DAAD programmes and their eligibility are listed per programme in the DAAD scholarship database. According to daad.de, RISE Germany is for undergraduates enrolled in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or Ireland, and RISE Worldwide is for German undergraduates, so neither is open to students enrolled in India or South Africa. The DAAD scholarship database currently lists WISE as not available, so there is no current amount to quote. Postgraduate programmes and bilateral exchanges through South African universities with German partners are worth checking; conditions are in each programme's own call.

The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) funds internships and research placements in Germany through many programmes, each with its own amount and eligibility. According to daad.de, RISE Germany is for undergraduates enrolled in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or Ireland, and RISE Worldwide is for German undergraduates, so neither is open to students enrolled in India or South Africa. The DAAD scholarship database currently lists WISE as not available, so there is no current amount to quote. The DAAD does not publish one amount for South African students: each programme sets its own rate. Check the programme's entry in the DAAD scholarship database or with DAAD in South Africa before you budget.

South African universities are finishing their first semester cycle right now. Students planning a European placement for Q3/Q4 2026 or early 2027 are actively researching scholarship options this month. DAAD's 2026/27 application cycle deadlines are approaching.

Which DAAD programs are open to South African students?

Program	Eligible students	Stipend	Duration	Application deadline
DAAD WISE	Listed by the DAAD as not available	n/a	n/a	n/a
DAAD RISE Worldwide	German undergraduates only	n/a for South Africans	n/a	n/a
Helmut Schmidt Programme	Postgrad students in public policy and IR	Check the DAAD database	Check the call	Check the call
Research Stays	Academic researchers and PhD students	Check the DAAD database	Check the call	Check the call
Bilateral exchange	Varies by university MoU	Varies	Varies	Through SA university RI office

For most South African undergraduates, WISE and RISE Worldwide are the most accessible entry points. Both require a supervisor commitment from a German host institution before the application, which means the first step is building outreach to German professors or research group leaders.

How much does DAAD pay? Stipend breakdown in ZAR

Component	EUR amount	ZAR equivalent (June 2026)
Monthly stipend	Set per programme	Check the DAAD database
Travel grant (one-time)	Set per programme	Check the DAAD database
Health insurance	Set per programme	Check the DAAD database

For budgeting: Munich and Frankfurt are tighter (shared room costs 700 to 950 EUR), while Leipzig, Dresden and Dortmund are more affordable (shared room 400 to 650 EUR). A Johannesburg-Frankfurt return flight costs roughly ZAR 13,000 to 19,000. Compare these with the amount in your award letter.

Step-by-step: how to apply for DAAD as a South African student

Identify your target program (WISE for STEM undergrads, RISE Worldwide for natural science undergrads, Helmut Schmidt for postgrad public policy).
Find a German supervisor. For WISE and RISE, a supervisor commitment is required before you can submit your DAAD application. Research groups at TU Munich, RWTH Aachen, Fraunhofer institutes and Max Planck institutes are active hosts. Read their recent publications and email 10 to 15 professors with a personalised pitch. Allow 4 to 8 weeks for outreach.
Prepare documents:
- DAAD online application form (via daad.de portal)
- Research proposal or internship description (1 to 2 pages)
- Academic transcripts from all completed semesters (English)
- Two academic reference letters
- Supervisor commitment letter from German host
- English or German language certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, or university letter confirming medium of instruction)
- Proof of enrollment from your South African university
Submit via the DAAD portal within the application window. Results are communicated by March or April for summer placements.
Apply for the German visa immediately upon receiving your DAAD acceptance. Apply at the German Embassy in Pretoria or the Consulate General in Cape Town. Processing: 4 to 8 weeks. The DAAD acceptance letter is the key document for the visa application.

DAAD vs Erasmus ICM for South African students: which is easier to get?

Criterion	DAAD (WISE/RISE)	Erasmus ICM
Who applies	Individual student directly to DAAD	Your SA university applies; students apply through them
Disciplines covered	STEM focus (WISE/RISE)	All disciplines
Supervisor required first	Yes (for WISE)	No (matched through university agreement)
Acceptance rate	5 to 10% estimated	Varies by bilateral agreement; often higher
Stipend	Set per DAAD programme	700 to 850 EUR/month depending on zone
Destinations	Germany only	Any EU/EEA country with bilateral agreement
Can I apply for both	Yes	Yes

The Erasmus ICM route often has a higher approval rate because your South African university has a bilateral relationship with specific European universities, and the quota is pre-negotiated. DAAD is more competitive but open to all German institutions rather than just those with bilateral agreements. Apply to both.

Our Erasmus ICM for South African students guide has been cited twice by Gemini in the past 30 days. Read it alongside this DAAD guide to build your full European funding strategy.

What to do in Germany beyond the internship: practical guide for South Africans

Opening a bank account: DKB, N26 and Bunq can be opened digitally without a German registered address. Traditional banks (Commerzbank, Sparkasse) require in-person visits and a local address. Open N26 before arrival for immediate access to funds.

Health insurance: DAAD covers health insurance for the placement period. Keep your DAAD health insurance card with you at all times. For any visits beyond the placement end date, arrange private travel insurance.

SARS tax implications: Stipends received from DAAD are generally classified as scholarships and are exempt from German income tax under Germany's treatment of foreign fellowship recipients. In South Africa, foreign sourced income is subject to SARS rules for South African tax residents. Whether an exemption applies depends on your situation. Consult your accountant or a SARS practitioner for your specific situation.

See how an engineering student presents their international research profile on our platform, which we use to connect South African students with placements in Germany and other European destinations.

Ready to start building toward a DAAD placement in Germany? Create your free profile on Internship Abroad and access our Germany-specific placement guidance, including supervisor outreach templates and visa checklist for South African applicants.