🌟 Keep Calm, we are building an AI for you. Join our FREE Community 🙂
RWTH German Language Merit Scholarship 2026: Full Course Refund
RWTH German Language Merit Scholarship 2026: Eligibility, Refund & Application
10 min read
Updated
NBy Naman Kumar
Page Summary⌄
Funding: Full course-fee reimbursement for grades 1.0–1.7; 50% reimbursement for grades 2.0–4.0.
Who can apply: Enrolled students in nine eligible RWTH International Academy Master's programmes.
Eligible courses: Extracurricular German courses at the RWTH Language Center, up to and including C1.2.
October application: 15–30 October 2026 for qualifying courses completed in the preceding summer semester.
Documents: Course certificate, official fee confirmation, Transcript of Records and certificates for required curricular language courses.
Table of Contents
The RWTH German Language Merit Scholarship 2026 rewards eligible RWTH International Academy Master's students who successfully complete an extracurricular German-language course at the RWTH Language Center.
Depending on your course grade, you can receive either a full reimbursement or 50% reimbursement of the qualifying German course fee.
If you achieved a grade between 1.0 and 1.7, the scholarship can reimburse the full eligible course fee. If your grade is between 2.0 and 4.0, you can receive 50% reimbursement.
The current application window runs from 15 October to 30 October 2026 and applies to eligible German courses completed during the preceding summer semester.
RWTH German Language Merit Scholarship at a Glance
Information
Details
Scholarship
German Language Merit Scholarship
Provider
RWTH International Academy
University
Ready to Start Your German Study Adventure?
Explore our university finder tool to discover the perfect German university for your academic goals and preferences.
Naman Kumar has lived in Germany for over eight years and has spent more than five years helping international students navigate German universities, courses, scholarships, and admissions. Having studied in Germany himself and received scholarship support, he combines first-hand experience with practical guidance. He has supported more than 200 students in finding suitable study and funding opportunities in Germany.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Get the latest updates on studying in Germany, visa changes, and scholarship opportunities.
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and consent to receive updates from our company.
RWTH Aachen University
Location
Aachen, Germany
Study level
Master's
Scholarship type
German-language course fee reimbursement
Grade 1.0–1.7
Full reimbursement
Grade 2.0–4.0
50% reimbursement
Minimum passing grade
4.0
Maximum German level
C1.2
Eligible provider
RWTH Language Center
External courses
Not eligible
Repeat courses
Not eligible
October application period
15–30 October
April application period
15–30 April
Current window
15–30 October 2026
Application method
Online
RWTH International Academy created the scholarship to encourage enrolled students to improve their German beyond the language requirements built into their degree programmes.
What is the RWTH German Language Merit Scholarship?
The German Language Merit Scholarship, or GLMS, is a merit-based scholarship for selected students enrolled in Master's programmes administered by RWTH International Academy.
Instead of providing a monthly living stipend, the scholarship reimburses part or all of the fee for an eligible extracurricular German-language course completed through the RWTH Language Center.
RWTH International Academy explains that stronger German skills can give international graduates an advantage when applying for jobs and building a career in Germany.
The scholarship therefore rewards students who voluntarily continue developing their German beyond the language courses required by their academic programme.
How much funding can you receive?
The scholarship amount depends directly on the grade you receive in the qualifying German-language course.
Grade 1.0 to 1.7
You can receive a: Full scholarship
This means the scholarship can cover the full eligible fee of the qualifying German course.
Grade 2.0 to 4.0
You can receive a: 50% scholarship
This means half of the eligible German course fee can be reimbursed.
Below 4.0
You are not eligible because the qualifying German course must be successfully passed with a grade of 4.0 or better.
Is this a €300 or monthly scholarship?
No. The German Language Merit Scholarship is not a monthly stipend and does not provide a fixed amount such as €300 per month.
It is a one-time reimbursement based on the actual eligible German-language course fee and your course grade.
Your final scholarship value therefore depends on the fee of the German course for which you apply.
Which Master's programmes are eligible?
Under the latest regulations effective July 2025, you must be enrolled in one of the following RWTH International Academy programmes:
- M.Sc. Computer Aided Conception and Production in Mechanical Engineering
- M.Sc. Management and Engineering in Computer Aided Mechanical Engineering
- M.Sc. Management and Engineering in Production Systems
- M.Sc. Robotic Systems Engineering
- M.Sc. Smart Production Engineering
- M.Sc. Textile Engineering
- MPA European Studies
- M.Sc. Resilient Civil Engineering
- M.Sc. Battery Systems Engineering
This means the scholarship is not available to every RWTH Aachen University student.
You need to be enrolled in one of the qualifying programmes administered through RWTH International Academy.
Can Battery Systems Engineering students apply?
Yes. The latest July 2025 regulations explicitly include: M.Sc. Battery Systems Engineering among the eligible programmes.
This programme was not included in the older May 2024 version of the scholarship regulations, so you should use the latest regulations when determining eligibility.
Can international students apply?
Yes, if you are enrolled in one of the qualifying RWTH International Academy Master's programmes and meet the other scholarship conditions.
RWTH International Academy presents the German Language Merit Scholarship as one of its scholarships for enrolled students, within a scholarship portfolio designed largely around its international student community.
The current GLMS regulations do not publish a nationality restriction.
Your eligibility is determined primarily by your:
- degree programme
- study duration
- qualifying German course
- German-course grade
- completion of curricular language requirements
- financial standing with RWTH International Academy.
Do I need to be within the standard study period?
The latest regulations are slightly more flexible.
You can receive the scholarship during your: regular study period plus an additional two semesters.
This is important because older scholarship regulations stated only the regular study period.
If you are one or two semesters beyond your programme's standard duration, you may therefore still qualify under the current regulations.
Which German courses qualify?
The German course must meet several conditions.
It must be extracurricular
The course cannot count towards the academic requirements of your Master's degree.
It must be offered by the RWTH Language Center
Courses completed at external language schools or institutions are excluded.
You must pass the course
Your final grade must be: 4.0 or better.
The scholarship is available up to C1.2
You can receive support for eligible German-language learning up to and including: C1.2.
Can I apply for a German course from an external language school?
No. Only German-language courses offered through the: RWTH Language Center can qualify.
Courses from private language schools, Volkshochschulen or other external institutions are not eligible for this scholarship.
Can I receive funding for a German course that is part of my degree?
No. The qualifying course must be extracurricular.
It cannot count towards your Master's programme requirements.
You first need to complete the language modules required by your curriculum before using the scholarship for additional German-language development.
Do I need to complete my curricular language modules first?
Yes. The application documents require your Transcript of Records to demonstrate that the language modules included in your curriculum have been completed.
You must also provide the relevant RWTH Language Center certificates for language courses that formed part of your curriculum.
The scholarship is intended to reward additional German learning beyond your compulsory programme requirements.
Can I apply for the same German level twice?
No. You can apply only once for each:
- language level, or
- half level.
Repeat courses are not eligible.
For example, if you repeat the same German level after already completing it, you cannot use the repeated course as the basis for another GLMS application.
Can I receive the scholarship for a course up to C1.2?
Yes. The scholarship can support qualifying German-language courses up to and including: C1.2.
Courses beyond that level are not included in the published GLMS rules.
Do I need a minimum grade?
Yes. You must successfully complete the qualifying German course with: Grade 4.0 or better.
However, the amount you receive depends on your result.
German-course grade
Scholarship
1.0–1.7
100% of eligible course fee
2.0–4.0
50% of eligible course fee
Worse than 4.0
Not eligible
So higher performance directly increases the value of the scholarship.
Does my Master's GPA affect the scholarship amount?
The current regulations link the reimbursement percentage to the grade achieved in the qualifying German-language course.
They do not publish a separate minimum Master's GPA for this scholarship.
Your German-course performance is therefore the key merit factor used to determine whether you receive a full or partial reimbursement.
Can I apply if I owe money to RWTH International Academy?
You can only receive the scholarship if you have no outstanding liabilities with RWTH International Academy.
If you have outstanding liabilities, the regulations state that the scholarship amount can be fully or partly offset against those amounts depending on the individual case.
So before applying, check that your account with RWTH International Academy is clear.
When can I apply?
There are two GLMS application periods every year.
15–30 April
This application window is for qualifying German-language courses completed during the:
preceding winter semester.
15–30 October
This application window is for qualifying German-language courses completed during the:
preceding summer semester.
For the current round: 15–30 October 2026 is the relevant application period. RWTH International Academy also lists October 2026 as the current application round.
Can I apply in October for a course completed in the summer semester?
Yes. That is exactly what the October application period is designed for.
The regulations state:
- 15–30 April → preceding winter-semester courses
- 15–30 October → preceding summer-semester courses.
So if you successfully completed an eligible extracurricular German course during Summer Semester 2026, the October 2026 application window is the relevant round.
What documents do you need?
A complete application requires four main categories of documents.
1. German course certificate
Submit the official Leistungsnachweis for the German-language course for which you are requesting the scholarship.
The certificate must be issued by the: RWTH Language Center.
2. Official payment confirmation
You need a Zahlungsbeleg showing:
- the course title
- the course fee.
The payment confirmation must be: stamped and signed by the RWTH Language Center.
The regulations explicitly state that SEPA direct-debit mandates and screenshots of bank statements are not accepted as substitutes.
3. Transcript of Records
Your Transcript of Records must demonstrate that you have completed the curricular language modules required by your programme.
4. Certificates for curricular language courses
You must also submit RWTH Language Center certificates for language courses that formed part of your curriculum.
Do I need a motivation letter?
The latest GLMS regulations do not list a motivation letter among the required application documents.
Do not confuse the requirements of the German Language Merit Scholarship with other RWTH International Academy scholarships that may require motivation letters.
For GLMS, follow the document list shown in the current application portal and regulations.
Do I need a CV?
A CV is not listed in the current GLMS regulations as one of the required application documents.
Again, follow the application portal if it requests any additional information when you submit.
Can I upload a bank statement as proof that I paid for the German course?
No. The scholarship regulations specifically say that screenshots of bank statements are not considered valid payment confirmation.
You need an official fee confirmation that identifies the course and fee is signed and stamped by the RWTH Language Center.
How to apply for the RWTH German Language Merit Scholarship
Step 1 — Confirm that your Master's programme is eligible
Check whether your programme appears on the current GLMS list. There are currently nine eligible programmes.
Step 2 — Confirm that your German course qualifies
Your course must:
- be extracurricular
- have been offered by the RWTH Language Center
- not be a repeat of the same level
- be no higher than C1.2
- have been successfully completed with grade 4.0 or better.
Step 3 — Check the correct application window
For a course completed during Summer Semester 2026, apply between: 15 and 30 October 2026.
Step 4 — Obtain your course certificate
Get your official Leistungsnachweis from the RWTH Language Center.
Step 5 — Obtain an official payment confirmation
Make sure your fee confirmation includes the course and amount and is signed and stamped by the RWTH Language Center.
Step 6 — Prepare your Transcript of Records
Use it to demonstrate that your curricular language requirements have been completed.
Step 7 — Add your curricular language certificates
Include certificates for the language courses required within your programme.
Step 8 — Upload the documents through the application portal
The current regulations state that applications must be submitted as PDF files through the online application portal.
Application Deadline
The current application period runs from: 15 October 2026 to 30 October 2026.
RWTH International Academy confirms that the GLMS application period occurs every year from 15–30 April and 15–30 October.
The October round covers courses completed in the preceding summer semester.
What happens after I apply?
The public scholarship information does not provide a detailed 2026 selection or payment timeline.
What is confirmed is that the scholarship amount is determined by the grade achieved in your eligible German course.
If your application meets the conditions:
- grades 1.0–1.7 qualify for full reimbursement
- grades 2.0–4.0 qualify for 50% reimbursement.
Do not assume a specific payment date unless RWTH International Academy communicates it directly.
Planning to study at a German University?
Explore German universities and degree programmes and compare your study options before applying.
.webp%3Fprefix%3Dmedia&w=3840&q=75)