BIDS Scholarship 2026 at TU Dresden | Eligibility & How to Apply

The BIDS (Bachelor’s International Degree Scholarships) programme at TU Dresden is a fully funded scholarship initiative supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). It is designed to bring talented graduates of German schools abroad to one of Germany’s most prestigious universities for undergraduate studies. TU Dresden holds the distinguished title of University of Excellence and consistently ranks among the top German universities internationally, making this an opportunity well worth pursuing.

This scholarship is specifically targeted at graduates of German schools located in select European countries. If you completed your secondary education at a German school abroad (DAS, DSD, or DPS school) and are ready to begin undergraduate studies, this programme offers monthly financial support during your first year at TU Dresden. It is a meaningful bridge between your school years and your university journey in Germany.

This post will walk you through everything you need to know about the BIDS scholarship, including eligibility requirements, eligible countries, benefits, required documents, and a clear step-by-step guide on how to apply before the June 2026 deadline.

Scholarship Overview

Eligibility

To be considered for the BIDS scholarship at TU Dresden, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

Citizenship:

• Applicants with German citizenship are NOT eligible for this scholarship.
• You must be a national of one of the five eligible countries listed below.

Secondary School Qualification:

• You must hold one of the following leaving certificates: International Baccalaureate (IB), German International Abitur (GIB), German Abitur, or a secondary school-leaving certificate that qualifies for direct university entrance in Germany.
• Your qualification must be recognised according to the DAAD admission database and the evaluation proposals of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Lander in Germany.

Academic Performance:

• Your average final grade (Abitur grade) must be at least 2.5 on the German grading scale.

Degree Programme:

• You must apply for an undergraduate degree programme (Bachelor’s, Diplom, or State Examination) at TU Dresden.
• STEM disciplines with open admission are preferred, but applications for other degree programmes are not excluded from funding.

School Background:

• You must be a graduate of a German school abroad, specifically a DAS (Deutsche Auslandsschule), DSD (Deutsches Sprachdiplom) school, or DPS (Deutschsprachige Privatschule).

Language Requirements:

• Proof of German language proficiency is required. 

Other Notes:

• TU Dresden welcomes applications regardless of gender, ethnic or social background, family educational background, or health impairments. Information in the motivation letter about these characteristics will be considered during selection.

Eligible Countries

This scholarship is open to graduates of German schools abroad in the following five countries:

Europe:

• Bulgaria
• Czech Republic
• Poland
• Romania
• Slovakia

Eligible Fields of Study

The BIDS scholarship prioritises STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines with open admission at TU Dresden. However, students applying for other degree programmes at TU Dresden are not automatically excluded from funding consideration.

TU Dresden offers 119 degree programmes across the following schools:

• Engineering Sciences
• Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Science
• Medicine

If you are unsure whether your chosen programme qualifies, contact the BIDS team directly before applying (contact details provided at the end of this post).

Benefits

The BIDS scholarship provides the following financial support:

Monthly Stipend:

• 450 euros per month for 12 consecutive months, covering October 2026 to September 2027.
• This is intended to support living costs during the first year of studies.

Total Value:

• The total scholarship value is 5,400 euros for the academic year.

Note on Additional Costs:

• The scholarship does not specifically mention coverage for tuition fees, travel, health insurance, or visa costs. These details are 

Required Documents

Prepare the following documents before submitting your application:

1. Completed application form for the DAAD BIDS scholarship 2026/2027
2. Letter of motivation (signed and dated), explaining your reasons for choosing TU Dresden and your career goals
3. Secondary school diploma with an overview of all subjects and grades (this can be submitted by 15 July 2026 if not yet available at time of application)
4. Proof of German language proficiency
5. Proof of admission and enrolment at TU Dresden for the 2026/27 winter semester (this can be submitted by 31 August 2026 if not yet available)

All documents must be submitted as PDF files in a single email, with a maximum total file size of 10 MB.

How to Apply

Follow these steps carefully to complete both your scholarship application and your application to study at TU Dresden:

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility. Check that you graduated from a DAS, DSD, or DPS school in one of the five eligible countries, hold an eligible leaving certificate, and have a grade average of at least 2.5.

Step 2: Choose your degree programme at TU Dresden. Visit the TU Dresden website and select one or more undergraduate programmes you wish to apply for. Prioritise open-admission STEM programmes if possible, but apply for any programme that genuinely interests you.

Step 3: Apply to study at TU Dresden. You must submit your study application separately from the scholarship application.

• If you hold a standard secondary school-leaving certificate, submit your application through uni-assist (the international student application service). Note that uni-assist charges a service fee.
• If you hold a German International Abitur, apply directly through TU Dresden’s online application portal (SELMA).

Step 4: Submit your TU Dresden study application on time. The application period for international applicants via uni-assist runs from 1 April 2026 to 15 July 2026 (or 15 September 2026 for EU citizens in admission-free programmes). For Bildungsinlander (German International Abitur holders), admission-restricted programmes close 15 July 2026, and admission-free programmes close 15 September 2026.

Step 5: Begin preparing your BIDS scholarship application documents. Start with your letter of motivation. Be specific about why you want to study at TU Dresden, what career path you are pursuing, and how this scholarship will support you.

Step 6: Gather all required documents. Collect your school diploma, grade transcripts, and proof of German language proficiency. If your diploma is not yet available, you have until 15 July 2026 to submit it.

Step 7: Compile all documents into PDF format. Ensure the total file size does not exceed 10 MB. Name your files clearly so they are easy to identify.

Step 8: Submit your scholarship application by email. Send all documents to: stipendien.international@tu-dresden.de. The scholarship application deadline is 15 June 2026. Do not wait until the last day.

Step 9: Await confirmation and follow up. After submitting, wait for acknowledgement from TU Dresden’s International Office. If you do not hear back within a reasonable time, follow up politely.

Step 10: Submit outstanding documents by their respective deadlines. Your school diploma can follow by 15 July 2026, and your proof of TU Dresden admission can follow by 31 August 2026.

Key Dates and Timeline

Application Deadline

The BIDS scholarship application deadline is 15 June 2026.

Applications submitted after this deadline will NOT be accepted.

Selection Criteria

The BIDS scholarship committee considers the following when selecting recipients:

1. Academic Performance: Your final grade average is a key factor. A grade of 2.5 or better is the minimum requirement, but stronger academic results will strengthen your application.
2. Quality of Motivation Letter: The committee looks for a clear, genuine explanation of why you want to study at TU Dresden specifically, what career goals you are working towards, and how your education connects to those goals.
3. Career Goals and Direction: Applicants who can articulate a clear professional path and demonstrate how their chosen degree programme connects to that path are viewed more favourably.
4. Personal Background and Circumstances: TU Dresden explicitly states that characteristics such as gender, ethnic and social background, family educational background, and health impairments may be taken into account positively during selection. Mentioning relevant personal circumstances in your motivation letter is encouraged.
5. Chosen Field of Study: STEM disciplines with open admission are described as preferred, which suggests applicants in these fields may have a slight advantage, though all degree programmes are considered.

Important Tips

1. Apply for multiple programmes at TU Dresden. The official guidance recommends submitting applications for more than one programme through uni-assist. If you are not admitted to your first choice, a second or third choice keeps your options open, and your scholarship eligibility remains intact.
2. Start your motivation letter early. This is one of the most important documents in your application. Give yourself at least two to three weeks to draft, revise, and refine it before the 15 June 2026 deadline.
3. Do not wait for your school diploma before applying. The rules allow you to submit your diploma separately by 15 July 2026. Submit your scholarship application on time and follow up with supporting documents later.
4. Use German in your motivation letter if your proficiency is strong. Since German language proficiency is a requirement, demonstrating it in your written communication can reinforce your application. Confirm the expected language of the letter with the BIDS team first.
5. Contact the BIDS team before the deadline if you have any doubts. TU Dresden’s International Office offers advice and assistance specifically for BIDS applicants. Use this resource. A quick email can save you from a costly mistake.
6. Keep file sizes under 10 MB. This is a hard technical requirement. Compress your PDFs if necessary before sending. Use a free PDF compression tool to reduce size without losing quality.
7. Track your two separate applications carefully. You are submitting one application for your study place (via uni-assist or SELMA) and one for the scholarship (via email). Keep records of both submissions and their respective deadlines.
8. Check the DAAD admission database early. Your school-leaving certificate must meet the German recognition criteria. Verify your qualification is eligible before investing time in the application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Need Personal Guidance to Study or Work Abroad?

You can now book for a personal guidance for your scholarship applications, visa requirements, or if you’re financially ready to study or work abroad and just need someone to walk you through the process.

Book Consultation

- SPONSORED ADVERT -