Why people propose such “€2,000 + no IELTS” claims

Before moving into what you should do, let me explain why such claims proliferate:

1. Aspirational marketing: Many scholarship blogs or social media posts exaggerate details to draw clicks.

2. Misunderstanding of TUM’s internal aid: Partial aids or one-time grants are sometimes misrepresented as full living stipends.

3. Misattribution: They might mix together DAAD, research grants, or departmental funds and present them as a single “TUM package.”

4. Outdated opportunities: Some generous opportunities existed in older years and get recycled online without current verification.

So take each claim with skepticism — but also hope, and always verify via official TUM / departmental / DAAD pages.

How to prepare as if this opportunity is real: a strategic roadmap

Whether or not the TUM €2,000/month scholarship exists right now, you can position yourself to win if/when a strong funding opportunity arises. Here’s how:

Step 1: Research & monitoring (ongoing)

• Subscribe to TUM scholarship and financial aid pages.

• Follow engineering departments (mechanical, electronics, computer, civil) at TUM and monitor their news/announcements.

• Track DAAD and German federal/state scholarship portals—they often fund top students at universities like TUM.

• Join mailing lists and student groups (LinkedIn, telegram, etc.) for “TUM scholarships” or “Germany engineering funding.”

Step 2: Academic & project excellence (12+ months in advance)

• Maintain an outstanding GPA in your engineering undergraduate program.

• Undertake research projects, publish or present in engineering conferences.

• Build a standout portfolio: designs, technology projects, papers, coding, simulation work, etc.

• If possible, gain internships or part-time roles in engineering firms or labs.

Step 3: Language & English proof (if you want the “no IELTS” advantage)

• If your past degree was entirely taught in English, request a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate from your university. This may help TUM consider you exempt from IELTS. (Some sources show TUM/other German universities accept such waivers)

• If you don’t have MOI, prepare for IELTS or TOEFL or their equivalents anyway—so you’re ready if needed.

• Consider taking short English certification courses or internal tests that can supplement your application.

Step 4: Department & supervisor targeting

• Identify professors in TUM’s engineering departments whose research aligns with yours.

• Read their recent papers, understand their research areas.

• Reach out with a well-crafted email expressing interest, asking if they might have funding or supervise you.

• If you can secure a supervisor’s support, it strengthens your case tremendously.

Step 5: Application & backup planning

• Apply to TUM’s engineering master’s programs via their official application portal, following deadlines (e.g. May/June for winter intake).

• Simultaneously apply for external scholarships (DAAD, DBU, German federal/state scholarships) as backups.

• Prepare crucial documents: SOP, research proposal, transcripts, letters of recommendation, MOI or English tests.

Step 6: If offered a stipend or funding, negotiate and confirm

• If you get an “offer of funding,” ask for a formal agreement or contract.

• Confirm whether the stipend covers living expenses + tuition (if any)—and whether you may need to top up.

• Verify the payment schedule, conditions (minimum grades, teaching duties, etc.).

• Document all communications.

What a strong application package must contain — and SOP structure

Here’s what your application package must include (especially if aiming for a high-value scholarship):

• Bachelor’s degree certificate and transcripts (engineering)

• Research project(s) or portfolio (reports, designs, papers)

• Letters of Recommendation — ideally 2–3 strong ones from professors or industry mentors

• Statement of Purpose (SOP) or research proposal

• English / German language proof or MOI certificate

• CV / resume

• If applicable, MOI (Medium of Instruction) letter certifying that your prior education was conducted in English

SOP / Research Proposal structure (for engineers aiming high)

1. Introduction / Hook

   • A brief anecdote or project that sparked your passion in engineering.

   • (E.g., “While designing a water filtration prototype in my final year, I saw how engineering intersects with community health…”)

2. Academic & technical background

   • What you studied, key courses, relevant tools (MatLab, AutoCAD, simulation, programming, etc.).

   • Projects, labs, achievements—mention any awards or special projects.

3. Research interest / specialization

   • Clearly state the specific engineering field you want to pursue (mechanical, materials, robotics, renewable energy, etc.).

   • Suggest possible research questions or themes you’d like to explore at TUM.

   • (Optional) Mention a professor whose work resonates with yours, and show how your interests align.

4. Why TUM / Germany

   • Connect TUM’s strengths (labs, research institutes, industrial collaborations) with your goals.

   • Emphasize Germany’s engineering ecosystem, global recognition, and post-study opportunities.

5. Funding justification

   • Explain why you need financial support (stipend, tuition waiver), how you will commit academically.

   • You may reference how the funding would enable your research and relieve financial burden.

6. Impact & career plan

   • Where you will apply your knowledge after graduation—perhaps back in Nigeria, or in African/Asian infrastructure, technology, energy, etc.

   • Be concrete: industries, roles, or institutions you aim for.

7. Closing / reaffirmation

   • Reiterate your commitment, readiness, and enthusiasm.

   • End with a strong, confident closing line.

Key insights & takeaways

• High stipends are rare but possible in some German/European research funding schemes—but for TUM, the published scholarship programs are modest, not grand.

• Language exemptions exist in some specific German universities for students whose previous education was in English—but they are not universal.

• Verify everything via official websites (TUM, engineering departments, DAAD) before investing time or money in any application.

• Build a bold, excellent profile (projects, research, grades) to compete for top funding.

• Applying broadly is safer than betting on one claim. Use TUM as a target, but also apply for DAAD, German state scholarships, and other engineering funding programs.

• Negotiate if you are offered funding. Document the terms and ensure they cover both tuition (if needed) and living costs.

Common mistakes & how to avoid them