EPOS is short for “Entwicklungsbezogene Postgraduierten Studiengänge” (development-related postgraduate courses). Since 1987 the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) funds a number of scholarships for students from developing countries who would like to study in Germany in development-related subjects. For more information on the overall programme, please click here.
The master’s degree programme “Sustainable Development Management” is part of EPOS and can therefore award a number of scholarships to students from developing countries every year.
Selection criteria and procedures for DAAD scholarship recipients ensure that candidates:
are from developing countries, click here for the list of eligible countries
have a first qualifying degree in either social sciences, economics or industrial engineering (or an interdisciplinary programme covering these fields) with an excellent grade point average
comprise of at least two years of relevant professional experience
are fluent in both written and spoken English
have proven, development-related motivation and can be expected to make full use of their scholarship and education by taking on social responsibility later in their careers, acting as agents of change who stimulate and support development in their personal and professional surroundings
Women and candidates from disadvantaged groups who meet the required academic and professional standards and show proven commitment to development-related issues are especially targeted for programme admission
The Typical Scholarship Holder:
Works either for a public authority or a state or private company in a developing country and, as such, is engaged in the planning and execution of directives and projects with emphasis on development policies having a bearing on technological, economic or social areas.
Holds a Bachelor’s degree (normally four years) in a related subject.
Has completed an academic degree with far above average results (upper third) and has at least two years of related professional experience after the first degree (bachelor).
His/her academic degrees should normally not be more than six years old
Application process
The application period for the EPOS scholarships lasts every year from September 1st to October 1st. The scholarship application process is separate from the general application process. This means that if your scholarship application is rejected and you want to enroll in the degree program without scholarship, you must apply again during one of the regular application periods (through uni-assist; deadlines January 15th/July 15th), see applications and admission. The scholarship nominations are expected to be communicated until the end of January.
If you have questions concerning the conversion of your grade, please check the anabin database (only available in German).
Applications must be submitted to uni-assist. Please do not send applications to the university administration or to DAAD. Applications that are not submitted via uni-assist will not be considered. The uni-assist portal can be accessed via the following link: https://ww2.uni-assist.de/online/?lang=en
You can register anytime. However, submitting applications for the scholarship programme is only possible from September 1st to October 1st. Uni-assist asks for an administrative fee, which must be covered by the applicant. Please make sure to make the payment before the deadline approaches. Before and after the application phase, you will not be able to submit documents. There is no need to submit hardcopies; please upload all required documents as scans.
Next application phase: September 1st 2021 to October 1st 2021.
Required Documents for a DAAD scholarship application
(in the following order):
HSRW application form, you can download the form here
DAAD application form https://www.daad.de/medien/deutschland/stipendien/formulare/forschungsstipendium_en.pdf
Hand-signed CV (please use the sample europass form http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/)
Hand-signed letter of motivation (with reference to current occupation, two pages maximum)
Academic letter/s of recommendation from your university; the letter must have a signature and official stamp and must be of recent date (not in a sealed envelope)
Professional letter/s of recommendation from your employer; the letter must have a signature and official stamp and must be of recent date (not in a sealed envelope)
Certificate(s) of employment from the employer in the home country and if possible, a guarantee of re-employment upon returning home.
Proof of Language Skills
The minimum language level requirement is B2 (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages – CEFR).
Accepted certificates are IELTS and TOEFL
Copies of Academic Degrees
Copies of Academic Transcripts
If available, module handbook
Copy of school leaving certificate
Applicants from the People’s Republic of China and from Vietnam must submit an APS Certificate with their application documents.
