DAAD, Germany’s national academic exchange organisation, funds one of the most accessible routes into fully funded Master’s study in Germany for professionals from developing countries, including Nigeria, through its EPOS programme, short for development-related postgraduate courses. Unlike some global scholarships that target fresh graduates, EPOS is specifically built around working professionals who already have relevant experience behind them.
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Who EPOS is looking for
Because EPOS specifically funds development related study for working professionals, its criteria look quite different from a typical fresh graduate scholarship, and each point below is worth checking carefully against your own documents and plans before you move any further:
- You generally need at least two years of relevant professional experience after completing your first degree, since EPOS is designed for applicants already working in a field related to development.
- You need a Bachelor’s degree relevant to your intended Master’s field, with results strong enough to meet your chosen programme’s specific academic threshold.
- English or German language proficiency is required depending on the specific programme’s language of instruction, so confirm this before applying.
- You must be from an eligible developing country. Nigeria is generally included among DAAD’s eligible countries for development-related scholarships, though always confirm this against the specific programme’s own published eligibility list.
Finding the right programme
DAAD does not run a single standard EPOS application. Instead, it funds a range of specific Master’s programmes across different German universities, each with its own field of study, language of instruction, and precise deadline. Use the DAAD scholarship database at daad.de to search specifically for development-related postgraduate courses, filtering by your field and the country you are applying from, rather than assuming one generic EPOS deadline applies across every programme.
Documents to prepare
While each specific programme sets its own exact list, prepare these as a general starting point, so read through each item below slowly and tick off the ones that already apply to your own situation:
- Your Bachelor’s degree certificate and full transcripts.
- Evidence of your relevant professional experience, such as employment letters or a detailed CV.
- A letter of motivation, explaining your specific reasons for choosing your field and how it connects to development work in your home country.
- Language proficiency evidence, whether English or German, depending on your chosen programme.
- Reference letters, typically from academic or professional referees who know your work well.
- A valid passport.
How to apply, step by step
Follow these steps in order, since skipping one can delay or derail your application, and working through the list below in order will save you from the most common and avoidable setbacks:
- Search the DAAD scholarship database for development-related postgraduate courses matching your field of study.
- Shortlist specific programmes based on their language of instruction, location, and exact eligibility requirements, since these details vary considerably between programmes even within the same EPOS category.
- Confirm the specific application deadline for your shortlisted programme directly on its own page, since deadlines are set individually rather than following one universal date across all EPOS courses.
- Prepare and submit your application exactly as the specific programme instructs, often through the German university’s own application system or through DAAD’s own portal, depending on the course.
- Keep copies of everything you submit and any confirmation emails, in case you need to follow up on your application status later.
What the scholarship typically covers
EPOS scholarships have historically covered tuition fees, a monthly stipend to cover living costs, health insurance, and in some cases travel costs. Confirm the specific benefits for your shortlisted programme directly through its own page, since exact coverage, including stipend amounts, can be adjusted between programmes and funding cycles.
Why professional experience matters so much here
Because EPOS specifically targets applicants who already have real work experience in a development related field, your application should clearly connect your past work to your intended studies, and then back to how you plan to apply what you learn once you return home. A strong EPOS application reads less like a fresh graduate’s personal statement and more like a professional case for why this specific Master’s will meaningfully extend your existing career.
Common mistakes to avoid
A number of applicants lose otherwise strong chances to simple, avoidable errors, and each point below is worth checking carefully against your own documents and plans before you move any further:
- Assuming one single EPOS deadline applies across every German university and programme, when each sets its own.
- Applying without the minimum relevant professional experience most EPOS programmes require.
- Writing a generic motivation letter that does not clearly connect your work history to your chosen field of study.
- Missing the specific language proficiency requirement for your chosen programme, whether English or German.
Conclusion
DAAD’s EPOS programme rewards Nigerian professionals who treat their work experience as a genuine asset, not just a line on a form, and who research their specific chosen programme’s exact requirements and deadline rather than assuming one general EPOS date applies everywhere. Search the DAAD scholarship database at daad.de for your field, confirm your shortlisted programme’s specific requirements and deadline, and build your application around how your experience connects to your intended studies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about this guide
1Is DAAD’s EPOS programme only for recent graduates?
No, EPOS specifically targets professionals who already have relevant work experience, generally at least two years, after their first degree.
2Is there one single deadline for all EPOS scholarships?
No, each specific Master’s programme sets its own application deadline, so confirm the exact date for your shortlisted programme rather than relying on a general date.
3Do I need to speak German to apply?
Not necessarily, since some EPOS programmes are taught fully in English, though your chosen programme’s specific language of instruction determines what proficiency you actually need.
4Is Nigeria eligible for DAAD development-related scholarships?
Nigeria is generally included among DAAD’s eligible developing countries, though always confirm this against your specific shortlisted programme’s own published eligibility list.
5What does the scholarship typically cover?
Historically, tuition fees, a monthly stipend, health insurance, and in some cases travel costs, though exact benefits depend on the specific programme, so confirm directly on its own page.
6Can I apply for more than one DAAD programme in the same cycle?
Generally yes, since each programme runs its own independent admissions and scholarship process, though you must meet each one’s specific deadline and document requirements separately.
7Does DAAD require a specific IELTS or TOEFL score?
This depends entirely on your chosen programme’s own language requirement, so confirm the exact minimum score your specific shortlisted course requires rather than assuming one standard figure applies across all EPOS programmes.
8Will I need a visa interview as part of the DAAD process?
Once accepted, you will need to apply for a German student visa separately through the German Embassy, which is a distinct process from your DAAD scholarship application itself.
9Can I apply for EPOS if my professional experience is in a different field from my intended Master’s?
Confirm this directly with your shortlisted programme, since EPOS generally expects your prior work experience to connect meaningfully to your chosen field of study.
10Does DAAD provide any support with German visa costs?
Visa application costs are generally the applicant’s own responsibility, separate from the scholarship’s tuition and stipend coverage, so budget for this expense independently.
11Can I apply to EPOS while still completing my current job’s notice period?
Yes, many applicants apply while still employed, since the two year experience requirement looks at your work history to date rather than requiring you to have already left your job.
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