The DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses programme, usually called EPOS, is a German scholarship for people who already work in a development-related field and want a postgraduate degree that feeds back into that work. It is run by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and funds study on a fixed list of Master's courses, with some doctoral options, at selected German universities. You can read the full scholarship details on our scholarship page before working through this guide.
EPOS is a poor fit for fresh graduates. The programme asks for professional experience after your first degree and expects you to return home afterwards, so it suits a working engineer, economist, planner, agricultural officer, public health worker or teacher who can explain how the degree connects to a problem in their own country. If you want a general Master's in Germany with no work history behind it, look at other options.
EPOS in one table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Provider | DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) |
| Funding | Fully funded |
| Study level | Master's (most courses) and PhD (some courses) |
| Country | Germany |
| Deadline | Varies by course, typically between August and October for the following academic year |
| Where you apply | Directly to the university running the course |
| Official site | DAAD EPOS page |
A course list, not an open scholarship
This is the part most applicants miss. EPOS does not fund any degree you choose in Germany. DAAD keeps a list of development-oriented postgraduate courses at universities it has vetted, and the scholarship is attached to those courses. You pick a course from the list, apply to that university, and the university decides whom to nominate to DAAD.
The fields covered are broad: economic sciences, development cooperation, engineering and related sciences, mathematics, regional and urban planning, agricultural and forest sciences, natural and environmental sciences, medicine and public health, social sciences, education and law, and media studies. What ties them together is the development angle. A course in this programme is designed around challenges faced by developing and emerging countries, so your application needs to speak that language too.
What the 934 EUR and 1,200 EUR stipends sit alongside
The monthly stipend is 934 EUR for Master's students and 1,200 EUR for PhD students. Around that, the scholarship includes:
- payments towards health insurance coverage
- an appropriate travel allowance, unless your travel is already paid by your home country or another source
- a study and research grant
- a rent subsidy or family allowance, but only under certain circumstances
- a mandatory German language course before your studies begin
The programme is described as fully funded and as covering living costs and tuition. The itemised benefits above do not list tuition as a separate line, so check fee arrangements for your specific course on the official DAAD page or with the university before you assume there is nothing to pay. Also treat the rent subsidy and family allowance as conditional. Do not build a plan to bring your family on the expectation that the allowance will be paid; read the current DAAD terms first.
Eligibility, and the nationality question for Pakistani applicants
EPOS is restricted to citizens of countries on the DAC list of ODA recipients. It is not open to all nationalities. Before you spend time on applications, check the current DAC list and the official EPOS page to confirm your nationality qualifies. Do this first, because nothing else matters if your country is not covered.
The other requirements are:
- a Bachelor's degree completed with above-average results
- at least two years of professional experience after your first degree
- academic degrees that are normally not older than six years
- proof of English or German proficiency, depending on what your course requires
- a commitment to return to your home country after your studies
Why the two-year work rule shapes your whole application
The work experience requirement is the real filter. The programme targets professionals who have already gained practical experience at home, and your file needs to show that experience with official certificates, not just lines on a CV. A job that has nothing to do with your chosen course will weaken your case even if it technically counts towards the two years. The strongest applicants have worked in the same sector the course addresses.
The six-year degree window
Your degree should normally not be older than six years. Combined with the two-year experience rule, that leaves a fairly specific window: you need enough time in work to qualify, but not so long that your degree ages out. The word "normally" suggests some flexibility, but if you are close to the limit, confirm with the university or DAAD rather than assuming an exception.
Paperwork for an EPOS file
The documents DAAD lists are:
- signed DAAD application form
- hand-signed CV
- hand-signed letter of motivation
- letter of recommendation from your current employer
- certificate of employment
- proof of language skills
- certified copies of academic degrees and transcripts
Note the words "hand-signed". Your CV and motivation letter need a real signature, not a typed name. The employer recommendation has to come from your current employer, which matters if you are between jobs. Universities may add their own requirements on top of this list, so read each course's admission page. For certified copies and attestation of Pakistani degrees, our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide walks through the process, and the documents checklist for international scholarships is useful for organising everything else.
Applying through the university, not DAAD
The process runs through the university you choose:
- Check the current list of EPOS courses on the official DAAD website.
- Select the specific Master's or PhD programme you want.
- Review that university's admission requirements, including language scores.
- Submit your application directly to the university.
- The university reviews applications and nominates candidates to DAAD.
- DAAD sends the final notification of the scholarship award.
You can apply to up to three different courses, but each university needs its own separate application. That means three sets of tailored documents, and three motivation letters that each make sense for that specific course. Sending one generic letter to all three is a common way to waste the extra chances.
When things happen in the EPOS cycle
There is no single deadline. Each course sets its own, and they typically fall between August and October for the following academic year. After submission, the selection stage happens in the winter months, when universities review files and nominate candidates. DAAD then confirms awards in spring.
Because the language course comes before studies start, expect the gap between award and arrival in Germany to be busy. Plan for visa work early. Our guide on student visa rejection reasons covers the problems that most often slow Pakistani students down.
Confirm each course deadline on the university website and the official DAAD portal. Opening dates are listed only as varying, so do not wait for an announcement; start preparing documents months ahead.
Where EPOS applications usually fall short
The selection is highly competitive, and most weak applications fail for predictable reasons.
The first is a motivation letter that talks about Germany, the university's reputation, or personal ambition, without connecting past work to future development goals. DAAD's own advice is to link your professional experience clearly to what you plan to do afterwards. Name the problem you work on, what you have done about it so far, and what the course will let you do once you return.
The second is sending documents to the DAAD head office. Applications go to the university. Sending them to DAAD directly means nobody on the selection side sees them.
The third is assuming one language requirement fits all courses. They vary by university, and some courses need German while many are taught in English. Check each one.
The fourth is leaving everything to the deadline week. Universities need time to verify documents, and certified copies take time to arrange in Pakistan. Submit well before the cutoff.
Finally, keep the return commitment in mind. EPOS exists to train people who go back and contribute at home. If your real plan is to settle in Germany, this is the wrong scholarship, and an honest motivation letter will be hard to write.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for more than one EPOS course?
Yes. You can apply to up to three different courses, with a separate application to each university.
Is EPOS open to Pakistani students?
It is limited to citizens of countries on the DAC list of ODA recipients. Check the current list and the official DAAD page to confirm your eligibility before applying.
Do I need to speak German?
Many courses are taught in English, though some may require German. The scholarship includes a German language course before studies start, which is mandatory for most participants and helps with daily life in Germany.
Can I apply straight after my Bachelor's?
No. You need at least two years of professional experience after your first degree, documented with official certificates.
Does EPOS fund PhDs?
Some doctoral opportunities exist, but most courses are at Master's level. PhD students receive a monthly stipend of 1,200 EUR.
Before you start, read the current course list and rules on the official DAAD EPOS website, and keep the EPOS scholarship page handy. For other funding options, see all Germany scholarships.