How George Ofori, a Ghanaian Scholar, Secured a Fully Funded Master’s in Small Enterprise Promotion and Training at Leipzig University, Germany Through the DAAD EPOS Scholarship (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses)

My name is George Ofori, and I am a British-born Ghanaian who grew up and received my education in Ghana before moving to Germany for my master’s degree.

My academic background is in Psychology and Linguistics, but my professional journey gradually led me into project management and international development. I am a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP).

Over the years, I have worked with development organizations including GIZ and the British Council, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through training, mentoring, incubation, and other business development interventions. I have also worked as a consultant with the International Trade Centre (ITC), particularly on the SheTrades programme, supporting women-led businesses to access new markets and grow their businesses.

This experience shaped my decision to pursue the MBA in Small Enterprise Promotion and Training (SEPT) at Leipzig University in Germany. The programme strongly aligned with the career I had already built around SME development and provided an opportunity to deepen my knowledge of how businesses can be supported to grow, expand, and create employment.

DAAD EPOS Scholarship Details

I received the DAAD EPOS Scholarship (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses) to pursue my MBA at Leipzig University.

The scholarship provided significant support for my studies in Germany, including a monthly stipend towards living expenses and travel support to Germany. Beyond the financial support, being a DAAD scholar also provided access to a wider network of scholars, alumni and professionals.

The DAAD EPOS Scholarship 2026 offers fully funded support for master’s and PhD studies in Germany, providing €992/month for graduates and €1,300–€1,400/month for doctoral candidates beginning February 2026, with deadlines varying by course, mostly between August and October 2025.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

The DAAD EPOS Scholarship was the scholarship through which I pursued my MBA at Leipzig University.

Educational Background

Before pursuing my MBA, I completed my undergraduate studies in Ghana, majoring in Psychology with Linguistics as my minor. I graduated with First-Class honours, with a GPA of approximately 3.71/4.0, and, to the best of my recollection, finished within approximately the top 3% of my class.

Professionally, I also obtained the Project Management Professional (PMP) and PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certifications.

Although Psychology and Linguistics may initially appear quite different from an MBA focused on enterprise development, my undergraduate education gave me a strong understanding of human behaviour and working with people.

Project management subsequently equipped me with practical skills in planning, implementation, resource and cost management, procurement and stakeholder management. Through my work, I applied these skills to projects supporting SMEs. Together, these academic and professional experiences provided a strong foundation for the MBA.

How Did You Find the Programme and DAAD EPOS Scholarship?

My journey to the DAAD scholarship was not straightforward.

After my undergraduate degree, I initially thought I would pursue a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology or Criminology and eventually perhaps a PhD. For approximately three years, I applied to programmes, particularly in the UK. I received admission offers on several occasions, but I did not secure the funding I needed to pursue them.

During those years, however, my professional career was changing. I had moved into project management and was increasingly working with SMEs. This gradually changed the direction I wanted my career to take.

Then, in what was quite a random moment, I was going through WhatsApp and saw someone’s status sharing information about DAAD scholarship opportunities. I explored the opportunities and discovered the SEPT MBA at Leipzig University.

I read about the programme and immediately saw how closely it aligned with the work I was already doing and the direction I wanted my career to take. Until then, I had mainly considered studying in countries such as the UK, the US, or Canada. Germany had not really been part of my plans.

I decided to give it a try, and that decision eventually brought me to Leipzig.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

I did not have to take IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, or GMAT for my application.

Applicants should, however, always check the current admission requirements for their specific programme and application year, as requirements can change.

One word guided my application: alignment.

I wanted whoever reviewed my CV and motivation statement to quickly understand the connection between what I had done in the past, what I was doing at the time, why I needed the SEPT MBA, and what I intended to do afterwards.

I was already working with SMEs and was passionate about supporting businesses to grow. SEPT was specifically focused on small enterprise promotion and development. I therefore made this connection very clear throughout my application.

My motivation was essentially: I am already supporting SMEs. This MBA will deepen my technical knowledge and strengthen my ability to support them, and I intend to use that knowledge to create even greater impact afterwards.

I believe applicants should not expect the selection committee to make these connections for them. Your CV and motivation statement should tell a coherent story.

How is Your Experience at Leipzig University?

My experience at Leipzig University was very positive.

One of the highlights was the international nature of my cohort. We were approximately 15–16 students from different parts of the world, with classmates from countries including Ethiopia, Nigeria, Colombia, Mexico, Burundi, the Philippines, Thailand etc.

That diversity was an education in itself. You could learn from people who had similar professional interests and ambitions but came from completely different economic, social, and cultural contexts.

Academically, I also appreciated how practical the SEPT MBA was. It was not excessively focused on examinations or theory. We worked on practical topics such as developing business plans, financing small businesses, and sustainable development.

For someone already working with SMEs, this practical approach made the programme particularly relevant.

How Do You Rate Leipzig University Academically?

I rate my academic experience highly, particularly because of the practical orientation of the programme.

Rather than simply learning concepts for examinations, we had opportunities to think about how those concepts could be applied to real businesses and development challenges. That made the learning more relevant to my professional career.

How Does Leipzig University Support International Students?

Leipzig University provides different forms of support for international students.

There is an International Office and opportunities such as buddy programmes. International students can also access career-related support, including workshops on developing CVs, applying for jobs, and understanding the German labour market.

There are therefore various resources available, but I would encourage international students to actively seek them out rather than waiting for support to come to them.

Did You Pay Tuition or Semester Fees?

As a DAAD scholarship recipient, I did not personally have to pay tuition fees for my programme, although I did pay the required semester contribution.

Prospective students should check the current fee structure for the SEPT MBA and their individual circumstances, particularly if they are self-funded.

More broadly, Germany has many study opportunities where tuition fees are relatively low or not charged, particularly at public universities, although this varies by university, programme and federal state. Applicants should always research the specific programme they are interested in.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or German?

My MBA was taught entirely in English, which made the academic transition considerably easier.

However, studying in English does not mean that learning German is unnecessary.

Can You Study in Germany Without Speaking German?

Academically, it is possible if you are enrolled in an English-taught programme. But for life outside the classroom, I strongly recommend learning German.

Language helps you integrate into the city, communicate with people, navigate everyday situations, and better understand the culture. It becomes even more important if you intend to remain in Germany and look for employment after graduation.

There may be many opportunities available, but some will require German. Improving your language skills therefore expands the range of opportunities you can pursue.

If possible, start learning German before arriving and continue taking courses while studying.

What Was IT Like Adjusting to Life in Germany?

Winning a scholarship and receiving admission are only the beginning. You also have to prepare yourself for the reality of moving to another country.

Coming from Ghana, I had to adjust to Germany’s weather. I experienced a proper winter for the first time, and it was certainly an adjustment! I also had to adapt to a different culture and learn how various systems worked.

When you move somewhere where you do not initially speak the language, even relatively simple activities can become challenging. Registration, getting around, dealing with administrative processes, and understanding how things work can take time.

It is therefore important to prepare yourself mentally for an adjustment period. Be willing to learn, observe, and adapt to your new environment.

How Important Is Building a Community?

Very important.

One thing that helped me was connecting with people who had already gone through some of the experiences I was encountering. Communities of Ghanaians, Nigerians, and other international residents could provide practical advice because someone had often already dealt with the same process or challenge.

Wherever you move, actively look for communities that can support you. If you are Ghanaian, for example, find the Ghanaian community. The same applies to students from other countries.

At the same time, don’t rely entirely on one person’s advice. Speak to different people, verify important information and ultimately make your own informed decisions.

And don’t limit yourself to people from your home country. Attend events, meet people from different backgrounds and intentionally expand your social and professional network.

What Did You Pursue After the Scholarship?

After completing my MBA, my goal has been to continue developing my career in consulting and international development.

I remain particularly interested in supporting SMEs and women-led businesses to access new markets, expand their customer base, grow, and ultimately create more employment opportunities.

I have continued exploring consulting work with organizations such as the International Trade Centre and other development organizations. In the longer term, I want to deepen my work in business consulting and enterprise development and support more businesses to grow sustainably.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe one of the strongest aspects of my application was the alignment between my past, present, and future.

My past demonstrated that I had already built experience supporting SMEs. At the time of applying, I was actively working in SME development. And my future plans involved continuing to support SMEs and businesses to grow.

The SEPT MBA sat naturally between those three points.

This is something I would strongly encourage applicants to think about. Ask yourself:

What have I done in the past? What am I doing now? Where do I want to go? And why is this particular programme necessary to get me there?

Your CV and motivation statement should make those answers clear relatively quickly.

Scholarship programmes may receive hundreds of applications, so don’t make the reviewer struggle to understand your story.

If you have genuine questions about a programme or application process, I also recommend contacting the programme coordinators. A professional email can help clarify information and enable you to prepare a stronger application.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

Be persistent.

I spent approximately three years applying for different opportunities without securing the funding I needed. The successful opportunity eventually came. Rejection does not necessarily mean you should stop applying.

Second, cast your net wider. I initially concentrated heavily on the UK, US and Canada.

There are excellent opportunities elsewhere, including Germany and other European countries. Don’t restrict yourself simply because you have always imagined studying in a particular country.

Third, look for programmes that genuinely align with your career path. Don’t apply only because a scholarship is available. Think about how the programme connects your experience, current work, and future ambitions.

Fourth, invest time in your application documents. Learn how to write a concise and effective motivation statement and how to structure your CV. There are useful resources and videos online that can help you understand what makes these documents effective.

Fifth, get someone to review your application. Ideally, speak to someone who has previously received a scholarship or understands competitive applications. A second pair of experienced eyes can identify weaknesses you may not notice yourself.

Sixth, network with current and former scholars. LinkedIn makes it relatively easy to find people who have pursued the programme or scholarship you are interested in. Reach out respectfully, ask thoughtful questions, and learn from their experiences.

Finally, if you are moving to a country where you don’t speak the local language, start learning it early. Learn about the culture as well. It will make your transition easier and may significantly expand your opportunities after graduation.

Final Reflection

My scholarship journey did not follow the path I originally imagined.

I initially thought I would continue in Psychology, perhaps pursue Forensic Psychology and eventually a PhD. Instead, my professional experiences introduced me to project management and SME development. Several years of unsuccessful attempts to secure funding eventually led me to an opportunity I discovered almost randomly through someone’s WhatsApp status.

That opportunity took me from Ghana to Germany, where I spent two years studying alongside people from around the world, adapting to a new culture and climate, learning a new language, and strengthening the professional direction I had gradually developed.

If there is one lesson I would leave with prospective scholarship applicants, it is this: be persistent, but also be open to changing direction.

Sometimes the opportunity that works out is not the one you originally planned for. Look widely, understand where your career is taking you, and find opportunities that genuinely connect your past, present, and future.

And when the opportunity finally comes, make the most of more than just the classroom.

Study hard, build relationships, learn the culture, develop your network, and create a community around yourself. The scholarship can give you an education, but the entire experience can give you much more.