How a Pakistani Scholar Secured the Fully Funded Private Scholarship to Study Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Copenhagen Business School

Hi, I’m Mishal, and I’m originally from Pakistan. Following my interest in entrepreneurship and innovation, I pursued my Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from NUST. Throughout my life, I have always believed in creating solutions for real-world problems, and my journey has been guided by a passion for social impact and a desire to bring change through business. And perhaps all of this is how I ended up pursuing a master’s degree in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Copenhagen Business School (CBS), one of Europe’s leading business institutions.

My interest in entrepreneurship sparked during my undergraduate studies when I studied a course on the subject. It opened my eyes to how businesses can solve systemic issues and empower communities. That initial spark turned into a calling. I wanted to explore business from a global lens, especially through the innovation-driven lens of Europe. Pursuing a degree in Innovation and Entrepreneurship was a natural next step for me, and CBS offered the perfect environment to build on this ambition

Copenhagen Business School Scholarship Details

I was awarded a full private scholarship from Copenhagen Business School in 2019, making me one of the few recipients from Pakistan. This scholarship covered my full tuition, monthly living expenses, and an additional stipend. I also received a 70% scholarship from the University of Jyväskylä in Finland, but I chose CBS because of its global reputation; it consistently ranks among the top business schools in Europe.

Although I applied to several institutions in the Netherlands and the UK, CBS stood out for its strong academic program and the holistic support it provided through the scholarship.

Educational Background

I completed my Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from NUST, maintaining a GPA of around 3.5 at the time of my scholarship application. What strengthened my application was not just academics but my extracurricular involvement. I led several social initiatives, including:

• “Take a Child for Food” – a campaign to provide food for underprivileged children.
• “Her Story” – a training and empowerment initiative for domestic workers.
• A final-year thesis project focused on women-led food service ventures.

These experiences not only helped shape my leadership and project management skills but also gave depth to my motivation letter. For students in their 2nd or 3rd year, I highly recommend engaging in such meaningful activities; they really do help your story.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Copenhagen Business School?

My preparation involved a few months of intense research and a lot of writing. I spent weeks crafting and refining my motivation letter, which was reviewed by multiple professors. I also secured strong recommendation letters from 2-3 faculty members who knew me well. When it came to language tests, I took the IELTS twice, as my first score didn’t meet CBS’s criteria, but I improved and eventually scored 7.5, which made me eligible.

My university and scholarship search was entirely manual; I browsed individual university websites across Europe and reviewed their funding opportunities. This was before tools like ChatGPT or advanced AI search methods existed. Today, I’d recommend using AI tools to sharpen your research and save time

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Copenhagen Business School Private Scholarship?

Beyond the general university applications, I took the scholarship application as a separate task. I aligned my motivation letter to highlight not only my academic achievements but also my long-term purpose, i.e, how I wanted to use my education to impact communities in Pakistan and beyond. I made sure that my application reflected a genuine desire to give back, combined with a proven track record of taking initiatives and solving problems through entrepreneurial thinking

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe it was the authenticity and purpose behind my application. My motivation wasn’t driven by prestige alone; I had a clear mission. I wrote about wanting to tackle inequality, use entrepreneurship as a tool for change, and build sustainable ventures that could benefit underserved communities. That clarity, coupled with real-life actions to back my words, made my application strong

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

I would research accommodation and relocation logistics much earlier. Moving to Copenhagen came with its own set of challenges, especially around rent, city registration, and housing, which added some stress during my early days in Denmark.

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

If I were to offer one piece of advice to future scholarship applicants, it would be to start early and stay intentional throughout the process. Begin researching opportunities in your second or third year of university, and take part in meaningful extracurricular activities that align with your values; they add real depth to your application. When it comes to writing your motivation letter, be genuine and clear about your purpose; let your passion and long-term vision shine through. Don’t hesitate to retake standardized tests like IELTS or GRE if needed; your future is worth that extra effort. Leverage AI tools to streamline your research, but ensure your choices reflect both your academic and personal goals. Apply widely, but with purpose, and remember that your story, if told with honesty, clarity, and conviction, can truly set you apart. Believe in your journey and stay committed; opportunities will come when you align your efforts with your aspirations.