DAAD EPOS SEPT MBA 2026 in SME Development at Leipzig University

If you are an aspiring leader committed to strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in your home country, the DAAD EPOS SEPT MBA 2026 is a prestigious, fully funded gateway. This program, offered by Leipzig University, allows you to combine advanced business training with development-oriented practice. Applications open 1 August 2025 and close 1 October 2025.

🎓 Scholarship Summary

• Location: Leipzig, Germany

• Sponsor: Leipzig University, under the DAAD EPOS (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses) scheme

• Level of Study: Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Small Enterprise Promotion & Training (SEPT) 

• Target Group: Professionals from developing or newly industrialized countries with relevant work experience

• Focus: SME development, entrepreneurship, business promotion, innovation in SMEs, internationalization, sustainable marketing, value chain, etc.

• Value & Coverage: Fully funded scholarship including tuition fee waiver, monthly stipend / living allowance, travel costs, health & liability insurance, possibly family allowance, research/study support

• Duration: 4 semesters (two years) / 120 ECTS

• Application Deadline: 1 October 2025 for DAAD EPOS applicants

• Start Date: Winter semester, October 2026 (for the 2026 intake)

🧭 Programme Structure & Curriculum

The SEPT MBA is designed as an integrated, practice-oriented program to equip you with:

• Advanced theoretical and practical tools for SME promotion and development in emerging and transition economies

• Skills in entrepreneurial strategy, innovation, value chains, and financial planning for SMEs

• Knowledge of institutional and policy environments, regional development, and business ecosystems

• Capacity to design, assess, and implement SME support programs, projects, or consultative services

The program has been accredited by ZEvA and has received distinction from DAAD’s “Quality Label for the Top 10 International Master Study Programmes.”

Semester-by-Semester Breakdown

Semester 1

• Module 101: Foundations of Economics & Development

• Module 102: Entrepreneurship Management / Business Model Development

• Module 103: Strategies for the Development of SMEs (innovation, value chains, sustainable marketing)

• Field trip to German development / business promotion institutions

Semester 2

• Two elective modules + compulsory Research Methodology & Project Management

• Possible electives: Innovation Management in SMEs, SME Finance, Marketing in SMEs, Leadership & Competence Development

• Internship (minimum six weeks) may count as elective

Semester 3

• Field Research module (data collection, embedding in real SME context)

Semester 4

• Master’s thesis, advanced data analysis, SEPT colloquium, presentation & defense

Additionally, international elements include guest lecturers, projects with institutions in Germany and abroad, internship opportunities in European firms or development bodies, intercultural training.

🎁 Benefits

• Tuition Fees: Full waiver for the entire MBA program (EUR 6,000 total in the fee scheme)

• Living Allowance / Monthly Stipend: helps cover accommodation, meals, and other daily expenses

• Travel / Airfare: round-trip travel to Germany and return

• Health, Accident & Liability Insurance: fully covered during study period

• Family Allowance: for accompanying spouse or children, if applicable

• Research / Study Support: for thesis work, field research, data/printing, etc. (depending on specific allowances)

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be considered, you must satisfy all of the following:

1. Citizenship: Be from a developing or newly industrialized country (as per DAAD criteria)

2. Undergraduate Degree: Must hold a bachelor’s degree (minimum 180 ECTS or equivalent) from a recognized university

3. Work Experience: At least 2 years of relevant professional experience, particularly in SME support, development, training, entrepreneurship roles

4. English Proficiency:

   • TOEFL iBT (minimum ~80) or

   • IELTS Academic (minimum ~6.0)

   • If your undergraduate instruction was fully English, a proficiency letter may be accepted

5. Recency of Degree: The last university degree should generally not be older than 6 years (unless you can justify a further master’s)

6. Other region-specific requirements: e.g., applicants from Nigeria and Cameroon must have their documents certified at German Embassy.

7. Admissible bachelor’s durations: Some countries (e.g. India, China, Vietnam) have additional requirements regarding equivalence and certification (e.g. APS for Chinese/Vietnamese applicants)

📝 Application Procedure

📆 Application Timeline & Modality

• Application period for DAAD EPOS track: 1 August 2025 to 1 October 2025

• Application portal: Applications must be submitted via the SEPT / Leipzig University online application platform. Include DAAD form & checklist when applying for the EPOS track.

• For self-financed applicants: alternate deadline (e.g. 15 March) applies.

• Hard copies / original documents will only be required from shortlisted candidates; do not send original documents with first application.

• Translations & certified copies: All documents not originally in English or German must be translated by sworn translators and submitted as certified copies.

🗂️ Required Documents (PDF / certified)

• Motivation Letter (max. 2 pages, signed, stating why you qualify)

• CV in Europass format, signed

• Certified original or certified copies of your school-leaving certificate (if applicable)

• Degree certificates and academic transcripts, with grading scheme explanation

• Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, or English medium letter)

• Work experience certificates on official letterhead (minimum 2 years), with date, signature, stamp

• Letter of recommendation from current or former employer on letterhead (signed and stamped)

• DAAD EPOS application form & checklist (signed)

• If applying for another scholarship concurrently: a confirmation or status letter of that application

💡 Tips & Extra Details

• The competition is intense — many applicants across developing nations apply. Ensure your application is clean, coherent, compelling, and error-free.

• In your motivation letter, connect your past experience to your future goals and how SEPT MBA helps you contribute to SME development in your country.

• Use real examples or evidence of impact where possible (projects, roles, challenges you addressed).

• Early preparation is key, especially securing work certificates, certified translations, and recommendation letters.

• For applicants from Nigeria or certain African countries: check whether additional embassy certification is required. (As noted for Nigeria and Cameroon in the SEPT requirements)

• Monitor the official Leipzig SEPT / DAAD pages to ensure you meet all updated requirements (e.g. English test standards).

• If shortlisted, prepare well for any subsequent interviews or assessments.

• Don’t send original academic documents in the first round — only after being shortlisted.

🔗 Official Website

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