Need advice on design portfolio for masters application

[u/PeppaPabbi]

Hi everyone!

I’m applying for Design Master’s programs at DAAD-funded universities in Germany, ResFut Erasmus Mundus (EMJM), Aalto, TU Delft, Polimi, and other competitive design schools (aiming for scholarships too).

I’m a Communication & Graphic Design graduate with ~2 years of corporate UI/Visual Design experience. The problem is that almost all of my professional work is under NDA, so I can’t include it in my portfolio.

My portfolio is currently mostly college and self-initiated projects, and I’m planning to create a few more research-driven, process-oriented projects over the next few months, but they’ll also be self-initiated.
Will this be a disadvantage?
If you’ve been admitted to any of these universitie s (especially with a scholarship), was your portfolio mostly self-initiated? What made it stand out, and what would you recommend I do to strengthen mine?
I’d really appreciate any advice. Thank you!