Join ISME
We're looking for students who are curious about the Middle East, comfortable working across disciplines, and ready to engage with languages, histories, and cultures in complex ways. If you have some background in Middle Eastern studies (broadly defined), language skills, and strong English proficiency, we want to hear from you.
Application deadlines are posted on the FU Student Services website. Typically end of May for winter semester admission.
Are You Eligible?
You need three things:
1. A bachelor's degree (180 ECTS minimum) with relevant coursework
You can prove achievements equivalent to at least 60 ECTS in courses related to the Middle East—areas like Arabic Studies, Iranian Studies, Islamic Studies, Jewish Studies, Semitic Studies, Turkish/Ottoman Studies, or related fields, also general training in literary studies, linguistics, history, philosophy, anthropology and related fields with a strong focus on cultural studies.
Or you have equivalent qualifications through other education, professional experience, or language study.
Examples of relevant programs the usually fulfil the 60 ECTS requirement: Arabic Language & Literature, Islamic Studies, Jewish Studies, Near Eastern History, Persian Studies, Hebrew Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Mediterranean Studies (North Africa/Levant focus), etc.
2. Language proficiency in a program language (B1 CEFR minimum)
Arabic, Armenian, Hebrew, Kurdish, Ottoman, Persian, Syriac-Aramaic, or Turkish.
3. English proficiency (C1 CEFR)
Unless your bachelor's was taught entirely in English.
Not sure if you qualify? Email us at isme@geschkult.fu-berlin.de with your situation—we can advise before you apply.
When Admission is Competitive
ISME typically has more applicants than spots. When this happens, we use a transparent point system to rank applications fairly. Maximum possible: 150 points.
Here's exactly how it works:
Your Academic Record (up to 60 points)
Based on your bachelor's GPA. Better grades = more points. See the translation of official regulations for the exact conversion table, but essentially: strong academic performance in your bachelor's gives you a solid foundation.
Depth in Middle Eastern Studies (up to 45 points)
Based on how many ECTS you earned in these specific fields or a mix of them or related fields that may be named differently in other universities:
- Arabic Studies
- Iranian Studies
- Islamic Studies
- Jewish Studies
- Ottoman Studies / Turcology
- Semitic Studies
Why this matters: We're looking for depth, not just breadth. 60 ECTS is the minimum to apply, but more shows sustained engagement with the field.
The points scale (from the regulations):
- 60-69 ECTS → 15 points
- 70-79 ECTS → 25 points
- 80-89 ECTS → 35 points
- 90+ ECTS → 45 points
Additional Qualifications (up to 45 points)
This is where work experience, language learning, and other relevant activities count:
Work experience (20 points):
12+ months of relevant work—research institutes, NGOs, international organizations, cultural/educational institutions, translation, anything substantially related to the Middle East or intercultural work.
Documentation needed: employment contracts, reference letters, certificates showing duration and relevance
Continuing education (15 points):
Courses or certificates requiring 40+ hours of study—like intensive language programs from accredited institutions, professional development in relevant fields.
Documentation needed: certificates from the institution
Other relevant qualifications (10 points):
Anything else that demonstrates your aptitude for interdisciplinary Middle Eastern studies—publications, significant volunteer work, additional language certifications, relevant projects.
Documentation needed: whatever proves the qualification
Note: You can earn multiple types of points here—for example, 20 points for work experience + 15 points for a language certificate = 35 points total in this category.
How Selection Actually Works
- We calculate your total points (max 150) based on the three categories above
- We rank all complete applications from highest to lowest score
- We offer admission starting from the top until spots are filled
- Quotas: 80% of spots go through this ranking. 20% are allocated through other legal quotas (hardship cases, specific circumstances). 5% reserved for special quotas defined by Berlin law.
This is formula-based and transparent—not arbitrary. If you're wondering about your chances, add up your points honestly:
- Strong GPA + lots of relevant coursework + work experience = very competitive
- Minimum requirements met but nothing extra = you're in the pool, but it depends on the applicant cohort that year
Applying Without Your Final Degree Yet
You can apply if you're finishing your bachelor's soon, as long as:
- At least 2/3 of your coursework is complete and graded and a preliminary GPA has been calculated
- You've submitted your bachelor's thesis (or equivalent final project) or will submit it soon
- You'll definitely finish before ISME starts or within ISME's first semester
We'll calculate your points based on your current transcript. Your final degree result doesn't change your ranking—what matters is what you submit with the application.
Important: If admitted this way, you get conditional admission and must submit your final degree certificate by the end of your first ISME semester. If you don't, admission is revoked.
How to Apply
If you have a degree from Germany:
Apply through FU Berlin's application portal
If you have a degree from any other country:
Apply through uni-assist—they evaluate whether your degree is equivalent to degrees awarded in Germany and then forward your application to the university.
What you need to submit:
Required:
- Bachelor's degree + diploma supplement
- Transcript of records (showing your 60+ ECTS in relevant coursework)
- English language certificate (C1 level—see options below)
- program language certificate (B1 level—see options below)
You application will be evaluated by the ISME selection committee based on these documents.
Recommended:
- CV (especially if you have additional qualifications like work experience)
- Motivation letter (max 500 words—tell us why ISME, but do not use AI to have this written)
- Information on your coursework in case your transcript only chose generic module titles like "philosophy" or "linguistics" where it is not clear whether this has a relation to studying the regions and cultures and languages and societies of the Middle East.
"Recommended" means that it is of no disadvantage to you if you don't submit these documents.
Not needed:
- Recommendation letters
- Writing samples
- Publications
- Thesis proposals
All documents in languages other than English or German must include official translations!
Proving Your English (C1 CEFR)
If your bachelor's was taught in English: Submit proof (diploma supplement showing language of instruction, or a certificate from your university)
Language tests we accept:
- IELTS: 7.0 minimum
- TOEFL iBT: 95 minimum
- Cambridge: C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency, or B2 First with 180+ total
- PTE Academic: 76 minimum
- DAAD English certificate: C1 level
- UNIcert III
We also accept:
- Erasmus Language Tests (C1 level must be indicated)
- C1 certificates from university language centers
- Confirmation of completed C1 courses from universities or accredited language schools
- Bachelor's/master's from a program requiring C1 for admission (include proof)
- German Abitur in English (Leistungskurs): 12 points minimum
We do not accept:
- letters from professors or instructors confirming your proficiency in English
- Duolingo certificates
Unsure if your certificate qualifies? Email us: isme@geschkult.fu-berlin.de
Proving Your Program Language (B1 CEFR)
Options:
- Transcript showing B1 level (or module descriptions indicating level)
- Certificate from a university language center (on official letterhead, signed)
- Certificate from an accredited language institution
If B1 isn't explicitly stated: Submit documentation of duration/intensity of your language courses
Alternative paths:
- Bachelor's degree from a university where instruction was in Arabic, Armenian, Hebrew, Kurdish, Ottoman ;-), Persian, Syriac-Aramaic, or Turkish (submit diploma supplement as proof)
- Secondary school diploma from a school where instruction was in one of these languages
Native speakers: You still need to submit one of these proofs. Citizenship alone doesn't count.
After You Apply
The timeline (for complete applications submitted during the application period):
- Uni-assist (if applicable) checks your degree equivalence: ~4 weeks
- FU checks formal compliance with admission requirements: ~4 weeks
- ISME selection committee evaluates (inter-)disciplinary fit: ~4 weeks
Total: up to 12 weeks from application to decision, possibly longer depending on volume.
You'll be notified in the admissions portal of Freie Universität once a decision is made. Please note that admissions at Freie Universität are handled centrally, which means that strictly it is not ISME making the admission decision; ISME only evaluates applications in terms of their (inter-)disciplinary fit.
Tuition & Funding
Good news: No tuition fees! You pay about €300 per semester for registration, which includes free Berlin public transport.
Scholarships: No ISME-specific scholarships, but many German organizations fund international students. Check:
Several ISME students receive external funding every year—it's worth applying.
Questions about your specific situation? isme@geschkult.fu-berlin.de
Under "other qualifications" (10 points), yes - if it's substantial and relevant. A few hours here and there probably won't count, but sustained volunteer work (months of teaching Arabic to refugees, organizing cultural events, etc.) shows commitment. Document it with letters from the organizations.
Do the honest math: Add up your likely points (GPA + ECTS in Middle Eastern fields + additional qualifications). Strong applications typically score 95-150 points. If you're around 70-80, it depends on that year's pool. Below 70, you're taking a chance - but if ISME is your dream, apply anyway. We've admitted students with unconventional profiles who brought something unique.
Possibly. If you don't have 60 ECTS in relevant coursework but have substantial professional experience (12+ months), language skills, and can demonstrate your knowledge through other qualifications, you might meet the "equivalent qualifications" pathway. Email us your situation: isme@geschkult.fu-berlin.de
ISME does not apply expiry dates for language certificates, but ideally you should only apply when you feel confident in both English and one of the program languages. While you are not required to continue studying materials in original languages, being proficient (on at least the B1 level CEFR) in one related language does give you more options of courses to chose from.
Yes. Unconventional often means interesting. If you can demonstrate genuine engagement with the Middle East (through any combination of coursework, work, self-study, languages, travel, projects - everything must be documented), apply. The worst that happens is you get rejected. The best is you find your intellectual home. What's important is that you can prove that you can engage with topics of studying the Middle East scholarly/academically.
Look broadly: count language courses, any history/politics/anthropology courses on the region, independent study projects, study abroad in Middle Eastern countries. If you're genuinely under 60 ECTS, professional experience and language certificates might count as "equivalent qualifications" - but you'd need strong documentation.
Not necessary. Unlike some programs, contacting faculty beforehand doesn't affect your chances. That said, if you have a genuine question about whether your research interests fit ISME, email us (isme@geschkult.fu-berlin.de) rather than individual professors.
There is no typical! We've admitted students from Arabic literature programs, Islamic studies, Hebrew Bible programs, history with regional focus, political science, anthropology, Iranian studies, Jewish studies. Some come straight from BA, some have worked for years. Some come with 4 relevant languages, some with 1. Interdisciplinary means diverse backgrounds.
First, motivation letters are strictly not taken as a basis for evaluating your application, but they may help understanding your profile, especially when applying with equivalent qualifications beyond your bachelor's degree.
Be specific and authentic. Don't write generic "I'm passionate about the Middle East" - tell us what sparked your interest, what you've done about it, what questions drive you. Connect your past experiences to what you want to explore at ISME. 500 words maximum means every word should count. No clichés.
