Yes, you can commence the ISME program in the intended term of admission even with a late arrival after classes have begun. There is no cutoff date prohibiting you from initiating your studies (except you must register for courses through the campus management) upon late arrival within that term. The program helps to accommodate late arrivals to allow for integration as best as they can – this may result in individualised study plans.

Please see the formal letter below which may be referenced to embassies in case of need.

---

Dear Embassy Officials,

This serves to confirm that the on-boarding policy of our master's program Interdisciplinary Studies of the Middle East (ISME) at Freie Universität Berlin allows for seamless academic integration of incoming students experiencing visa/travel delays.

Newly enrolled students are eligible to initiate ISME for the intended enrollment term (winter term = October to March), regardless of arrival timeline. There is no cut-off precluding active student status and on-boarding post-term start, so even after October. We support our students in accommodating late arrivals and ensuring no study commencement disruption.

Please issue relevant visas for enrolled students accordingly. Delayed arrivals do not impact the eligibility to start studying ISME.

We appreciate your collaborative facilitation of student mobility. Clarifications available as needed.

Sincerely,
Prof. Dr. Lukas Mühlethaler & Dr. Victoria Mummelthei
Academic Advisors and Program Coordinators
Interdisciplinary Studies of the Middle East (ISME)
Department of History and Cultural Studies
Freie Universität Berlin