Admissions
Information on the application deadlines can be found in the ISME section (LINK) on the Student Services Center website.
In the following, you can find information regarding:
- prerequisites
- relevant first university degrees and courses
- documenting your English language proficiency
- documenting your proficiency in a program-related language
- when and where to submit proof of language proficiency
- applying with a degree from Germany
- applying with a degree from a country other than Germany
- how to apply at a glance
- a step by step guide through the application process
- fees and funding
- frequently asked questions
Prerequisites
To be eligible for admission to the master’s program, you need to fulfil the following requirements:
1. You must hold a first university degree (e.g. a bachelor’s degree) comprising of at least 180 credit points (ECTS) and you
- EITHER have earned 60 ECTS or more of this first degree in courses that are relevant to interdisciplinary studies of the Middle East in fields such as Arabic Studies, Iranian Studies, Islamic Studies, Jewish Studies, Semitic Studies, or Turkish and Ottoman Studies,
- OR have acquired equivalent qualifications in addition to the first university degree (e.g. education other than a university program, professional experience, knowledge of relevant languages).
2. you must provide proof of proficiency (at least level B1 CEFR or equivalent) in one of the following languages: Arabic, Armenian, Hebrew, Kurdish, Ottoman, Persian, Syrian-Aramaic, or Turkish;
3. you must provide proof of excellent English language skills (at least level C1 CEFR) if you have not obtained your first university degree in a program where English is the language of instruction.
For an explanation of the admission process please visit the program website or refer to the detailed admission regulations in English and in German (the latter is the legally binding version).
Relevant first university degrees and courses
You can apply with any first university degree (e.g. a bachelor's degree) in which you have earned 60 ECTS or more in courses that are relevant to interdisciplinary studies of the Middle East. Ideally, this first university degree is from disciplines such as Arabic Studies, Iranian Studies, Islamic Studies, Jewish Studies, Semitic Studies, or Turkish and Ottoman Studies. These include but are not limited to programs with denominations such as:
- Arabic Language and Literature
- Christian Oriental Studies
- Cultures of the Islamicate World
- Cultures of the Near/Middle East
- Hebrew Language and Literature
- History of the Near/Middle East
- History with a focus on the Near/Middle East
- Islamic Civilization and Societies
- Islamic Orient
- Islamic Theology
- Islamic World Studies
- Israel Studies
- Jewish Studies
- Judaic Studies
- Languages of the Islamicate World
- Languages of the Near/Middle East
- Linguistics with Arabic
- Mediterranean Studies with a focus on North Africa or the Levante
- Middle Eastern Studies
- Middle East Pluralities
- Modern Arab Cultures
- The Modern Islamicate World
- Modern Jewish Studies
- Near Eastern Studies
- North African Studies
- Oriental Studies
- Ottoman Studies
- Persian Languages and Literature
- Persian Studies
- Philosophy with a focus on the Near/Middle East
- Turkic Languages and Literature
- Turkish Studies
Documenting your English language proficiency
In our program, all modules are taught in English. It's vital to have a high level of English proficiency in order to succeed in your studies. Although meeting the formal language requirements is essential, we suggest taking some time to evaluate your personal language skills and ensure you're prepared for the academic demands of our program. As a student, you will be expected to read and comprehend academic texts, engage in advanced scholarly discussions during sessions, and express your ideas in an academic manner when submitting assignments or writing research papers and your thesis.
When applying to the program, you'll need to submit proof of your English proficiency on a C1 (CEFR) level. There are various certificates that can be accepted as evidence of your English language proficiency, including:
- University degree with English as the first language of instruction, evidenced by: the designation of English as the language of instruction on the certificate or in the diploma supplement (please indicate this clearly in the application documents) or a certificate from the university
- University entrance qualification from an English-speaking country / language of instruction English
- Recognized language certificates with corresponding minimum scores:
- IELTS General or Academic (also online): 7.0
- TOEFL internet-based (iBT) or TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition: a total of at least 95
- Cambridge Examinations: C2 Proficiency, C1 Advanced, B2 First (A): at least 180 in total
- DAAD English language certificate: C1
- UNIcert III
- PTE Academic (also online): at least 76 in total
These are designated by Freie Universität as accepted means of providing proof of proficieincy in English on a C1 (CEFR) level. In addition, we at ISME accept:
- language certificates by DAAD (C1 level),
- Erasmus Language Tests (C1 level),
- language certificates by university language departments (C1 level),
- confirmation of completed C1 level language courses (taken at a university or a public/ private language school).
A document showing that applicants spent at least one year at an English-language university in an Anglophone country and successfully participated in several regular, linguistically demanding courses would also be sufficient (if you are unsure if your university qualifies, please enquire via email), as would a bachelor's or master's degree (which has to be recognized in Germany) from a program which sets C1 as a prerequisite for admission, or a result of at least 12 points in the written 'Abitur' examination in English ('Leistungskurs'/advanced level).
Documenting your proficiency in a program-related language
You can establish your proficiency in Arabic, Armenian, Hebrew, Kurdish, Ottoman, Persian, Syriac-Aramaic, or Turkish by submitting one of the following documents:
- a transcript of records indicating the level of proficiency as B1 CEFR; if the level of proficiency is not documented in the transcript of records, please provide module descriptions indicating the level of proficiency;
- a document issued by a university language center certifying the level of proficiency as B1 CEFR. The document can only be accepted if presented with an official university letterhead and/or a stamp from the relevant institution, and a signature by the relevant language instructor;
- certificates from languages centers and language institutions indicating the level of proficiency as B1 CEFR.
If the level of proficiency as B1 CEFR is not indicated in your documents, please document the duration and intensity of the courses you have taken in the relevant languages.
You may also fulfil these requirements if you have
a) obtained your bachelor's degree (which has to be recognized in Germany) from a university where the language of instruction is Arabic, Armenian, Hebrew, Kurdish, Persian, Syriac-Aramaic, or Turkish, or
b) obtained your general university entry qualification from a high school (which has to be recognized in Germany) where the language of instruction is Arabic, Armenian, Hebrew, Kurdish, Persian, Syriac-Aramaic, or Turkish.
Always provide relevant proof with your application, for example, an official diploma supplement stating the language of instruction.
Submit official translations of all certificates if issued in any language other than German or English.
If you are a native speaker of any of these languages, you would still have to submit proof of proficiency according to one of these options. Please note that citizenship is not considered as proof of language proficiency.When and where to submit proof of language proficiency
To apply for our program, you will need to provide proof of your language proficiency in advance; we cannot offer preliminary admission. If you have any doubts about the specific certification requirements for your language proficiency, please don't hesitate to reach out to our knowledgeable academic advisors.
It's worth noting that German language proficiency is not required for the application process.
Do not send your certificates to our program's academic advisors, but upload them directly to the relevant application portal.Selection criteria when admission is restriced
See section 4 in the admission regulations:
(1) 80 percent of the study placements that are still available after the preliminary quotas have been fulfilled will be allocated according to the selection process as outlined in this document (higher education quota). 20 percent of the study placements will be distributed according to Section 15.1.1.2 BerlHZG. 5 percent of the study placements are reserved for the quota stipulated in Section 15.1.3 BerlHZG.
(2) Candidates are selected for the master’s program according to the following criteria:
1. The level of qualification as demonstrated by the applicant’s academic performance in their degree programs (Section 15.2.1 BerlHZG)
2. Considerations of the applicant’s academic background in their choice of degree program and academic interests that provide an indication of their motivation and aptitude for the subject (Section 15.2.4 BerlHZG)
3. Other qualifications acquired outside of a university degree program (Section 15.2.1.5 BerlHZG).
(3) In the selection process, selection points will be awarded under the criteria defined above in Sections 4.2.1 to 4.2.3. The maximum number of points that can be awarded is 150. (4) For the selection criteria listed under Section 4.2.1 of these regulations, a maximum of 60 selection points can be awarded in relation to the average grade stated on the degree certificate for the candidate’s previous degree program. The points for each average grade are listed in Appendix 1 to these regulations.
(5) Applicants can receive up to 45 points (see Appendix 2) for the selection criterion in Section 4.2.2 based on the credits they have received for the subjects they studied from the alphabetic list below:
1. Arab studies
2. Iranian studies
3. Islamic studies
4. Jewish studies
5. Ottoman studies/Turcology 6. Semitic studies.
(6) Applicants can receive up to 45 points for the selection criterion set out in Section 4.2.3 by providing documentation of qualifications relevant to the proposed area of study from non-university contexts. Points are awarded based on the following:
1. A one-time award of 20 points for practical experience with work related to the Near or Middle East and performed for at least 12 months, for example, at a research institute with a focus on the Near or Middle East, at an international organization or (non-)government organization, at cultural or educational institutions that support understanding and cooperation across disciplines, cultures, religions, and nations, or in the field of translation
2. A one-time award of 15 points for evidence of a qualification obtained through a continuing education provider that required at least 40 hours of study (e.g., through language certificates obtained from non-university educational institutions)
3. A one-time award of 10 points for at least one other documented qualification that speaks to the candidate’s aptitude for the master’s degree program.
(7) A ranking list calculated on the basis of the sum of these numbers, with the highest number being ranked first, shall be drawn up and used as the basis for candidate selection.
Applying with a degree from Germany
If you hold a first university degree from Germany, you must apply via the online form of Freie Universität Berlin.
Applying with a degree from a country other than Germany
If you hold a first university degree from a country other than German, you must apply via uni-assist, a Germany-wide association that provides processing and evaluation for international student applications. Freie Universität Berlin will accept such applications only when submitted through the uni-assist online portal. Uni-assist evaluates whether the application – i.e. your degree and transcript – meets the formal prerequisites established by Freie Universität Berlin. Uni-assist does not check subject-specific entry requirements, which is done by the ISME selection commission of the Department of History and Cultural Studies.
Please note that our program's academic advisors cannot answer inquiries concerning the formal application process via Freie Universität and/or uni-assist (e.g. necessary documents, certification). In these matters, please contact Freie Universität Berlin's admission office (info-service@fu-berlin.de).
How to apply
No matter whether you apply through Freie Universität's application portal or through uni-assist, you will need to submit certain documents. Generally speaking, you need to provide proof of fulfiling each of the three admission requirements (bachelor's degree with 60 ECTS in ISME-related courses, English C1, ISME-related language B1).
Please submit official translations of all certificates if issued in any language other than German or English.
Documents to submit
according to the requirements of ISME – please check any potential formal requirements by uni-assist if applying with a degree from another country but Germany, especially also regarding original certificates and translations- bachelor's degree including diploma supplement;
- transcript of records → to prove at least 60 ECTS in ISME-related courses; you may also prove your proficiency in an ISME-related language with a TOC;
- one up-to-date English language certificate → according to the options mentioned above, to prove your proficiency in English at least on the C1 level CERF or equivalent;
- ISME-related language certificate → according to the options mentioned above, to prove your proficiency at least on the B1 level CERF or equivalent;
- if applicable: further documents as proof of additional qualifications as mentioned above.
Further recommended documents:
- CV – especially when applying with additional qualifications;
- a motivation letter – no longer than 500 words.
What not to submit
- recommendation letters;
- work samples;
- writing samples;
- master's thesis proposals.
Step by step through the application process
follow this link
Fees and funding
The good news is that the master's program Interdisciplinary Studies of the Middle East is tuition-free! However, registering as a student of Freie Universität Berlin currently costs around €300 per semester, including free use of the Berlin public transportation system.
General information about funding your studies can be found here.
While there are no specific scholarships for our program, you can still apply for funding independently. Many German organizations and foundations offer scholarships for international students in Germany. In fact, every year, several international students of Freie Universität are successful in obtaining funding from such programs. Check out the following websites to find a program that fits your personal profile:
Frequently asked questions
Students holding a degree from a university outside of Germany must submit their application through uni-assist (LINK).
ISME is tuition-free. Fees for registering as a student of Freie Universität Berlin currently run at around €300 per semester (including free use of the Berlin public transportation system). For more information about the exact fees, see the website of the student administration (LINK).
We recommend checking the anabin database (LINK, currently only in German) – a portal informing about recognizing foreign degrees in Germany.
Yes, submit with your application a transcript of records documenting that you earned at least 60 ECTS (equivalent to about one-third of your undergraduate degree) in courses relevant to Interdisciplinary Studies of the Middle East in the sense of cultural studies (including literary studies, linguistics, religious studies, philosophie, cultural history).
Please note that in the case of applying with a first university degree unrelated to Interdisciplinary Studies of the Middle East, we cannot take into account language courses to fulfil two different admission requirements, the minimum of 60 ECTS in courses that are relevant to interdisciplinary studies of the Middle East AND the proficiency (at least level B1 CEFR or equivalent) in a programme-related language.
Yes, if you provide official, provisional documentation from the examination office of your university or faculty that includes a preliminary final grade and certifies that you have already earned at least two-thirds of the necessary credit points. It is not sufficient to calculate the preliminary final grade yourself. The certification must be handed in by the application deadline or your application will not be considered.
Yes. Please note, however, that this is a consecutive master's program; therefore, you will be required to apply on the basis of your bachelor's degree. Qualifications acquired in addition to the bachelor's degree (e.g. education other than a university program, professional experience, knowledge of relevant languages), can be considered within the application process to document skills and knowledge equivalent to 60 ECTS in courses that are relevant to interdisciplinary studies of the Middle East in fields such as Arabic Studies, Iranian Studies, Islamic Studies, Jewish Studies, Kurdish Studies, Ottoman Studies, Semitic Studies, or Turkic Studies. See the admissions regulations to learn about the ranking process.
Please note that in the case of applying with a first university degree unrelated to Interdisciplinary Studies of the Middle East, we cannot take into account language courses to fulfil two different admission requirements, the minimum of 60 ECTS in courses that are relevant to interdisciplinary studies of the Middle East AND the proficiency (at least level B1 CEFR or equivalent) in a programme-related language.
Yes. Please note, however, that this is a consecutive master's program; therefore, you will be required to apply on the basis of your bachelor's degree. Qualifications acquired in addition to the bachelor's degree (e.g. education other than a university program, professional experience, knowledge of relevant languages), can be considered within the application process to document skills and knowledge equivalent to 60 ECTS in courses that are relevant to interdisciplinary studies of the Middle East in fields such as Arabic Studies, Iranian Studies, Islamic Studies, Jewish Studies, Kurdish Studies, Ottoman Studies, Semitic Studies, or Turkic Studies.
Please note that in the case of applying with a first university degree unrelated to Interdisciplinary Studies of the Middle East, we cannot take into account language courses to fulfil two different admission requirements, the minimum of 60 ECTS in courses that are relevant to interdisciplinary studies of the Middle East AND the proficiency (at least level B1 CEFR or equivalent) in a programme-related language.
To establish qualifications equivalent to 60 ECTS or more that are relevant to interdisciplinary studies of the Middle East in fields such as Arabic Studies, Iranian Studies, Islamic Studies, Jewish Studies, Kurdish Studies, Ottoman Studies, Semitic Studies, or Turkish Studies – in the sense of cultural studies (including literary studies, linguistics, religious studies, philosophie, cultural history) –, submit together with your application a CV as well as relevant documents.
Qualifications for the master’s degree program earned outside of a university setting can be documented through diplomas, certificates, or other official documents. Such qualifications include certificates of continuing education programs, degrees from training programs for recognized occupations, diplomas from institutions that are state-approved or recognized by a Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or an equivalent international professional qualification, and they must have been earned subsequent to the degree mentioned in sentence 1.
The qualification must be substantially related to the subject matter of the degree mentioned in sentence 1 or to the degree pursued in the master’s program. Moreover, the qualification must have been awarded by an institution that is recognized by public law and must have been earned in the form of quantifiable and consecutive individual curricular modules. The qualification must be equivalent to at least level 6 of the German Qualifications Framework (Deutscher Qualifikationsrahmen, DQR). Professional experience that is pertinent to the master’s degree program must have been gained after the completion of the degree mentioned in sentence 1 and must be fundamentally related to the subject matter of the degree mentioned in sentence 1 or to the degree pursued in the master’s program. Relevant professional experience can include, for example, work at a research center, either at a university or elsewhere, that deals with topics on the Near or Middle East, working for international organizations or (non-) governmental organizations, for cultural or educational institutions that support intercultural, international, or interfaith understanding, or working in the field of translation.
Please note that in the case of applying with a degree unrelated to Interdisciplinary Studies of the Middle East, we cannot take into account language courses to fulfil two different admission requirements, the minimum of 60 ECTS in courses that are relevant to interdisciplinary studies of the Middle East AND the proficiency (at least level B1 CEFR or equivalent) in a programme-related language.
Applicants must submit proof of English language proficiency on a C1 (CEFR) level (LINK) together with their application according to one of the options mentioned above.
You can establish your proficiency in Arabic, Armenian, Hebrew, Kurdish, Ottoman, Persian, Syriac-Aramaic, or Turkish by submitting documents according to one of the options mentioned above. Please submit official translations of all certificates if issued in any language other than German or English.
No, you have to document your proficiency in English on level C1 CERF as well as your proficiency in Arabic, Armenian, Hebrew, Kurdish, Ottoman, Persian, Syriac-Aramaic, or Turkish on level B1 CERF upon application. Failure to submit complete documents together with your application will result in rejection.
In case you are not sure whether you can start your studies in the first semester, please check whether a leave of absence would be an option for you (LINK).
Uni-assist will check your certificates (e.g. your bachelor’s certificate) for equivalence to German educational standards; after that, the application will be forwarded to the university for evaluation with view to formal compliance to the admission requirements as per ISME's admission regulations (see the PDF here LINK), e.g. whether the fulfilment of every single admission requirement has been documented with your application; after that, the master's program selection officers will evaluate your application with view to disciplinary aspects such as the relevance of your bachelor's degree, your language proficiencies as well as its basis of documentation.
Assuming a complete application in English or German or bilingual with one of these languages, every of these three steps can take up to four weeks starting from the day of application within the application period, so at the latest 12 weeks after application your documents will have been reviewed and it may take further four weeks until the official admission or rejection letters will have been sent out.
Please note that we as master’sprogram selection officers are not involved in the central admission processes, however.
The given timeframes only apply to applications that have been submitted completely and within the application period. A complete application documents the fulfilment of every single admission requirement as per ISME's regulations; check the different options e.g. of proving your proficiency in English here LINK.
What the master's program selection officers do is that as soon as an application has been evaluated positively from a disciplinary point of view, the candidates will be informed via email; however, this information is no official statement of admission.
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
Your application will be considered solely on the basis of your qualifications according to the admission requirements. However, we recommend applying with a motivation letter and your CV, especially when applying with an unrelated bachelor's degree or with additional qualifications.
We will not take into account letters of recommendation or work samples.
The deadline are published on the ISME section (LINK) on the Student Services Center website.
