Interdisciplinary Studies of the Middle East (ISME)

Freie Universität · Berlin, Germany

Level
Master's
Award
Master of Arts
Language
English
Duration
4 semesters
Study mode
Full-time
Campus
Berlin
Apply by
Register by 31 May 2027
Starts
Winter semester

Freie Universität does not publish a fee for this programme on its own. Its published rate for master's programmes is €0 a year for international students.

Entry requirements and how to apply

Entry requirements
To be eligible for admission to the Master’s programme, you need to fulfil the following requirements: 1. You must hold a first university degree (e.g. a Bachelor’s degree) comprising at least 180 credit points (ECTS) and you must have EITHER earned 60 ECTS or more of this first degree in courses that are relevant to interdisciplinary studies of the Middle East in the sense of cultural studies in fields such as Arabic Studies, Iranian Studies, Islamic Studies, Jewish Studies, Semitic Studies, or Turkish and Ottoman Studies OR acquired equivalent qualifications in addition to the first university degree (e.g. education other than a university programme, 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. This requirement pertains to native speakers, too; being subject to a specific state (i.e. being a national of any country) is NOT equivalent to an academic language proof. 3. You must provide proof of excellent English language skills. See details below. For an explanation of the ad
English language requirement
C1 required, please provide an official language certificate, e.g.: PTE Academic: 76 UNIcert® English: UNIcert® III Cambridge English Qualifications: C1 Advanced TOEFL iBT (before 2026): 95 Reading: 24 Listening: 22 Speaking: 25 Writing: 24 TOEFL iBT (since 2026): 5 Reading: 5 Listening: 5 Speaking: 5 Writing: 5 IELTS Academic: 7
German language requirement
No minimum language level required
Application period
The following is valid for applicants from: all countries For the winter semester: 15 April - 31 May
Apply through
Please check this website .

About this programme

Interdisciplinary Studies of the Middle East (ISME) is a two-year, tuition-free, full-time Master’s programme taught in English on campus in Berlin. Freie Universität's expertise in cultural studies of the Middle East – represented by Arabic Studies, Iranian Studies, Islamic Studies, Jewish Studies, Kurdish Studies, Ottoman Studies, Semitic Studies, and Turcology – comes together for this Master's programme to offer students the possibility to approach this fascinating and complex region from multi-faceted and interregional perspectives, taking into account the diversity of languages, literatures, societies, religions, and cultures of this region. As a consecutive programme, it builds on knowledge about the Middle East and skills from the fields of humanities, cultural studies, and philologies that have been acquired in the course of a Bachelor's programme or through professional qualification. Are you curious about cultures of the Middle East ? Are you eager to explore new areas of interest and to study independently ? Can you prove excellent English language skills (level C1 CEFR or equivalent)? Do you hold a Bachelor's degree with at least 60 ECTS in ISME-related courses? Are you proficient in at least one of the following programme-related languages : Arabic, Armenian, Hebrew, Kurdish, Ottoman, Persian, Syriac-Aramaic, or Turkish (level B1 CEFR or equivalent)? Then our Interdisciplinary Studies of the Middle East Master's programme may be of interest to you.

Related pages

Other degree programmes at Freie Universität