History and Societies of the Islamic World Freie Universität Berlin

History and Societies of the Islamic World is a research-oriented Master’s programme at the Department of History and Cultural Studies with a focus on history, culture, religion, and the social sciences. It is a consecutive Master’s programme taught entirely in English. Admission to the programme requires a Bachelor’s degree in History and Cultures of the Middle East with a focus on Islamic Studies, or an equivalent degree in a closely related subject.

The programme focuses on the history, politics, religions, cultures, knowledge formations, and normativities of Islamic societies from the beginnings of Islam to the present. The regional focus lies on West Asia and North Africa as well as on Europe, with special attention to global perspectives and interconnections. The Master’s programme offers an overview of the current state of research and central debates in the study of the history and societies of the Islamic world and trains students in various research approaches and methodologies. The inter- and transdisciplinary area of the programme provides students with the opportunity to specialise and deepen their professional focus.

Unique features of the programme in the German academic context include the regional profile area “Islam in Europe” and a special emphasis on theory and methodology in the study of the Islamic world. Theoretical and methodological topics and approaches include gender dimensions in various contexts as well as constructions of difference and alterity; postcolonial perspectives; critique of racism; knowledge production and power; the interaction of law, religion, and politics; systems of meaning-making; linguistic and social constructions of reality; power asymmetries and dependencies; conceptual history and semantic fields; religion and secularity; heritagisation; popular and consumer culture; urban studies; and insider and outsider perspectives among Muslims and non-Muslims.

The strong research orientation of the Master’s programme results in a close linkage between the courses offered and the research priorities of the Institute of Islamic Studies. Through research-based learning, students are encouraged to carry out independent research projects – for example, through guided field research, interview-based research, philological source analysis with a focus on unedited manuscripts, the systematic recording and analysis of current Arabic knowledge production, digital humanities, approaches to material culture, or in globally oriented conceptual studies drawing on multiple types of sources. Additionally, students deepen their knowledge of Arabic through reading courses dealing with Arabic primary sources of various types and genres in the core focal area of the programme.

Students may earn credits for internships conducted either in Germany or abroad.

For admission to the Master’s programme, applicants must fulfil the following requirements:

A first university degree (e.g. a Bachelor’s degree) comprising at least 180 credit points (ECTS)

A minimum of 60 ECTS must have been earned in courses relevant to the study of history and societies of the Islamic world. Of these 60 ECTS, at least 40 ECTS must have been earned in courses that impart written Arabic language skills up to and including the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and oral Arabic language skills at the level B1 or an equivalent. At least 20 ECTS of the requirement must have been earned in courses focusing on other (i.e. not language skills-focused) topics relevant to the study of history and societies of the Islamic world.

The Arabic language requirement can also be fulfilled in other ways, for example by providing proof that the applicant has completed secondary or tertiary education in an Arabic-speaking country. In this case, the required 60 ECTS must have been earned in courses focusing on other (i.e. not language skills-focused) topics relevant to the study of history and societies of the Islamic world.

In total, the semester contribution amounts to 358.80 EUR. It includes a fee of 213.80 EUR for the transportation ticket contribution. This allows you to use local public transport in Berlin and nationwide for free. Other costs covered by the semester contribution include a 50 EUR enrolment fee, a 85 EUR semester contribution to the student support service ("studierendenWERK Berlin"), and a 10 EUR contribution to the student union.

Compared to other European countries, the cost of living in Germany is quite reasonable. However, the cost of living has also risen in Germany in recent years. The prices for food, accommodation, clothing, cultural events, etc. are slightly above the EU average. You will need around 900 to 1,300 EUR each month to cover your living expenses. The biggest expense is monthly rent, which is between 500 and 700 EUR in Berlin (for a room in a shared apartment).

There are many ways of earning money while you study, for example as wait staff, academic assistants, or private tutors. Knowledge of German will improve your chances of finding a part-time job, but it isn’t necessarily required. However, it is important to be aware of the legal regulations.The student support service at the university, called "studierendenWERK Berlin", and the local representative of the "Bundesagentur für Arbeit" (Federal Employment Agency) can provide information about jobs for students.

When searching for a job, look at online job boards, notice boards on campus, and ads in local newspapers.
You can also work on campus. The Freie Universität Berlin regularly offers positions for students in science, teaching support and administration that you can find on our careers portal.

The Deutschlandstipendium scholarship allows students at Freie Universität Berlin of all nations and all parts of society to fully concentrate on their studies. The programme supports talented students with 300 EUR per month. To apply, you already have to be enrolled within the standard time to degree during the funding period or have a letter of acceptance to start a degree programme at Freie Universität Berlin.

The Career Service of Freie Universität Berlin aims to support international students at Freie Universität by providing information, advice, and events related to career planning, internships, and job applications.

You have the option to stay in a public/private student dormitory or in a private (shared) apartment. Student dormitories are not administrated by the university itself, so Freie Universität Berlin does not have any on-campus housing. However, it works together with "studierendenWERK Berlin" regarding student accommodation.

If you do not wish to stay in a student dormitory, you can try to find a room or an apartment on the private housing market. Many students in Berlin live in shared apartments ("WGs"). You can find these offers online (e.g. WG-Gesucht or Kleinanzeigen) or on notice boards on campus.

Available rooms/apartments near the university are rare. Therefore, students mostly commute from other parts of the city. The commute via public transportation usually takes between 30 minutes and an hour, which is considered a normal travel time in Berlin due to the size of the city.

Freie Universität Berlin is a young, modern university offering a wide range of degree programmes across all academic disciplines. Today, approximately 34,000 students are enrolled in around 170 degree programmes spanning the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and life sciences. Economics, law, global history, physics, English studies, biodiversity, and cognitive neuroscience are just a few examples of the wide variety of subjects offered at Freie Universität Berlin. Additionally, there are around 3,300 doctoral candidates from more than 70 doctoral programmes.

As a leading research institution, Freie Universität Berlin has held the status of a University of Excellence awarded by the German government for almost 20 years. It is part of the only University Consortium of Excellence in Germany – the Berlin University Alliance – which includes four prestigious partners: Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin.

Freie Universität Berlin is highly international in its outlook. It maintains partnerships with numerous universities worldwide and operates liaison offices in Cairo, Eastern Europe (Tbilisi, Georgia), New Delhi, and São Paulo. Around 22 percent of students in undergraduate and graduate programmes come from abroad, as do 42 percent of doctoral candidates. Many lecturers and professors also have international backgrounds. At Freie Universität Berlin, you will meet people from all over the world.

A variety of support services make it easier to begin your studies, especially for international students and those new to Berlin. Examples include orientation week, the mentorship programme, the peer programme, and the Student Services Centre.

The university sports programme, ranging from Aikido to Zumba, is also very popular. Numerous cafeterias and dining halls across campus offer food and beverages, often including fair trade, organic, vegetarian, and vegan options.

Environmental protection and sustainability are key values at Freie Universität Berlin. There are many opportunities to get involved in related initiatives and student-led projects.

In addition, Freie Universität Berlin actively supports entrepreneurs. Through its start-up support network, students, researchers, and alumni receive guidance on turning innovative ideas into successful businesses – from the initial concept to market readiness.

Freie Universität Berlin is one of the leading universities in Germany’s capital. It is located in the leafy district of Dahlem, in the south-western part of the city. Most of the university’s facilities are situated on the Dahlem campus, making it a central hub for academic life in a uniquely green setting. No other university campus in Berlin offers as much greenery and open space.

Just step outside the university buildings to enjoy the outdoors — have lunch on one of the many terraces or rooftops, or explore the green spaces nestled between the buildings. In the summer, you can cool off after class with a swim in nearby Krumme Lanke or head to Freie Universität’s water sports centre at Wannsee.

Dahlem is also home to one of the largest botanical gardens in Europe, offering a peaceful escape just a few steps from campus life.

Thanks to excellent public transportation connections, the heart of Berlin is easily accessible. The U3 subway line directly links Dahlem with popular central neighbourhoods such as Schöneberg, Kreuzberg, and Friedrichshain, and all other districts can also be reached quickly and conveniently.