GET MA — Global and European Transformations Master's Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

GET MA — Global and European Transformations is a double-degree Master’s programme in social sciences. It provides students from around the world with an excellent academic education and prepares them for international careers in diplomacy, public administration, policy consulting, journalism, NGOs, and academia.

Double Degree in Social Sciences

The programme is offered jointly by two leading universities: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Middle East Technical University (METU). Students spend the first year of the programme together at METU and the second year at Humboldt-Universität in Berlin. Upon successful completion, graduates receive a Master of Arts degree from both universities.

Interdisciplinary Focus

GET MA is taught entirely in English and offers an interdisciplinary perspective on global and European transformation processes. Renowned faculty members introduce students to analytical approaches from different fields of political science and sociology, including international relations, comparative politics, political theory, migration studies, and the sociology of social change.

Studying global and European Transformations

The programme focuses on key challenges shaping contemporary societies: globalisation, Europeanisation, democratisation, populism, migration, security policy, EU institutions, enlargement, and neighbourhood relations. Students learn to analyse these developments in their political, historical, economic, and social contexts and gain the skills needed to understand complex transformation processes from a comparative perspective.

Studying in two academic and cultural environments allows students to broaden their perspectives and develop a deeper understanding of European and global affairs. The combination of theoretical training, interdisciplinary learning, and international experience equips graduates with the knowledge and competencies required for a wide range of professional fields.

Comprehensive Support and a Network that Lasts a Lifetime

GET MA also places great emphasis on personal support and community. Throughout the two years of study, students benefit from close academic guidance, individual advice, and a supportive international learning environment. After graduation, they become part of an active alumni network that fosters long-term personal and professional connections across the world.

Programme Overview

GET MA is jointly operated by the Department of Social Sciences at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the Graduate School of Social Sciences at Middle East Technical University (METU).

The programme has a strong international profile and is taught in English. In addition, students take language classes in Turkish, German, or a third language during their first year and may choose further language courses in Berlin.

Academic Programme

GET MA offers courses on key topics in the social sciences, including modernisation, Europeanisation, migration, and social and political change. Students deepen their empirical knowledge of political and societal processes through comparative perspectives on Germany, Türkiye, Europe, and other world regions.

The curriculum combines approaches from political science and sociology while also addressing cultural and economic questions. Students benefit from the expertise of highly qualified faculty members from both partner universities.

A distinctive feature of GET MA is Joint Teaching. Each semester, one course is taught by lecturers from both universities. This allows students to engage with academic perspectives from different contexts and benefit from the teaching traditions of both institutions.

The courses provide specialised insights into current academic and political debates. They help students develop theoretical and methodological skills in comparative politics, integration studies, and the analysis of transformation processes.

Most GET MA courses are designed specifically for the programme. Some may be taught together with other international MA programmes. Students can also choose relevant elective courses from the catalogues of both partner universities and, during the Berlin year, from other universities in Berlin.

Internship

To complement their academic experience, students complete a six- to twelve-week internship after the first year of study. The internship provides valuable practical insights into potential career paths in Germany, Türkiye, or elsewhere.

METU Ankara (Middle East Technical University)

All students complete a compulsory internship.

Application deadlines may vary. Please consult the programme website for the exact dates.

There are two application deadlines: the first deadline is at the end of March, and the second deadline is in mid-June.

BA or equivalent in a relevant subject area (humanities, social sciences, etc.) from a recognised institution of higher education
The minimum admission requirement is an above-average BA degree, e.g. a cumulative grade point average of between 2.50 and 4.00, equivalent to 70% to 100%. Students who graduate in the ongoing semester must include a confirmation by the registrar's office stating the exact date of graduation.

Additionally, enrolment fees of around 315 EUR have to be paid in the third and fourth semesters at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. This amount includes service fees (around 110 EUR) as well as a seasonal student ticket for public transport ("Semesterticket") in and around Berlin for six months (around 200 EUR).

GET MA offers a limited number of DAAD scholarships for non-German students and a limited number of tuition fee reductions for qualified students of all nationalities.

The GET MA team frequently provides information on: career services, internships, and job searches.

As one of eleven German universities, the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin was chosen as a University of Excellence. It was successful in all three funding lines in the third round of the Excellence Initiative of the German federal and state governments and was awarded for its future concept "Educating Enquiring Minds: Individuality – Openness – Guidance". In an international comparison, Humboldt-Universität ranks among the top ten German universities. Scientists at Humboldt-Universität research socially relevant topics and challenges of the future and communicate these with the public. Humboldt-Universität invests all of its energy into being a place of excellent research and teaching. Its aim is to promote young talent and to positively influence society and the economy outside of the university framework.
Every year, over 5,000 young people decide to embark on their studies at Humboldt-Universität in the heart of Berlin. There is hardly any other place where students can choose from the same variety of degree courses. Among these degree courses are several international Master's programmes featuring lectures and seminars held in English.
As a first-rate university, international exchange for both research and study programmes is a matter of course. Humboldt-Universität boasts academic partnerships with more than 400 Erasmus partners in Europe and with over 150 university partners worldwide. It also has partnerships with two Erasmus Mundus programmes. Over 1,500 mobile students participate in its four Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Windows programmes.
Every year, about 800 academics from abroad spend time at Berlin's oldest university. Additionally, researchers from Humboldt-Universität are welcomed at various international universities, where they conduct projects or field studies and teach as guest lecturers. Humboldt-Universität helps students prepare to study abroad, providing consultation to international students and academics regarding all questions relating to their stay in Berlin. Through the creation of international networks, Humboldt-Universität plays an active role in furthering intercultural research and teaching.

This unique programme offers students the opportunity to study in the capital cities of both Germany and Türkiye: Berlin and Ankara.