The American University in Cairo (AUC), Egypt
The CMEPS programme is entirely taught in English.
Of the total of 120 ECTS (credits), 33 are allocated to compulsory Arabic courses. These language courses are partly taught in Arabic in accordance with the students' language proficiencies.
The CMEPS programme combines excellent training in political science with a focus on the Middle East. It features a unique structure to hone students’ skills in their original area of knowledge and to add another complementary academic discipline to their portfolios.
Tübingen's CMEPS programme kicks off with an intensive introductory political science course before the start of the semester. A study trip to international organisations, development agencies, and important political and cultural institutions takes place in the winter of the first semester at Tübingen University.
Students with an area studies background at Tübingen and students at AUC pursue the “Political Science” profile. They focus on courses in research methods and theories of political science and non-native speakers take some courses in advanced Arabic. Students with a Political Science background at Tübingen pursue the “Arabic” profile and take intensive Arabic language courses for beginners during the first two semesters.
Throughout the first three semesters, all students take the core CMEPS political science courses such as Comparative Politics of the Middle East, Regime Change and Democratisation, Comparative Theories of Political Science, and International Cooperation and Development. Additionally, students can choose a few elective courses during their first three semesters. This could, for example, be a course on international relations or the political economy of the Middle East, international migration governance, social movements, development cooperation, conflict analysis, the political impact of new media, or political regime analysis.
During their third semester, CMEPS students do a semester at the respective partner university. Abroad, Tübingen students take Arabic courses, a political science course, and an elective course at AUC. Students from the AUC usually complete one core CMEPS course as well as elective courses during their stay at Tübingen. The students also take German classes at the University of Tübingen. Furthermore, students start working on their Master's theses during the third semester and prepare their thesis proposals for the International CMEPS Colloquium in January. Tübingen students then return to Tübingen and present, together with their fellow students from AUC, their MA thesis proposals at a joint colloquium with professors from both universities.
During their fourth semester, students write their MA theses and complete their oral defence vis-a-vis the examiners of both universities. During one of the semester breaks or during the fourth semester, students complete an internship.
All students of the joint degree programme have an integrated study abroad semester during their third semester.
CMEPS students in Tübingen complete a mandatory short internship during the course of their studies.
Enrolment fees at the University of Tübingen are currently about 200 EUR per semester. This includes use of local public transport free of charge from Monday to Friday (in the evenings), on weekends and on public holidays. In addition, students may purchase a semester ticket for unlimited use of public transport in the city of Tübingen and the surrounding area (currently about 160 EUR).
Estimated basic student expenses are around 1,000 EUR per month according to the Tübingen Student Services organisation (“Studierendenwerk”), including rent for student accommodation. Rent for private accommodation will be more expensive.
Students who have been accepted to the CMEPS Master's can apply for funding for their exchange semester abroad. This is valid for students at AUC as well as for students at the University of Tübingen. Currently, different funding schemes exist, e.g. via ERASMUS+ or DAAD. Stipends partially depend on the nationality of students.
The selection of students is based on academic capabilities, personal qualification and motivation. You are eligible to study in the CMEPS programme if you:
a) in political science or a related social science or
b) in Middle Eastern studies, Islamic studies or a related discipline (only at the University of Tübingen)
At the University of Tübingen, applicants' Bachelor's grades must be 2.5 or better (on the German grading scale); at AUC, a GPA of at least 3.2 is required. At the University of Tübingen, required documents for application comprise the following: high school diploma, BA certificate / transcripts of records, CV, a letter of motivation (up to two pages), proof of English language requirements
Optional documents are: evidence of other achievements (internships, work experience, etc.), contact details of an academic referee (if desired – to be noted in CV)
At the American University in Cairo: Make sure to select "Graduate Admissions" and the correct entry date as well as the concentration for the MA in Comparative & Middle East Politics and Society (CMEPS) on the application form.
Depending on individual visa regulations students can find different jobs in Tübingen.
Accommodation is available through the Student Services organisation (“Studierendenwerk“) or on the private market. Rooms in student accommodation cost approx. 250–480 EUR per month. As Tübingen is a very attractive place to live, private accommodation is more expensive and can take some effort to find. To make sure you find a suitable place to live, you should start looking as early as possible.
We recommend you apply for student accommodation through the “Studierendenwerk” at the same time that you apply for admission to the Master's programme (please see: https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/halls-of-residence-tuebingen/ and https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/faqs/) and send in a copy of your notification of admission as soon as you have received it (your application won’t be finally processed before the “Studierendenwerk” has received proof of your admission). For further information check out the “Studierendenwerk” pages on housing in Tübingen (https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/housing-infos/).
Information concerning career advisory services:
https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/einrichtungen/verwaltung/iii-studium-und-lehre/ueberfachliche-bildung-und-berufliche-orientierung/career-service/
The university’s Office for Advising and Admission of International Students offers advice on all academic matters (http://www.uni-tuebingen.de/en/90787).
German courses are available at the University’s House of Languages, including “Early Bird” and “Evening Classes” for beginners, specially designed for international Master's- and PhD-students. The full German course programme is available under: www.uni-tuebingen.de/en/1056.
The student initiative “StudiT” (“Studierenden-Initiative Internationales Tübingen”) offers a buddy programme and a wide range of social activities during the “Orientation Week” and throughout the semester (www.studit-tuebingen.de/en/).
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