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 Tübingen cohort begins their first semester in early October with a blocked course.
The AUC cohort begins their first semester in early September in Cairo.
The mode of study is in presence.
At the University of Tübingen:
15 May
At the American University in Cairo:
1 February (first round) and 1 April (second round)
1 April (application deadline)
Students from EU countries do not pay tuition fees.
Approx. 1,500 EUR per semester for students from non-EU countries and 650 EUR for students who already have a Master's degree from EU countries
More information concerning tuition fees: https://www.uni-tuebingen.de/en/31479
The CMEPS programme 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 electives during their stay at Tübingen. The students also take German classes at the University of Tübingen. Furthermore, students start working on their Master's thesis during the third semester and prepare a thesis proposal 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.
CMEPS students start either at the University of Tübingen or at AUC (=Tübingen cohort and AUC cohort). During their studies, CMEPS students complete an exchange semester. All students thus study both at University of Tübingen and at the American University in Cairo.
For the Tübingen cohort, CMEPS studies are organised as follows:
39 ECTS in the core modules
Students take 24 ECTS in either the Arabic Profile or in the Political Science Profile (depending on the students' first degrees).
30 ECTS are taken in the Specialisation Area (Modules 9 through 12):
27 ECTS in the Master's Thesis Module
CMEPS students in the AUC cohort have equivalent core courses. Studies are organised as follows:
Compulsory courses:
Elective courses:
Four mandatory elective courses in consultation with the graduate adviser/coordinator of the joint programme
Thesis:
Joint thesis supervision from professors at Tübingen and AUC
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.
Students from EU countries do not pay tuition fees.
Approx. 1,500 EUR per semester for students from non-EU countries and 650 EUR for students who already have a Master's degree from EU countries
More information concerning tuition fees: https://www.uni-tuebingen.de/en/31479
Enrolment fees at the University of Tübingen are currently about 167 EUR (from 2024 onwards) per semester. This includes use of local public transport free of charge from Monday to Friday in the evenings, at 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 142 EUR).
According to the Tübingen Student Services Organisation (“Studierendenwerk”), estimated basic student expenses are about 850 EUR per month, including rent for student accommodation.
As of 2024, some ERASMUS stipends are available for the exchange semester.
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.
Applicants must provide evidence of proficiency in English, e.g. through TOEFL (score: at least 90), IELTS (at least 6.5, writing section at least 7.0). Students are exempt from certifying their English language skills under certain conditions (mother tongue, previous study experience in English-language programmes); please consult our homepage for details.
German language skills are not a prerequisite at either of the partner institutions.
At the University of Tübingen:
15 May
At the American University in Cairo:
1 February (first round) and 1 April (second round)
1 April (application deadline)
Online application: https://alma.uni-tuebingen.de/alma/pages/cs/sys/portal/subMenu.faces?navigationPosition=hisinoneapp_studi_no_login
For questions regarding the application process, please contact the office of "Advising and Admission of International Students".
E-mail: study.master@uni-tuebingen.de
Accommodation is available through the student services organisation (“Studierendenwerk“: https://www.my-stuwe.de/wohnen/wohnheime-tuebingen/#toggle-id-1) or on the private market. Rooms in student accommodation cost approx. 200 to 400 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 to apply for student accommodation through the “Studierendenwerk” at the same time that you apply for admission to the programme (See: https://en.my-stuwe.de/housing/halls-of-residence-tuebingen/ and https://en.my-stuwe.de/housing/faqs/) and send in a copy of your notification of admission as soon as you have received it. (Your application won’t be processed until the “Studierenwerk” has received proof of your admission.) For further information, check out the “Studierendenwerk” website on housing in Tübingen (https://en.my-stuwe.de/housing/).
Information concerning career advisory services: https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/einrichtungen/verwaltung/iii-studium-und-lehre/ueberfachliche-bildung-und-berufliche-orientierung/career-service/
Political Science at Tübingen University
The University of Tübingen, founded in 1477 and one of the oldest universities in Germany, stands for quality and innovation in research and teaching. The university is one of Germany's most respected educational institutions, and it provides an excellent environment for academic studies. With its problem-oriented and theory-driven approach to studying democracy, state-society relations and development, the Master's programme builds on the University of Tübingen's long-standing research expertise in the MENA region. Most modules will be taught by the Institute of Political Science, one of Germany's top-ranked political science institutions, which excels in comparative political science research on non-OECD countries, especially MENA countries. Language teaching and modules on the culture and civil society of the Middle East will be offered by the Department of Oriental and Islamic Studies.
Political Science at AUC
The American University in Cairo (AUC), founded in 1919, is the region's premier English-language university today; it is an essential contributor to the social, political and cultural life of the Arab world. In an increasingly globalised society, the AUC offers a vital bridge between the cultures of East and West through scholarly research, study abroad programmes and partnerships with other academic and research institutions. The AUC builds leadership, lifelong learning, continuing education and service among its graduates and is dedicated to making significant contributions to Egypt and to the international community in diverse fields.
Tübingen, Germany:
Narrow steps and alleys as well as pointed gables shape the silhouette of old Tübingen on the way up to its castle. The Swabian university town is home to 90,000 inhabitants and some 28,000 students. It combines the flair of a lovingly restored medieval town centre with the colourful bustle and typical atmosphere of a young and cosmopolitan students' town. The town offers numerous outdoor cafés, wine taverns and student pubs, special shops, restaurants and taverns. Taking a boat trip in a famous Stocherkahn – a boat navigated by means of a long wooden pole that is exclusive to Tübingen – offers a scenic view of the picturesque Neckar waterfront with the famous Hölderlin Tower.
Cairo, Egypt:
Cairo is the largest city in the Arab world and Africa. It has long served as the cultural, political and social capital of the Middle East. Home to one of the oldest and richest civilisations in the world, Cairo is unique with its ancient monuments and historical landmarks that date back thousands of years, from the Great Pyramids to Al Azhar University and the Hanging Church.
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