Ain Shams University in Cairo (Faculty of Education / Centre of Excellence for German and Arabic as a Foreign Language EZ DAAF)
Other courses in cooperation with universities in
Courses are held entirely in German. The Master’s thesis has to be written in German.
A good level in English is required for reading academic texts. References to Arabic are made in some courses at Ain Shams University.
Other partner universities: see specific information here
Winter semester
Summer semester
Online elements are usually integrated in all study modules.
Other partner universities: see specific information here
In Leipzig: 31 May
In Cairo: usually in April
Other partner universities: see specific information here
The Master's programme in "German as a Foreign Language in the Arab-German Context" is a consecutive, research-oriented programme offered by the Herder Institute and the Centre of Excellence for German and Arabic as a Foreign Language (EZ DAAF) at the Faculty of Education of Ain Shams University in Cairo.
The programme is aimed at graduates of German as a Foreign Language (GFL), Germanic Studies or related degrees who have a strong interest in Arabic-speaking countries. It is also particularly of interest for graduates with the degree combination of Arabic Studies and Germanic Studies / GFL.
The teaching and research profile of the programme combines the professional strengths of the Herder Institute in Leipzig (linguistics / applied linguistics, didactics, cultural studies, language assessment) and the Centre of Excellence in Cairo (comparatively oriented literary studies and didactics of literature, contrastive linguistics and Arabic-German discourse analysis). In group work, joint projects, internships, and in the Master's thesis, students gain diverse insights into theoretical and practical issues of the subject of German as a foreign and second language.
Special features of the programme are as follows:
The Master's programme comprehensively prepares students for a competent and reflective language teaching career. Graduates are also able to take on management tasks in curriculum planning, the organisation of language courses or the development of teaching and learning materials as well as activities in related fields, such as cultural mediation, (foreign) cultural policy, media and publishing or other areas of international exchange.
For further information, please see this website.
Other partner universities: see specific information here
Student workload: 120 credit points (including 10 credit points for the compulsory internship and 30 credit points for Master's thesis); each credit point represents 30 hours of student workload.
The remaining 80 credit points are earned in eight elective study modules. At both universities, a total of 26 modules are offered, from which students are free to choose. At least one module (10 credit points) must be completed in each of the following areas:
One of the four semesters, usually the third semester, is completed at the respective partner university. Part-time studies are possible. In this case, the semester abroad is then postponed to the fourth or fifth semester.
Tutorials are offered to support the students' research and academic writing skills.
Other partner universities: see specific information here
All students will spend one semester at the respective partner university.
Other partner universities: see specific information here
Ten of the 120 credit points are assigned for the compulsory internship module including at least five weeks / 200 hours of practical work experience. The internship can be completed as a supervised teaching internship at a renowned language teaching institution in Cairo (e.g. German University in Cairo, Goethe Institute or German schools in Cairo) or in other related fields.
A second internship module can be taken additionally as part of the elective modules.
Other partner universities: see specific information here
Mandatory registration fees (approx. 260 EUR) allow students to use public transport free of charge and the university's refectories and cafeterias at reduced prices.
In Cairo, tuition fees are charged (approx. 460 EUR per semester for full-time students), but all students usually receive a scholarship, which covers 80% of the tuition fees. Students from Leipzig University are exempt from paying tuition fees in Cairo.
Compared with other German cities, the cost of living in Leipzig is relatively low. Students should budget around 800 to 900 EUR per month to cover their living expenses including rent, food, insurance fees and materials for their studies.
International students in Cairo should budget around 400 EUR per month.
Students at Leipzig University can apply for a scholarship for the exchange semester in Cairo (Promos, Erasmus+). There are no scholarships available for living expenses in Leipzig.
Students at Ain Shams University usually receive a scholarship upon acceptance into the programme. This covers 80% of the tuition fees in Cairo and 100% of the exchange semester in Leipzig. For students from third countries, scholarships for living expenses in Cairo are possible.
For more information, please see this website.
Other partner universities: see specific information here
Other partner universities: see specific information here
For applicants at Leipzig University: German C1, English (reading) B2, Arabic A1
For applicants at Ain Shams University in Cairo: German B2 (a C1 certificate must be provided before the exchange semester in Leipzig), English: National TOEFL (450 points)
Other partner universities: see specific information here
Internet connection and regular access to appropriate devices for asynchronous participation and video conferences
In Leipzig: 31 May
In Cairo: usually in April
Other partner universities: see specific information here
You will find all information about the application process on this website.
Application for our programme is possible at Leipzig University as well as at the Ain Shams University Cairo (and the other partner universities). This implies differences in the respective application procedure and in the details of the course of studies, which are noted when necessary.
Cairo: limited
Leipzig: see offers in student job market organised by "Studentenwerk Leipzig - Jobvermittlung"
Student residence halls run by the "Studentenwerk Leipzig – Wohnen", shared apartments, accommodation services and estate agencies
Students at Ain Shams University are supported in developing their academic language skills in German in a one-month preparatory course directly before the start of their studies as well as through an extensive tutorial programme.
All students are advised by the programme coordinators in Leipzig and Cairo.
In addition, students have access to all central counselling services at both universities (International Office, Student Services, etc.).
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