The courses are held in English (100%). The Master's thesis needs to be written in English.
Summer semester: 1 December to 15 February
Winter semester: 24 April to 15 August
The aim of the MA Iranian Studies is to make the students familiar with various aspects of Iranian languages, cultures, history, and religions from antiquity to the late antique era. In this respect, the Iranian cultural domain extends over a large part of Western Asia; it far exceeds the current political borders and includes the modern states of Iran, Afghanistan, the western regions of Pakistan, the “republics” of the old Soviet central Asia, and areas within the Caucuses. Other peripheral areas came under strong Iranian influence at other times. The Median, Persian, and Parthian dynasties extended their empires westward into the ancient Near East, the eastern Mediterranean world, and Egypt as well as northward into Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The core of the programme consists of an intensive philological training in old, middle, and modern Iranian languages. The MA Iranian Studies offers Avestan and Middle Persian as part of the compulsory modules of Old and Middle Iranian Philology. These can also be complemented by languages such as Old Persian, Sogdian, Parthian, and Bactrian, which form part of the Iran and Turan elective module. Students who have not previously studied Persian will have the opportunity to study it as part of the programme. Those who know Persian can opt to study Kurdish (in its different varieties) or other modern Iranian languages (Modern Iranian Languages). We supplement the language training with the teaching of Iranian and Indo-Iranian linguistics in the Introduction to Iranian Linguistics elective module.
The Iranian Religions in History compulsory module examines the formation and development of Zoroastrianism and Manichaeism, two religions that are commonly associated with pre-Islamic Iran. Zoroastrianism is a research focus for many faculty members at the Institute of Iranian Studies.
Within the Iranian History in its Sources mandatory module, students explore aspects of Iranian history by engaging Iranian sources pertaining to an era or topic. This module offers students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of Old and Middle Iranian languages by reading original material from the antique and late antique eras. Participants of the module will work with epigraphic and numismatic materials as well as copies of manuscripts of ritual and religious texts.
Within the MA Iranian Studies programme, the students will have the opportunity to obtain 20 credits from other departments. For instance, the Institute of Islamic Studies provides an excellent opportunity to study Islam and its development in Iran more closely.
PDF DownloadIn total, the semester contribution amounts to 326.40 EUR. It includes a fee of 181.40 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 somewhat 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 400 and 700 EUR in Berlin.
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.
In order to be admitted to the Master’s programme, applicants need to fulfil the following admission requirements:
Applicants for the Master’s programme in Iranian Studies require a first university degree from a German university or a higher education institution outside of Germany in History and Cultures of the Middle East (concentration: Iranian Studies) or a foreign degree equivalent in content and structure to the History and Cultures of the Middle East (concentration: Iranian Studies) Bachelor's programme of the Freie Universität Berlin.
Proof of English skills (level C1 CEFR)
Summer semester: 1 December to 15 February
Winter semester: 24 April to 15 August
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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.
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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.
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