Established in 2013, the "Comparative & Middle East Politics and Society" (CMEPS) Joint Master’s program is a two-year degree program jointly offered by the Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen in Germany and the American University in Cairo (AUC) in Egypt. The program offers a comprehensive understanding of political and societal developments in the Middle East, along with the analytical tools of political science to understand its complex dynamics and challenges.
CMEPS is the first Master’s degree acknowledged in Germany, Egypt, and the United States. It offers 20 available spots, with 10 spots allocated to each University. Students can start their joint degree either at Tübingen University or the AUC but accomplish a similar study program and spend one semester at the partner university. Hence, students of both universities graduate with a similar profound knowledge of political science of the Middle East and with a Joint Degree issued by both universities.
Students starting at Tübingen have a first degree in political science or a related social science discipline or in Middle Eastern Studies, Islamic Studies, or Arabic Studies. Regardless of students' diverse backgrounds, Tübingen's degree program aims to equalize their knowledge levels through an introductory blocked political science course. Tübingen’s non-Arabic-speaking students with a political science background complete intensive Arabic language classes, whereas students with area studies backgrounds or from the AUC focus on political science courses to build a solid foundation in research methods and theories of political science. Through courses on development politics, Middle Eastern politics, and societies, as well as on regime change and democratization, all students graduate with a deep and theoretically informed understanding of political dynamics worldwide, including autocratization trends. The curriculum is regularly updated to reflect new empirical trends and academic research in political science.
Elective courses offer additional perspectives, focussing inter alia on protest movements, International Relations, Political Economy, conflict analysis, development cooperation, or the political impact of new media.
During their third term, CMEPS students stay at the partner university to experience political science on another continent, develop intercultural competence, and enhance their language skills. The jointness of the degree program also manifests in the master thesis module: All students take a joint colloquium and have supervisors and examiners from both the American University in Cairo and the University of Tübingen for their master’s thesis as well as for their oral thesis defense. Excursions and a mandatory internship complete the students’ qualification.
The CMEPS program features a unique structure to hone students’ skills in their original area of knowledge and to add another complementary academic discipline to their portfolio.
Tübingen's CMEPS program kicks off with an intensive introductory political science course before the start of the semester. A study trip to international organizations, 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 terms, all students take the core CMEPS political science courses such as Comparative Politics of the Middle East, Regime Change and Democratization, Comparative Theories of Political Science, and International Cooperation and Development. Additionally, students can choose a few elective courses during their first three terms. 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, new media’s political impact, or political regime analysis.
At the beginning of the third semester, all students from AUC and Tübingen attend a joint online intensive methods course in view of the pending M.A. proposals. During their third term, 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 Tuebingen. The students also take German classes at the University of Tübingen. Furthermore, students start working on their master's thesis during the third term 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 M.A. thesis proposals at a joint colloquium with professors from both universities.
During their fourth term, students write their M.A. thesis and complete their oral defense vis-a-vis the examiners of both Universities. During one of the semester breaks or during the fourth semester, students complete an internship.
The program in a nutshell
- Joint Master's Program of the University of Tuebingen and the American University in Cairo.
- Start: Beginning of September at AUC, Beginning of October at Tübingen University.
- Available Spots: 20 places in total, 10 at each institution.
- Duration: four semesters (two years), full time
- Timeframe semester abroad:
- Tübingen Students: 3rd semester, September to the end of December. Tübingen students return physically to Tübingen in early January.
- AUC Students: 3rd semester, October to early February.
- Timeframe Joint Master Colloquium: Early/mid-January in the 3rd semester, in presence in Tübingen.
- ECTS points: 120 ECTS.
- Language of instruction: English.
- Application Deadlines: April 1st (AUC) and May 15th (Tübingen).
- University fees for Tübingen Students:
- EU, EEA, ACP citizens, or other qualification for exemption of tuition fees: Administrative fee only (about 160€ per semester).
- International students: About 1500€ per semester.
- Find more information at the FAQ (hyperlink: FAQ: How much are the admission and tuition fees?).
- University fees for AUC Students: Please inquire here for the most up-to-date information. Students have to subscribe to AUC’s health insurance, which is about 250 US dollars per month.
- Stipends for AUC Students are provided by DAAD upon availability, but their availability cannot be guaranteed. Find more information in the FAQ.
Keywords: Comparative Politics, Middle East Politics, MENA region, North Africa, Arabic, Cultures and Civil Societies of the Middle East, International Political Economy, Development Politics and International Cooperation, Regime Change and Democratization, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Authoritarianism, Autocratization and Authoritarianization.
An integrated semester abroad at the partner university, either in Cairo, Egypt, or Tübingen, Germany, presents a valuable opportunity for students to enhance their language skills and immerse themselves in a foreign culture. Through firsthand experience, CMEPS students encounter differences in academic cultures, diverse research perspectives, and global research standards. Joint classes foster personal interaction among Egyptian, German, and other international students, expanding their cultural, academic, and personal horizons. Intercultural experiences in day-to-day interactions and courses at universities on different continents contribute to the enrichment of students’ language skills and to the overall study experience, making the semester abroad a cherished highlight of our program. As specified in the cooperation agreement between the AUC and the University of Tübingen, the program incorporates one exchange semester for all students of the CMEPS degree program. Students all meet physically in Tübingen upon the conclusion of the exchange semester at AUC for the colloquium dedicated to their Master's thesis in mid-January at the Tuebingen castle.
What participants say about the term abroad:
"In Tübingen, I got exposed to a different study setting, complete with unique class assignments, international students with inspiring perspectives and challenging questions, and an altogether "foreign" or yet unfamiliar space that pushed my boundaries of self-development. Studying abroad enriched my cultural sensitivity and openness to differences. Besides improving my beginner-level German through small everyday encounters with native speakers, the semester abroad in Tübingen led me to meet amazing people and faculty members with whom I am still in touch. I genuinely loved living in a student dorm with many interesting personalities who grew on me as we communally cooked dinner so often together in the shared kitchen. Dorm life was just an extension of the friendliness I encountered elsewhere in Tübingen, which, despite being a small city that is worlds apart from bustling Cairo, is such a cozy, homey "student city." A bus or train ride a few hours beyond the city's environs also offered excellent opportunities to wander around during Christmas break."
Dalia Ismail Abdelnabi, Egyptian CMEPS Student at AUC
"My exchange semester at AUC and living in Cairo allowed me to make friends from all over the world and practice my Arabic on a daily basis. Classes were challenging but incredibly rewarding and worthwhile. I enjoyed reading books from AUC library's seemingly unlimited collection in the beautiful, calming campus garden. I particularly enjoyed the Arabic classes at AUC as they gave me the necessary confidence and practice to speak more fluently and learn new idiomatic phrases I could use in everyday conversations. I loved AUC's various sports facilities, concerts, festivals, panel discussions, and day trips for students. Thanks to the exchange semester at AUC, I got a clearer idea of my interests and passions and what path I would like to pursue in the future."
Leonie Mühlbauer, German CMEPS Student at the University of Tübingen
As a joint degree of the Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, and the American University in Cairo (AUC), the close partnership and exchange between both universities lie at the heart of the CMEPS program's success. Both universities’ excellence in research and teaching about the MENA region makes the program a vital link between East and West.
Founded in 1477, the University of Tübingen’s commitment to excellence and innovation in research and teaching makes it one of the oldest and most respected universities in Germany. The CMEPS degree program, with its problem-oriented and theory-driven approach to studying political dynamics, democracy, state-society relations, and development, capitalizes on Tübingen's extensive research expertise in the MENA region. As one of the top-ranked institutions in Germany, the Institute of Political Science excels in comparative political science research, particularly focusing on non-OECD countries with a special emphasis on the Middle East and North Africa. Language instruction and cultural studies related to the Middle East are provided by the Department of Oriental and Islamic Studies.
Established in 1919, the American University in Cairo (AUC) is the region’s premier English-language university today, playing a pivotal role in shaping the social, political, and cultural landscape of the Arab world. In an increasingly interconnected global society, the AUC bridges East and West through its scholarly research, comprehensive study-abroad programs, and collaborative partnerships with academic research institutions worldwide. AUC places a strong emphasis on leadership skills and lifelong learning among its graduates, thereby making significant contributions to Egypt and the broader international community across diverse fields.
The CMEPS program features a unique structure to foster and further the diverse expertise that the students bring to the program. Prospective students must have a background in political science or a profound knowledge of Arabic. CMEPS is open to all nationalities, and since the start of the degree program in 2013, students from all continents (except for Antarctica) have indeed been admitted to the program. As the tuition fees are accessible at Tübingen and partially funded for AUC students, each cohort consists of a colorful mix of students from the most variegated backgrounds. During their studies, they are also exposed to a diverse environment of instructors, national backgrounds, and institutional cultures. CMEPS students regularly give feedback that the diverse and relatively small CMEPS cohorts are a key asset of the program and stimulate the study experience.
At Tübingen, students have either a first degree in political science or a related social science discipline or in Middle Eastern Studies, Islamic Studies, or Arabic Studies. Regardless of students' backgrounds, Tübingen's program aims to equalize their knowledge levels.
Throughout their studies, students critically analyze the relationship between societies and states in the MENA region, exploring social and political transformations. Key topics include comparative politics, development politics, international cooperation, regime change, and democratization. Students can tailor their studies by selecting elective modules, focusing on subjects such as international political economy, peace and conflict resolution, or aspects of Middle Eastern culture and societies. To bridge theory and practice, the program includes study trips to international organizations, development agencies, and significant political and cultural institutions in the host countries.
For students with area studies backgrounds and students at AUC, courses in political science research methods and theories guarantee a solid foundation in political science research methods and theories. Tübingen’s non-Arabic-speaking students with a political science background complete intensive Arabic language classes based on their individual skill levels.
This ensures students possess a well-rounded understanding of both the predominant language of the Middle East as well as the tools to understand its politics and societies.
An exchange semester at the partner university enhances the student’s language skills and immerses them in a different culture. Joint classes foster personal interactions between students from both institutions. Additionally, an internship provides practical and intercultural experiences.
Irrespective of their first degree, by the end of their studies, CMEPS students will have a unique profile that combines advanced knowledge of comparative politics with a strong specialization in the politics, society, cultures, and language of the Arab Middle East. Graduates find it easy to adapt to new social, cultural, linguistic, or corporate cultures and environments since it has been an integral part of the entire program. Their “cross-cultural skills” contribute to the competitive edge that CMEPS graduates enjoy when they enter today’s global labor markets.
Recognized in Germany, Egypt, and the United States, the CMEPS program offers graduates excellent job prospects in academic and non-academic fields. Graduates are equipped to work in top universities, governmental or private research institutions, as well as in development cooperation, diplomacy, NGOs, political foundations, and think tanks.
To get to know examples of alumni and students' career paths, have a look at their testimonies.
If you're interested in applying to the joint CMEPS program, please visit our apply page!
What practitioners say
“CMEPS is an important study program in the field of Comparative Politics, with brilliant students from diverse backgrounds.”
Prof. Dr. Erica Frantz, Michigan
Associate Professor in Political Science at Michigan State University (MSU)
“As a Professor of Practice at AUC’s School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, I know the CMEPS program and can highly recommend it to anyone interested in international cooperation and diplomacy. With its truly global student body and terms abroad at the respective partner university, it is policy-oriented and makes international understanding and tolerance for differing views a daily experience already during graduate studies.”
Aly Erfan, Cairo
Ambassador (retired), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Egypt; Former Chef du Cabinet to the Secretary General, League of Arab States
“International diplomacy needs people who have solid training in critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and a high level of cross-cultural skills. This is what CMEPS provides. It educates its international student body in the analytical skills, as well as in empathy for the respective other, that are needed to find solutions to complex conflicts and to regulate them peacefully – probably more so than most other programs of its kind.”
Martin Kobler, Berlin
Ambassador and Former Director General, German Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Former UN Special Envoy to the DR Congo, to Iraq and to Libya
"I have participated as an external advisor in the annual CMEPS International Research Colloquium, where outlines of Master’s projects from Cairo and Tübingen students are presented and critically discussed – one of the many stand-alone features of this program. The level of students is excellent, and the dedication of professors from both sides, who seek to bring out the best of students’ talents, is unrivaled. I would like to wish the program continued success in representing one of the best of its kind worldwide."
Tamirace Fakhoury, Copenhagen
Associate Professor of Political Science, Aalborg University Copenhagen (DK); Visiting Professor University of California, Berkeley
"CMEPS is one of the very few internationally outstanding political science degree programs offered jointly by a university in the Middle East and in Europe. With this program, the American University in Cairo and Tübingen University accomplish first-class international education at the interface of comparative politics, area studies, political science, and international affairs – probably the best in Europe."
Dr. Hürcan Asli Aksoy, Berlin
Head of Centre for Applied Turkey Studies, SWP (German Institute for International and Security Affairs)
"I gained insights into the CMEPS program on the occasion of its 10th anniversary at Tübingen; this is really an amazing and unique program that delivers an exceptional learning experience and wonderful opportunities for its students. The colleagues who run it are truly dedicated to offering the very best education and value for money that they can. I also had the opportunity to meet and discuss with CMEPS graduates who have successfully transitioned from university to professional lives both inside and outside academia, either in their home countries or elsewhere, in the fields that CMEPS educates for. Best wishes for the program’s future development into a jointly offered degree go to my colleagues at both AUC and Tübingen!"
Emma Murphy, Durham
Professor of Political Economy, Durham University (UK)
"CMEPS is an extraordinary program. The students are outstanding. It provides access to top-notch faculty both in Tübingen and in Cairo. It equips students very effectively for further academic training and for a wide range of careers in government, the nonprofit sector, and the private sector. Relative to programs offered by peer institutions, it is also a tremendous bargain. I encourage any student considering advanced training in Middle East politics and society to give CMEPS his or her attention."
Steven Heydemann, Washington D.C.
Jane W. Ketcham 1953 Chair of Middle East Studies, Smith College; Northampton (US) Former Senior Vice President, United States Institute of Peace
"CMEPS is a first-choice program with academic rigor that is not located in the proverbial ivory tower but provides first-class, close-to-policy training for future decision-makers. I have witnessed its evolution. Then, working for NATO headquarters, Brussels, I was involved as an advisor from political practice in the development of the CMEPS degree program even before its first intake of students; I also served as a member of the selection committee for students and have been following the trajectory of this program since its beginnings. I have seen how new topics have been added to the CMEPS program, helping the program to offer a hands-on course at the intersection of political science, development, international cooperation, and diplomacy. Highly recommended!"
Dr. Rolf Schwarz, Paris
Senior Advisor, OECD Development Cooperation Directorate
"As Crisis Group's MENA Program Director, I have repeatedly had the pleasure of meeting students of the CMEPS Master’s degree program during their field trips to Brussels. These bright, engaging, and inquisitive young people bring with them diverse and international backgrounds, thought-provoking questions, and impressive topical knowledge of regional affairs. I am always happy to receive the program's students and congratulate CMEPS on its 10th anniversary."
Joost Hiltermann, Brussels
MENA Program Director and former COO, The International Crisis Group
What students and alumni say
“CMEPS is a life-changing learning experience, coming from Cairo to Tubingen for 3 months was not just an eye-opening experience for me but a new window of opportunities opened in my life. I was able to better understand the European lifestyle and the quality of the lectures and discussions was kind of unique as we were able to get insights on global issues from renowned experts in the field and I had the chance to meet fellow students from different parts of the world. The key takeaway from my CMEPS experience is never to lose connection and never wait at your desk for information, go after it, and always seek challenging and unvisited experiences. It is not just a normal exchange opportunity, it will be your opportunity to really go global and think wider and enrich your knowledge for a better, fruitful future.”
Shady El-Sherif, M.A., Cohort 6
Executive Manager at the Information and Decision Support Center
“Having received invitation letters from London, Edinburgh, and Lund, I opted for CMEPS, because I found the opportunity to live and study in Egypt truly unique. Yet the program offered so much more: theoretical and empirical insights to succeed not only in academia but also in the think tank world, civil society, and international institutions. Rolling hills surrounding Tübingen and its mixture of historical charm and youthful energy provided a perfect setting to do my M.A. Not to mention a close circle of like-minded coursemates, whom I am happy to call friends and colleagues to this day.”
Žilvinas Švedkauskas, M.A., Cohort 4
PhD Candidate at the University of Tübingen and Director at Baltic think & do tank OSMOS
“CMEPS is an interdisciplinary master's program that integrates a regional concentration on the Middle East and North Africa within the framework of political science. The program’s language of instruction is exclusively in English. This fosters a unique international and intercultural learning environment in Germany, making it accessible to students worldwide who are interested in this field but may not have proficiency in German. The curriculum’s significant emphasis on Modern Standard Arabic, coupled with the chance for an exchange experience in Cairo, greatly influenced my decision to apply to CMEPS. Over the past two years, I have gained valuable insights into the region, become acquainted with the Arabic language and its various dialects, and accumulated a wealth of experiences through my participation in this program.”
Ayşe Bozkurt, Cohort 9
“The CMEPS joint master's program promises to intrigue and challenge students interested in MENA politics specifically and comparative politics more generally. I found the range of offered classes at both the American University in Cairo and Tübingen Universitat to be in conversation with the dominant themes characterizing the region, albeit with enough legroom to critique and build on existing narratives. It was refreshing to attend seminars whose instructors adapted course outlines to account for current hot topics and suggest recent readings fresh out of publishing houses. Overall, this M.A. has helped me form a bird's eye view of several bodies of literature before guiding me to systematically zoom in on specific themes within my research interests up close.”
Dalia Ismail Abdelnabi, Cohort 9
“By choosing the CMEPS M.A. program, you are not just getting a Master's degree; you are opening a door with amazing opportunities to gain a comprehensive understanding of Middle East politics and society through an impressive array of courses taught by professionals, to learn Arabic, one of the most spoken languages in the world, as well as to get a unique chance to broaden your horizons and immerse yourself in the life of the region by going to the American University in Cairo for one semester. Don't miss the opportunity to improve your academic and professional prospects by joining the CMEPS program!”
Elizaveta Kovalchuk, Cohort 9