FAQ – CMEPS

Hold a B.A. degree or equivalent in Political Science or related social science (to start your CMEPS studies at AUC or in Tübingen), or
Hold a B.A. degree or equivalent in Middle East Studies, Islamic Studies, or a related discipline (to start your CMEPS studies in Tübingen) and
Provide evidence of your proficiency in English, e.g. through a TOEFL or IELTS certificate. Please find more information here (Link Rubrik “Do I need to prove my English language skills to apply?”

I don’t have my B.A. certificate and final grades yet. Can I apply?

Yes. Please apply with your most up-to-date transcript of records. In this case, your final B.A. certificate must be handed to the admissions office as soon as it has been issued.

Which bachelor's degree qualifies me to study in the CMEPS program?

A bachelor's degree or equivalent in Political Science or a related social science (at AUC and in Tübingen) or in Middle East Studies, Islamic Studies, or a related discipline (in Tübingen) qualifies you to study in the CMEPS program.
In any case of doubt regarding the eligibility of your B.A. degree, we highly encourage you to apply to our program. Every application will be reviewed and considered. The assessment of the eligibility of your B.A. degree will be done by the selection committee during the section procedure and can not be assessed before your application.

At the University of Tübingen, admissions are restricted to applicants with a BA degree of 2.5 or above (in the German grading system, equivalent to a grade between B- and C+ in the American grading system). At the AUC, your final grade needs to be a 3.2 GPA or higher.

Can I apply to the CMEPS program with a degree in Middle East Studies or in Islamic Studies?

Students with a B.A. degree in Middle East Studies or Islamic Studies can apply for the CMEPS program in Tübingen, as a ‘two tracks’ system is available. Already having a sound knowledge of Arabic, they will take courses in political science methods during their first year (and some advanced Arabic), while their peers with a first degree in political science will take Arabic lessons. At the AUC, no two-track system is available. Hence, a first degree in political science or a similar field is required to apply at the AUC.

Do I need to prove my English language skills to apply?

English is the language of instruction of the CMEPS program. Language skills in English need to be certified through a certificate for applying.

The following proofs are accepted:

a TOEFL test, with a total score of at least 90 points in total and a minimum of 21 points in each section of the internet-based test (iBT).
an Academic IELTS, with a score of at least 6.5 in total and at least 7 in the writing section.
If applying at Tuebingen, the certificate has to be uploaded to the online application! In case your TOEFL test has expired, please upload it nonetheless, it might still be accepted. You need to upload an English certificate in the online form in order to fulfill the formal conditions.
If applying at AUC, please also refer to its website section “Application Checklists For Master’s and Graduate Diploma Programs” to learn about its required English test scores. The test has to be valid on your first day of classes at AUC. Unofficial results suffice for processing, but official results are needed before final admission.

If applying at Tuebingen, the following students are exempted from certifying their English language skills:

students who have successfully completed a first degree program exclusively in English
students with a recognized higher education entrance qualification which was obtained in English and in a country whose first official language is English or which was obtained in a sovereign function of one of these countries.

The evaluation of the suitability of your language proof is not determined prior to the application process. The applicants should assess whether their language proof or certificate aligns with the above-outlined specifications.

Do I need to prove my language skills in Arabic or in German to apply?

During their studies, CMEPS students studying in Tübingen will take language classes in Arabic. Previous knowledge of Arabic or German is not required, except for students with a first degree in Islamic Studies or equivalent who apply at Tübingen and will pursue the “political science” track. These students need to prove advanced Arabic skills to apply.
Students, either from the University of Tübingen or students studying at AUC may take extracurricular German classes during their studies in Tübingen. There is no general need to know or learn German in CMEPS, although it facilitates everyday life. Taking a German course might be required if you receive a stipend from a German funding institution, e.g. from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

How are applicants selected?

The selection of students is based on the applicant's academic capabilities, personal qualifications, and motivation. The application is very competitive. When it comes to the selection process, the most relevant factor for selection is the applicant's B.A. degree grade.
Activities such as internships or work experience that are relevant in the field of political science, such as university assistant jobs, internships in a politician's office, think tanks, foundations, or a political civil society sector increase the chances of being selected.
A letter of recommendation from a university professor increases an applicant's chances as well.
Lastly, a concise, well-structured, and well-written letter of motivation that displays close engagement with the study program and the curriculum leaves a positive impression on the applicant.
Information you provide during the online application about German language skills will not affect an applicant's chances of being selected for a place of study.

Is there a numerus clausus (NC)?

At the University of Tübingen, admission to the application process is restricted to applicants holding a BA degree of 2.5 or better in the German grading system (this is equivalent to a grade between B- and C+ in the American grading system).

At the AUC, a bachelor’s degree needs to show a final mark of 3.2 GPA or better.

I have a degree higher than B.A. Can I apply?

Yes, you can apply for CMEPS with a degree higher than a Bachelor's (B.A.). However, during the application selection process, only your B.A. grade will be considered. Additionally, please note that Tübingen’s exemption of tuition fees for nationals and other qualified individuals may expire. Therefore, it's advised to check the current policy regarding tuition fees and funding at both universities.

Do I need to provide certified copies and/or a translation of my degree?

Please ensure you provide an official translation of your degree if it is not in German, English, or French.

For commencing CMEPS at Tübingen you will need to provide a printed and certified copy of your B.A. degree after gaining admission within the first weeks of your stay in Tübingen. The respective original document can be copied and certified at any citizen center (“Bürgeramt”) in Germany. You do not need any certified copies to apply for Tübingen, since uploading scans of the original documents to the application platform “ALMA” completes the application process.

At AUC, you must provide a certified copy of your degree/transcript when applying to the program. If your degree is not issued in English or Arabic, please include a certified translation. You will need to provide your official academic records, including the final transcript of the bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, showing courses and grades, and proof of degree completion. The transcript and proof of degree completion need to have official stamps and signatures. An official enrollment certificate and/or the equivalency from the Egyptian Supreme Council of Universities may also be required. Original documents can be returned to the applicants at a later date. Please also refer to AUC’s website.

Where and how should I apply?

For applications at the University of Tübingen, please use the online application system ALMA:
Kindly note that submissions via email or postal mail are not accepted.
Please read the provided information carefully and follow the required steps as outlined in the online application system.

In the very first step of the application, you are asked to select the semester you are applying for. Please ensure you choose the appropriate winter term. It is important to note that applications for the summer term are not possible, and admission to the program for the second semester is also not possible.

For applications at the American University in Cairo, please apply here.

When applying to AUC, choose "Graduate Admissions" and specify "Fall 202x" as the entry date. Also, select the MA in Political Science, Comparative and Middle East Politics and Society (CMEPS). For further application details at AUC, refer to this site.

Which documents do I need to apply?

Regarding the University of Tübingen, you need to upload the following documents with your application:

High School Diploma
B.A. certificate or, if not yet available, the most up-to-date transcripts of records
Curriculum Vitae, English
Letter of motivation (up to two pages), English
Proof of English language requirements

Optional documents

Evidence of other achievements (internships, work experience, etc.)
Letter of recommendation of an academic referee. Their contact details should be stated in the CV

Please provide all documents (CV, motivation letter, etc.) in English language. As an exception, certificates from a university, an internship employer, or another institution in German or French language do not require translation.

To apply at the AUC, you need to submit the following documents with your application:

Official transcript from your graduating university
Curriculum Vitae
At least two online letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic or professional background
Statement of Purpose
If you are not an AUC Graduate, then proof of English language skills (either TOEFL or IELTS)
2 passport-sized photographs
Copy of your passport
Please note that you will need to pay an application fee of 350 L.E. for the AUC application

When is the application deadline?

The application window for Tübingen spans each year from February to May 15th, with no provision for late submissions. Application is only possible during that regular time frame.

The early admission deadline at AUC for the Fall semester is scheduled for mid-December, and the late admission deadline is set for the End of March. However, for the most accurate and up-to-date information on these dates, please inquire at the AUC’s website as they may be subject to change.

Are there any more steps involved in the process of application for Tübingen?

The application process is done by completing the application at ALMA and uploading all relevant documents there. The selection committee reserves the right to invite applicants for an interview on rare occasions, but usually, that does not take place. No other procedures are foreseen.

How does the enrollment process work at Tübingen?

In case of receiving a letter of acceptance, you will be given a short timespan to send a scan of your hand-signed enrollment documents via email to the administration of Tübingen University. These documents will be provided via the ALMA platform. The sending of the signed scans then completes your enrollment. If you fail to send the hand-signed enrollment document via email within the given deadline, you will lose your admission. Furthermore, you will be asked to hand in printed and certified copies of relevant documents (e.g., your B.A. degree) within the first weeks of your stay in Tübingen at the administration. The respective documents can be certified at low cost at any citizen center (“Bürgeramt”) in Germany.

When and how will I know whether my application was successful?

Starting with the application deadline, we inspect all received applications and try to inform the successful candidates as soon as possible. However, applications are just reviewed at the end of the application period. We thank you for your understanding that this process may take up to 6-8 weeks, depending on the number of applications received.

For Tübingen, letters of acceptance are usually provided at the middle or end of June via ALMA. Letters of rejection and a ranking on the waiting list are distributed via ALMA a few weeks later. Please log in to ALMA with the username and password that you created at the beginning of the application process to review the status of your application.

AUC applicants who applied before December 15th receive notification of their status by the end of March. AUC applicants who applied before April 1st receive notification of their status by the end of July.

All other Questions

When does the first Semester start?

What is the difference between applying to Tuebingen and applying to AUC?

What is the structure of CMEPS studies?

When will CMEPS students at both universities get to know each other?

How much are the admission and tuition fees?

Who will supervise the Master’s Thesis?

How does the exchange program work?

What should I keep in mind regarding the exchange?

Can I spend more than one exchange semester at the partner university?

How does the CMEPS program provide insights into practice?

How does the internship in the CMEPS program work?

When does the internship take place?

What expenses should I expect?

Is there funding for students?

Answers to all Other Questions:

When does the first semester start?

If you are part of the Tuebingen cohort, your CMEPS studies start with a compulsory blocked course in early October.

If you are part of the AUC cohort, your CMEPS studies start with an orientation at the end of August.

What is the difference between applying to Tuebingen and applying to AUC?

Each annual CMEPS cohort consists of two groups: the “Tuebingen cohort” and “AUC cohort”. Each cohort group starts at their “home university”. Different fees and funding opportunities apply, depending on where you start your studies. Generally speaking, AUC has higher fees but usually also more funding opportunities, while the selection process is more competitive at the University of Tuebingen. All CMEPS students graduate with a Joint Degree certificate from both universities and study the same core courses.

What is the structure of CMEPS studies?

The Tuebingen cohort studies the first and second semesters at Tuebingen, spends its third semester at the American University in Cairo (AUC), and completes the M.A. thesis during the fourth semester with supervisors from both universities.

The AUC cohort studies the first and second semesters at AUC, spends its third semester at the University of Tuebingen, and completes the M.A. thesis during the fourth semester with supervisors from both universities.

When will CMEPS students at both universities get to know each other?

From the outset of the program, CMEPS students will connect with each other through social networking sites. Additionally, all students will participate in a joint International Development and Cooperation course at the AUC, as well as a joint colloquium for presenting their master thesis proposals in Tübingen by their third semester.

How much are the admission and tuition fees?

At Tübingen, students from an EU country, the European Economic Area (EEA), or one of the ACP States are automatically exempt from all tuition fees. The same is true for students with a German higher education entrance qualification, family members (spouses, de facto partners, children) of citizens of EU and EEA countries, non-EU or EEA citizens who have an EU residence permit, non-EU or EEA citizens with permanent residence in Germany who have been legally present in Germany without interruption for at least 15 months, non-EU or EEA citizens who have been present in Germany for five years and have been legally employed, Non-EU or EEA citizens with at least one parent who has lived in Germany for a total of 3 of the 6 years prior to the start of the applicant’s studies, and non-EU or EEA citizens who have completed a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree or a Staatsexamen or diploma study program.
Universities in Baden-Württemberg have levied tuition fees for international students and students taking a second degree since the winter semester of 2017/18. International students (i.e., students who are not citizens of an EU/EEA member state) will be charged a tuition fee of about 1,500 euros per semester. Please find more information on tuition fees here. Students with a significant disability which hinders their studies may apply for an exemption.

An administrative fee of about 160€ at the beginning of each term applies to every University of Tübingen student.

During their exchange semester, students continue to pay the regular tuition fees to their home university instead of paying fees to the host university.

For information on tuition fees at the AUC, please refer to the AUC’s website.

To apply at AUC, you will have to pay an application fee equal to 50 US dollars. Students have to subscribe to AUC’s health insurance, which is about 250 US dollars per month.

Please also consider funding opportunities (Link->”FAQS: Is there Funding for students?”) for studying CMEPS

Who will supervise the Master’s Thesis?

The master’s thesis is jointly supervised by a faculty member of each university. The oral defense is held by supervisors from both universities, as well.

How does the exchange program work?

During their third term, CMEPS students do a semester at the respective partner university, where they have to accomplish a predetermined amount of ECTS and courses. Tübingen students take an Arabic course, a political science course, and an elective course at AUC.

Students from the AUC usually take 3-4 courses and may take German classes during their stay in Tübingen. They also participate in the CMEPS field trip together.
In January of the third term, Tübingen Students return to Tübingen and present with their fellow students from AUC their M.A. proposals at a joint colloquium with professors from both universities.
In case a student can not participate in the exchange for justified reasons, a solution that does not involve traveling can be found. It is the student's responsibility to approach the respective program coordinator far in advance to create an individual solution.

What should I keep in mind regarding the exchange?

Before traveling, students will receive a safety briefing.
Tübingen students are required to enroll in AUC's medical insurance.
The CMEPS program does not organize or take responsibility for all aspects of the exchange except for enrolling students at the partner university. Students must independently manage all matters related to their stay abroad, including finances, flight bookings, accommodation, etc. Additionally, they are responsible for independently registering for their elective and mandatory courses at the partner university in advance.
It is strongly advised to connect with previous cohorts to learn about living abroad. The academic program is challenging, so careful planning for the stay and arriving in the other country in advance is highly recommended.

Can I spend more than one exchange semester at the partner university?

Due to a memorandum of understanding between the AUC and the University of Tübingen, only one exchange semester is incorporated into the program. Tübingen University students return to Tübingen upon the conclusion of the exchange semester; not least in order to physically participate in the colloquium dedicated to their Master's thesis in early January. AUC students return to Cairo in February after that colloquium. In the past, a few CMEPS students expanded their stay in Egypt or Germany, respectively, for an internship or for writing their MA thesis, but this needs to be discussed and arranged on a case-by-case basis. CMEPS staff is dedicated to supporting its students in everything that is conducive to their career plans and graduation.

How does the CMEPS program provide insights into practice?

In addition to highly relevant and topical study content throughout the program, students will boost their employability through a mandatory internship in their chosen field of interest. To promote the link between theory and practice, a study trip to international organizations, development agencies, and important political and cultural institutions kicks off the program at Tübingen University. These excursions train the student's ability to navigate in a professional setting and to conduct critical discussions with professionals and policymakers.
Upon availability of funds, excursions encourage the exchange students from both universities to actively engage with their host countries' history, culture, politics, and societies.

How does the internship in the CMEPS program work?

Students complete a compulsory internship in their chosen field of interest. It is the student's responsibility to find and apply for internships until they find an institution that accepts them as an intern. The CMEPS team has a list of institutions to support this process and provides recommendation letters.
CMEPS students did their internships with various international, governmental, and non-governmental organizations, foundations, and private companies in Middle Eastern countries, Europe, and Germany. Among them are the GIZ office in Cairo, the Center for Arab-West Understanding, Ministries and Embassies, the German Institute of Global and Area Studies (GIGA), MasterPeace, Partners in Development, the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation North Africa Office, and the UN-Habitat Egypt Office in the Middle East, to name a few. Other CMEPS students did their internship with the Asylum Counselling at Caritas, Democracy Reporting International, the Eugen-Biser Foundation, France Terre d´Asile, the Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research, and the Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany at the United Nations in Europe.
The internships can be done at any institution and in any country as long as the field of the internship is related to the CMEPS program.
The mandatory timespan for an internship is at least three weeks full-time, but students can expand that if they wish and the employer accepts. While paid internship positions exist, be aware that interns in the field of political science are rarely paid more than 300€ for a full-time internship.

When does the internship take place?

Students do the internship between terms 1 and 2 or after the exchange term. The internship needs to be at least 120 hours (it may also be longer) and earns Tuebingen students ungraded credits for their degree.

What expenses should I expect?

The following section gives a brief estimate of the cost for Tübingen students, which adds to the administration and tuition fees (Link-> How much are the admission and tuition fees?)

Housing in Tübingen is expensive and we highly recommend applying as soon as possible for shared flats. There are also subsidized flats by the “Studierendenwerk”. However, those are limited in number, and we recommend applying as soon as possible for these flats.

The program at Tübingen kicks off with an excursion to Brussels for several days, usually in November of the first semester. Students are obliged to cover their costs, which depend upon the availability of funds. In past excursions, students had to contribute around 300 € which covered the costs since partial funding was available.

Internships in the field of political science are rarely paid more than about 300€ for a full-time internship. Furthermore, it is likely that the internship takes place in another city or even abroad, which implies added expenses.
Regarding the exchange term, students at Tübingen need to organize and pay for their transportation to Cairo, as well as their accommodation at their own expense. Depending on the district, housing and shared flats in Cairo can be less expensive than in Tübingen, but a long drive has to be expected. The AUC offers dorms and rooms at their campus that offer an upscale standard of living, but come with a higher price.
The AUC provides buses from different pick-up locations in Cairo to the campus, which are about 3€ for a one-way trip.
Students at Tübingen need to subscribe to the AUC medical care insurance during their exchange semester, which is around 250 US dollars per month.
During their exchange semester, students continue to pay the regular tuition fees to their home university instead of paying fees to the guest university.

AUC Students have to subscribe to AUC’s health insurance, which is about 250 US dollars per month, which adds up to the tuition fees.

Is there funding for students?

Tuebingen students have the option to apply for an ERASMUS mobility stipend for their stay in Cairo during the exchange term. The availability of this funding varies; as of 2024, two students from the Tuebingen cohort could receive this funding.
Additionally, students can apply to PROMOS for partial funding of their internship, which is typically quite accessible.
Students can only apply for ERASMUS or PROMOS funding once they are enrolled in the program.
We strongly encourage all students to seek external funding opportunities and will provide recommendation letters and other supportive documents if required.

Tuebingen University has been successful in the past in acquiring funding from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for Egyptian students in the AUC cohort. The CMEPS team continuously applies for these funding schemes, although we cannot generally guarantee the funding for future cohorts. As of 2024, several students from the AUC cohort are also eligible to receive ERASMUS mobility stipends for their stay in Tuebingen during the exchange term. For the most up-to-date information regarding the availability of funding, such as DAAD or Erasmus, please inquire at the AUC’s staff via cmeps@aucegypt.edu, since these funding opportunities may be subject to annual changes.
AUC students can apply for other fellowships during their CMEPS studies. Please refer to the AUC’s website for the most up-to-date information on fellowships.
AUC students may also apply for the AUC’s Study Abroad Grants to support their semester at Tübingen, particularly when they are ineligible for the DAAD stipend.

If you have any inquiries about the CMEPS program that our FAQs haven’t addressed, or if you’re interested in learning more, please reach out to us.

For administrative questions specifically related to CMEPS in Tübingen, please consult our student assistants:

Send Mail to CMEPS Assistant

For everything the assistants can not answer, please reach out to the respective program coordinator:

Dr. Mirjam Edel, program coordinator at Tübingen

Send Mail to Dr. Mirjam Edel

Prof. Nadine Sika, program coordinator at Cairo

Send Mail to Prof. Nadine Sika