Comparative and Middle East Politics and Society (CMEPS) University of Tübingen

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 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 elective courses during their stay at Tübingen. The students also take German classes at the University of Tübingen. Furthermore, students start working on their Master's theses during the third semester and prepare their thesis proposals 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.

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)

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

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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.

1,500 EUR

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 200 EUR per semester. This includes use of local public transport free of charge on Mondays to Fridays in the evening, 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 130 EUR).

Estimated basic student expenses are about 950 EUR per month according to the Tübingen Student Services organisation (“Studierendenwerk”), including rent for student accommodation. Rent for private accommodation will be more expensive.

The selection of students is based on academic capabilities, personal qualification and motivation. You are eligible to study in the CMEPS programme if you:

• hold a BA degree or equivalent

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)

• provide evidence of your proficiency in English (see below)

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)

For Tübingen students, there is the opportunity to apply for funding schemes for the exchange semester in Cairo.

Accommodation is available through the student services organisation ("Studierendenwerk") or on the private market. Rooms in student accommodation cost approx. 200 to 440 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 apply for student accommodation through the “Studierendenwerk” at the same time that you apply for admission to the programme (see: https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/halls-of-residence-tuebingen/ and https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/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 “Studierendenwerk” has received proof of your admission.) For further information, check out the “Studierendenwerk” website on housing in Tübingen (https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/).

Information concerning career advisory services:
https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/einrichtungen/verwaltung/iii-studium-und-lehre/ueberfachliche-bildung-und-berufliche-orientierung/career-service/