GET MA – Global and European Transformations (German-Turkish Master's Programme in Social Sciences) Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

METU Ankara (Middle East Technical University)

All courses are taught in English. German or Turkish language skills are welcome but not necessary. Language courses of both languages will be provided in Ankara as part of the GET MA programme. During the academic year in Berlin, students can take elective courses either in German or in English.

GET MA – Global and European Transformations – is a double-degree Master's programme in Social Sciences. Our programme is designed to provide students from around the world with an excellent education and prepare them for international careers in diplomacy, public administration, policy consulting, journalism, NGOs or academia. With the opportunity to study in two dynamic European capitals – Berlin, Germany, and Ankara, Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye, or Türkiye) – we offer our students a variety of academic and cultural perspectives and experiences.

Double Degree in Social Sciences

The English-taught GET MA programme is offered by two leading universities: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara. All students spend the first year of the programme together at METU before transferring to Berlin for the second year. Graduates receive a Master of Arts degree from both universities (double degree).

Interdisciplinary Focus

The programme is interdisciplinary. Renowned faculty provide analytical perspectives from various sub-disciplines of political science (international relations, comparative politics, political theory) and sociology (sociology of migration, transformation of societies). Through this multi-perspectivity, students acquire skills during their studies that qualify them for future careers in various professional fields.

Studying Global and European Transformations

The GET MA programme provides an in-depth understanding of theoretical approaches to the analysis of transformation processes caused by globalisation, Europeanisation, and modernisation: the challenges to the rule of law posed by populism, the challenges to EU institutions arising from enlargement and neighbourhood policy, the changes in security policy caused by new global conflicts, and the effects of migration.

To gain a comprehensive understanding of these issues, Germany and Türkiye will be examined in their respective historical, economic, and social contexts. Both countries look back on centuries of complex and intertwined history, with both similarities and differences.

Today, both countries are of regional importance and shape international politics: Germany as the largest member of the EU and Türkiye as a bridge between Europe and Asia. This complexity and multilayered nature make a comparative view of both countries particularly valuable for the analysis of global and European transformations.

Comprehensive Support and a Network that Lasts a Lifetime

The GET MA programme fosters a strong family-like community during the two years of study. It offers comprehensive academic and personal support, as well as an open door for questions of all kinds and assistance in finding a job. After graduation, alumni benefit from an active network. Students value being part of a vibrant global community that continually expands their personal and professional network and builds long-term relationships.

May/June for the following winter semester
Please see website (hu-berlin.de/getma) for details.

Programme Overview

The programme is operated by two top universities: the Department of Social Sciences of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the Graduate School of Social Sciences of the Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara.

Due to the international profile of GET MA, the language of instruction for courses is English. However, students take additional language classes in Turkish or German or a third language throughout the academic year in Ankara and may choose additional language courses in Berlin as well.

The programme helps students to enrich their academic experience by providing them with the opportunity to undertake a six to 12 weeks long internship during the summer break before the second year.

Academic Programme

GET MA offers academic courses on various topics in the field of social sciences such as modernisation, Europeanisation and migration. Students deepen their empirical knowledge of political processes using Germany, Türkiye and other countries or regions of Europe as examples.

Interdisciplinary Focus

Teaching and research have an interdisciplinary focus: the programme covers various sub-disciplines of political science as well as sociology while incorporating cultural and economic questions into the course curricula. This is made possible by engaging highly qualified professors from different academic schools in the programme.

Joint Teaching

A specific characteristic of GET MA is "Joint Teaching": Each semester one course is taught by faculty members from both partner universities. By experiencing academics from Germany and Türkiye within one course, GET MA students come to understand research topics from different perspectives while benefiting from the long-standing teaching traditions of both universities.

Courses

The courses of the study programme offer a specialised perspective on current academic and political debates in these fields by using the examples of Türkiye and Germany.

Looking at the interplay of politics and society in German-Turkish relations as well as the European dimension of domestic and foreign politics in both countries will help students to cultivate the theoretical and methodical tools used in comparative politics, integration studies, and analyses of social and political change.

Additional Courses

Most GET MA courses are taught specifically for GET MA students, some may be conducted together with our other international MA programmes.

In addition, elective courses that are related to the topics of the GET MA study programme and allow students to acquire a broader perspective can be chosen from the course catalogues of both universities and other universities in Berlin.

Internship

In order to complement their academic experience, students complete a six to 12 weeks internship after their first year of studies, thereby gaining valuable insight into potential careers in Germany, Türkiye, or elsewhere.

All students spend the first year of the programme together at METU in Türkiye before transferring to Berlin for the second year. 

All students complete a compulsory internship.

2,500 EUR

Additionally, enrolment fees of around 315 EUR have to be paid in the third and fourth semesters at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. This amount includes service fees (around 110 EUR) as well as a seasonal student ticket for public transport ("Semesterticket") in and around Berlin for six months (around 200 EUR).

BA or equivalent in a relevant subject area (humanities, social sciences, etc.) from a recognised institution of higher education
The minimum admission requirement is an above-average BA degree, e.g. a cumulative grade point average of between 2.50 and 4.00, equivalent to 70% to 100%. Students who graduate in the ongoing semester must include a confirmation by the registrar's office stating the exact date of graduation.

All applicants must provide proof of their English skills:
TOEFL (at least 79 points iBT), METU Proficiency Exam (at least 65 points)

May/June for the following winter semester
Please see website (hu-berlin.de/getma) for details.

GET MA offers a limited number of DAAD scholarships for non-German students and a limited number of tuition fee reductions for qualified students of all nationalities.

The GET MA team frequently provides information on: career services, internships, and job searches.

Providing advice and support to our international and German GET MA students is very important to us: before, during and after their studies. Due to our open-door policy, we are always available for our students. We help our students with bureaucratic processes (e.g. visa and residence formalities, enrolment at the university, health insurance, etc.), and also with personal issues (e.g. finding accommodation, orientation in the new city).

Administrative and professional support is guaranteed during the entire period of study. We are also happy to help with the search for internships or for supervisors for the final thesis.

As one of eleven German universities, the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin was chosen as a University of Excellence. It was successful in all three funding lines in the third round of the Excellence Initiative of the German federal and state governments and was awarded for its future concept "Educating Enquiring Minds: Individuality – Openness – Guidance". In an international comparison, Humboldt-Universität ranks among the top ten German universities. Scientists at Humboldt-Universität research socially relevant topics and challenges of the future and communicate these with the public. Humboldt-Universität invests all of its energy into being a place of excellent research and teaching. Its aim is to promote young talent and to positively influence society and the economy outside of the university framework.
Every year, over 5,000 young people decide to embark on their studies at Humboldt-Universität in the heart of Berlin. There is hardly any other place where students can choose from the same variety of degree courses. Among these degree courses are several international Master's programmes featuring lectures and seminars held in English.
As a first-rate university, international exchange for both research and study programmes is a matter of course. Humboldt-Universität boasts academic partnerships with more than 400 Erasmus partners in Europe and with over 150 university partners worldwide. It also has partnerships with two Erasmus Mundus programmes. Over 1,500 mobile students participate in its four Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Windows programmes.
Every year, about 800 academics from abroad spend time at Berlin's oldest university. Additionally, researchers from Humboldt-Universität are welcomed at various international universities, where they conduct projects or field studies and teach as guest lecturers. Humboldt-Universität helps students prepare to study abroad, providing consultation to international students and academics regarding all questions relating to their stay in Berlin. Through the creation of international networks, Humboldt-Universität plays an active role in furthering intercultural research and teaching.

This unique programme offers students the opportunity to study in the capital cities of both Germany and Türkiye: Berlin and Ankara.