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Eligibility assessment process - Modern Arabian Politics, Society and Culture (M.A.)

1. Documents to be submitted

The following documents and certifications are required for participation in the eligibility assessment process:

a) Application for admission (online application of the online application portal)

b) Certification of a degree from a subject-relevant bachelor's program in the humanities or social sciences, in particular in Middle Eastern Studies, or certification of a comparable domestic or foreign qualifying university diploma.

c) Certification of skills in English at Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages of the Council of Europe

d) Certified knowledge of the Arabic language, in the scope of at least 30 CP at a German or international university or a university language institute, or through equivalent certifications (such as a higher education entrance qualification obtained at a school where the primary instructional language is Arabic).

e) A letter of approx. one DIN A4 page in length, in which the applicant describes his/her disciplinary expectations for the program and illustrates his/her subject-specific suitability, in relation to their personal commitment, intercultural competence, self-reflective work, practical and international experience in the Near and Middle East and Northern Africa, foreign language skills or academic engagement with topics related to the program (for instance in the form of a thesis).

f) Tabular resume of one DIN A4 page

g) Additional certifications of personal disciplinary suitability, based on the aforementioned letter and resume, as applicable.

2. Criteria for personal disciplinary suitability

Personal disciplinary suitability is evaluated based on the submitted documents, according to the following criteria. A total of up to 110 suitability points can be achieved.

1. Final grade

Up to 50 suitability points are assigned for the final grade point average or, if the final grade point average should not be available, a submitted, calculated average grade on the basis of at least 80% of the credit points required for the bachelor's degree, according to the following key:

Grade points 15.0 to 13.9 (grade 0.7 – 1.0)=> 50 points
Grade points 13.8 to 12.7 (grade 1.1 – 1.4)=> 42 points
Grade points 12.6 to 11.9 (grade 1.5 – 1.7)=> 38 points
Grade points 11.8 to 10.9 (grade 1.8 – 2.0)=> 34 points
Grade points 10.8 to 10.0 (grade 2.1 – 2.3)=> 30 points
Grade points 9.9 to 8.9 (grade 2.4 – 2.7)=> 26 points
Grade points 8.8 to 7.9 (grade 2.8 – 3.0)=> 22 points
Grade points 7.8 to 5.0 (grade 3.1 – 4.0)=> 10 points

(Grade scale according to §28 of the general terms of the Philipps University of Marburg)

2. Extended language skills

Up to 20 points will be awarded for Arabic skills beyond the required 30 CP indicated under point d) (5 points for each additional 6 CP). Native speakers must verify their Arabic skills through a higher education entrance qualification obtained at a school where the primary language of instruction is Arabic, or equivalent certifications.

3. Practical experience 

Up to 20 points will be awarded for verified practical experience through an internship, a study visit, a study abroad program or comparable work in the Arabic world.

10 points will be awarded per country and stay of one to five months, or 20 points for a stay lasting at least 6 months in a country.

4. Suitability letter/ resume

Up to 20 eligibility points will be awarded for the letter and resume according to 1 e) and f).

In their letter, the applicant should describe his/her expectations for the program and illustrates his/her subject-specific suitability, in relation to their personal commitment, intercultural competence, self-reflective work, practical and international experience in the Near and Middle East and Northern Africa, foreign language skills or academic engagement with topics related to the program (for instance in the form of a thesis).

Applicants who have earned at least 55 suitability points in the eligibility assessment procedure are considered suitable.

3. To application

Our deadlines overview provides information about the applicable deadline periods.

Application for a Master's program with a degree from abroad - first semester

Application for a Master's program with a degree from abroad - higher semester

Application for a Master's program with a German degree - first semester

Application for a Master's program with a German degree - higher semester