This MA places a clear emphasis on modern Semitic languages and on the religious minority communities of West Asia and North Africa. The curriculum is research-driven and prepares graduates for careers in academia, museums and cultural institutions, international organisations, and other roles related to the WANA region. Students benefit from close engagement with contemporary international scholarship in Semitic Studies and gain specialised linguistic and cultural expertise.
The programme is emphasises interdisciplinary collaboration across Freie Universität Berlin and with partner universities and institutes in Germany and abroad that focus on Semitic Studies and the Christian Orient. It also maintains active ties with Semitic-speaking communities in Berlin and participates in major research initiatives such as the Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures and Societies. Students have ready access to Berlin’s rich network of WANA-focused institutions, including the Pergamon Museum (Ancient Near East and Islamic Art collections), the Egyptian Museum, the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation’s State Library with its Oriental Department and Turfan Collection, and the House of World Cultures.
Coursework covers a broad range of language, linguistic and cultural history topics. Areas you can study include:
Admissions & practical notes
This two-year, full-time Master's programme is taught in English and offered tuition-free. It is designed as an advanced continuation of undergraduate study, allowing students who already hold a relevant Bachelor's degree to deepen their understanding of the West Asia–North Africa (WANA) region.
The curriculum centers on an in-depth study of Semitic languages alongside associated cultural and historical contexts of the WANA region. Course work emphasizes close engagement with language structures and developments, the cultural production and social practices of communities across the region, and the historical processes that have shaped the area’s linguistic and cultural landscape.
On completion, graduates will have developed advanced subject knowledge of Semitic languages and WANA cultural-historical studies, strengthened analytical and comparative skills for interpreting linguistic and cultural data, and acquired the capacity to undertake independent research at a higher level. The programme is particularly suitable for students seeking specialist expertise in the languages, cultures and history of West Asia–North Africa.
Requirements (concise)
To apply for this MA you must hold a professionally qualifying Bachelor's degree (or an equivalent qualification) from a recognised university. Your prior studies should include substantial coursework in Semitic Studies or closely related areas: the programme expects at least 60 credit points (CP) in relevant subjects, covering topics such as Semitic languages and cultures as well as the history and contemporary situation of the Christian Orient and other non-Muslim minorities. Language proficiency requirements also apply (see the programme’s detailed language criteria).
All foreign degrees are reviewed by the Examination Board of the Department of History and Cultural Studies at Freie Universität Berlin to determine whether they meet the programme’s entry standards. If you have a degree from outside Germany, you can ask the Examination Board to assess equivalence before submitting your application.
Winter Semester (International)
15 August 2026
Summer Semester (International)
15 February 2027
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 August 2026
Summer Semester (EU/EEA)
15 February 2027
Graduates are prepared for academic research and doctoral study in Semitic Studies, linguistics, philology or related humanities fields. The programme’s language training and cultural‑historical focus also equip alumni for roles in museums and cultural heritage institutions, archives and libraries, as well as in NGOs, international organisations, policy advisory positions and education or translation services that require specialist regional and language expertise.
Because the programme develops both analytical research skills and applied language competence, graduates can move into interdisciplinary positions that engage with the WANA region across cultural, educational and institutional settings.