Frequently Asked Questions on Applications
Below you will find a collection of frequently asked questions from people interested in applying for our Master's programme. Questions answered concern e.g. formalities and structure of the programme, contact persons and visa matters. Please check first whether your questions are already answered here on the website. If not, you can contact us at global-inequalities@geo.fu-berlin.de.
In case you're interested in applying and want to know more about how studying will be like, the FAQ for students might already answer you questions.
There are several ways to prove that your English language skills are at C1 level
or higher: Next to the proof of completion of DAAD courses and English tests
from various universities, a TOEFL test (score: at least 550 (paper), 213
(computer), 90 (internet)) can also prove the required level. The latter can be
replaced by the following certificates:
- IELTS (Academic) overall score 6.5 (possibly also 6.0 in all sections)
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
- Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
- UNICERT III
If you have a credential that is not listed here, feel free to contact us.
In general, you can always contact us. However, many questions are already
answered on the website of the Student Service Center under "Studying at Freie
Universität".
There you’ll find information about:
1.) Studying at Freie Universität
2.) Language Skills (For the M.Sc. Geographies of Global Inequali8es, no
knowledge of German is required)
3.) Fees & Funding
4.) Entry & Residence
You should apply for a visa as soon as possible, and not wait for confirmation of enrollment in the study program. The German missions abroad (embassies or consulates) are responsible for this. The "national visa" is intended for longer study stays. You can find more information on the DAAD website.
We strongly encourage you to apply for your visa as early as possible in your home country. While it may be possible to enter Germany on a short-term visa (depending on your country of origin) the visa application process can often take several months to complete. Unfortunately the Geographies of Global Inequalities M.Sc. cannot advise on the specific details of the visa application process. For further information, visit Freie Universität Pass-Service after consulting the proper authorities in your home country.
This website tries to summarise all the important information for you. Feel free to click through it first. There is also a presentation of the degree programme on the Department of Earth Sciences website and the Human Geography Department website.
In case you are intrested in aplying, here you find the Admissions Statute (in English, unofficial translation and here the official German version.
All important information on the structure of the programme itseld is summarized in the study and examination regulations (“Studien- und Prüfungsordnung”). Here you find the Study and Examination Regulations (in English, unofficial preliminary translation), and here the official German version.
Our cohorts are composed by people from several different backgrounds, although it is important that you have experience with topics connected to the Social Sciences before to be able to catch up with our readings and debates. Our students had previous contact with themes such as Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science, Cultural Studies, Political Economy, Public Policy, Geography, and others. If you are interested in our program and believe you have an academic background that gave you the opportunity to be in touch with those themes, you are encouraged to apply. All applications will be checked individually for suitability.