APTITUDE ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE GERMAN AND INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS WITH A UNIVERSITY DEGREE ABROAD
Would you like to apply for a place on the Master's degree program in International Relations? Then please read the following information about admission requirements and the aptitude assessment procedure carefully. You will also find a link to the online application portal and the application deadlines for the academic year 2025/26.
- Bachelor's degree certificate, Diplom certificate or a comparable degree certificate in an economics, political science or law degree program with a focus on the above-mentioned disciplines, or a degree from a state-recognized vocational academy in the fields of international law, international politics or economics.
- Notification of aptitude from the aptitude assessment procedure
- Proof of sound methodological and subject-specific prior knowledge in at least one of the two core subjects of your specialization (detailed overview of grades)
- very good knowledge of German, which must be proven by the DSH (level 2), the TestDaF (4x4) or a comparable certificate
- English language skills corresponding to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Proof is provided by certificates or language certificates. In particular, this can be a certificate of general or subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification with English as a foreign language up to grade 12, a certificate of a university degree completed entirely in English or a language certificate with a proven level B2.
Areas of specialization in the Master's degree program:
Please note that the core subjects differ depending on the specialization (Global Political Economy (GPOE), International Order and Institutions (IO) and International Law and Economics (ILE)).
The following are therefore required:
- in the case of the GPOE specialization , prior knowledge of economics and/or political science
- in the case of the IO specialization , prior knowledge of law and/or political science
- in the case of the ILE specialization , prior knowledge of economics and/or law
It is only possible to start the course in the winter semester. Successful application is only possible after timely registration for the aptitude assessment procedure and determination of positive aptitude.
The aptitude assessment procedure - registration and documents to be submitted
To determine your suitability, please send the following documents in full by e-mail to by May 31, 2025 at the latest:
- Application for aptitude assessment stating the chosen specialization
- A simple copy of your first university degree certificate including transcript or a certificate confirming 80% of your academic performance together with a current overview of grades
- Curriculum vitae in tabular form
- A two-page letter of motivation
- Proof of English language skills corresponding to at least level B2 of the CEFR
- Proof of German language skills (e.g. DSH, TestDaF or comparable certificates; further information can be obtained from the International Office)
- Proof of activities with an international connection
- Proof of practical work experience
- Other evidence or certificates (e.g. foreign language skills, social and socio-political commitment within and outside the university, etc.)
If the written documents submitted prove that you meet the above-mentioned admission requirements for an application, you will receive an invitation to an interview to determine your suitability by e-mail to the address you have provided in week 25. A successful application is only possible if you receive proof of aptitude as a result of the aptitude assessment interview. The relevant provisions and criteria for the aptitude assessment procedure can be found in the aptitude assessment regulations for the Master's degree program "International Relations" issued by the Center for International Studies (ZIS).
Proof of aptitude is valid for two years. This means that you do not have to go through the aptitude assessment procedure again the following year, but can apply directly.
The application in the Uni assist portal
The written application must be submitted in the period from April 1, 2025 to May 31, 2025 (for applicants from outside the EU) and in the period from April 1, 2025 to July 15, 2025 (for applicants from outside the EU). In the case of an application via uni-assist, the processing fee must also be received by the end of the application deadline.
The application must be submitted via the uni-assist applicant portal.
Applicants from EU and non-EU countries and German applicants with a university degree from abroad can find further information on the International Office website.
Application deadlines for the academic year 2025/26
Please send the complete documents for participation in the aptitude assessment procedure to the following e-mail address by May 31, 2025 : .
You will receive an application number from there, which must then be provided to uni:assist for the processing of the documents. Without this timely registration for the aptitude assessment procedure at the Center for International Studies, an application is unfortunately not possible.
The interviews as part of the aptitude assessment procedure will take place from June 25 to July 01, 2025. You will receive a separate invitation approximately one week beforehand. You will receive notification of your suitability by email by week 28. If you receive a negative decision, your application will not be considered.
The application documents of applicants from non-EU countries must be submitted in the application portal uni-assist in the period from April 1, 2025 to May 31, 2025.
The application documents of applicants from other EU countries and of German applicants with a university degree abroad must be submitted in the uni-assist application portal in the period from April 1, 2025 to July 15, 2025 .