Aptitude assessment and selection procedure for German and international applicants with a German university degree

You would like to apply for a place on the Master's degree program in International Relations? Then please carefully read the following information about admission requirements and the aptitude assessment and selection procedures. You will also find a link to the online application portal and the application deadlines for the academic year 2024/25.

Please note that the aptitude assessment procedure and the application procedure are two separate processes.

Admission requirements

• Bachelor's degree certificate, diploma 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 process
• 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)
• English language skills corresponding to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Proof is to be 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 possible to start the course in the winter semester only. Successful participation in the selection procedure is only possible after timely registration for the aptitude assessment procedure and determination of positive aptitude.

The aptitude assessment procedure and selection procedure - registration and documents to be submitted

Please send the following documents by email to by May 31, 2024 at the latest to determine your suitability and for the subsequent selection procedure:

• 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 activities with international relevance 1
• Proof of practical work experience 1
• Other evidence or certificates (e.g. foreign language skills, social and socio-political commitment within and outside the university, etc.)1

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 for aptitude assessment by email to the address you have provided. 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) (German only).

The selection process - the written application

Once you have successfully completed the aptitude assessment procedure, you must submit an online application via the Admissions Office. The International Office is responsible for international applicants with a German university degree. The online application must be submitted between June 1, 2024 and July 15, 2024.

The applications received are usually evaluated within two weeks of the application deadline. The relevant provisions and criteria for the selection procedure can be found in the Regulations on the Implementation of the Selection Procedure for the Allocation of Study Places in the Master's degree program "International Relations" by the Center for International Studies (ZIS) (German only).

Click here for theonline application via the Admissions Office .

Dates for the application for the academic year 2024/25

Please send the documents for participation in the aptitude assessment procedure by May 31, 2024 to the following email address .

The interview for the aptitude assessment procedure will take place between June 24-28, 2024 . You will receive a separate invitation a week in advance. You will receive notification of eligibility by email by the beginning of July 2024. It is also possible to submit a formal online application to the Admissions Office in the period from June 1, 2024 to July 15, 2024 before you receive the aptitude assessment notice. If you receive a negative decision, your application will not be considered in the selection process.