Study global politics where it happens — in Berlin, home to embassies, NGOs and international institutions. A tuition-free, research-intensive master's at one of Germany's leading universities, with an 18-month post-study permit into the EU's policy and diplomacy sectors.
2 years
Full-time duration
€0
Tuition (≈€312 fee/sem)
Oct 2026
Next intake
IELTS 6.5
English (where taught)
Overview
✓ Study at a world top-100 university — tuition-free for internationals (QS 2026)
✓ Based in Berlin — embassies, NGOs, think tanks and EU-facing institutions on your doorstep
✓ Qualify for Germany's 18-month post-study permit and EU-wide careers
The program covers IR theory, global governance, security, international political economy and area studies, with strong methods training and a research thesis. FU Berlin's location gives you real access to practitioners, guest lectures and internships in the policy world.
Graduates move into diplomacy, international organisations, NGOs, think tanks, journalism and consulting across Europe. Tuition-free study plus an 18-month post-study permit make it outstanding value for a global-affairs career.
Bachelor's in political science, IR or related social science
Prerequisites
Relevant coursework; methods background helpful
English
IELTS 6.5 for English-taught tracks
German / APS
German for German-taught modules; APS for some countries
💡
FU Berlin IR is competitive and research-focused. Your counsellor helps you craft a strong motivation statement and confirms the right English-taught track for your profile.
What you'll study
Core areas
01 IR Theory
02 Global Governance
03 Security Studies
04 International Political Economy
05 Area Studies & Methods
06 Master's Thesis
After you graduate
Career outcomes
€40k+
Typical EU graduate policy/analyst salary
18-month permit
Post-study job-seeking in Germany
Fields
Diplomacy, NGOs, think tanks, EU institutions
EU mobility
Work across the European Union
How to apply
Application timeline
Winter 2025 – spring 2026
Prepare your application
Gather transcripts, arrange APS if required, take IELTS, and write your motivation statement. Your counsellor reviews everything free.
Spring – summer 2026
Submit (uni-assist / FU Berlin)
Apply through uni-assist or the FU Berlin portal for the October intake. Apply early — IR places are competitive.
Summer 2026
Admission & blocked account
Receive admission, then open your blocked account (€11,904) and arrange health insurance.
Summer 2026
Student visa
Apply for your German national (Type D) student visa with admission, Sperrkonto and insurance.
October 2026
Enrolment & start
Arrive in Berlin, register, enrol at FU Berlin, and begin your master's.
Fees & funding
Tuition fees & costs
Tuition (international)
Public university
€0
Semester fee
Incl. semester transport ticket
≈€312/sem
Blocked account (Sperrkonto)
Living funds for visa
€11,904/yr
Student visa fee
National Visa (Type D)
≈€75
Scholarships
Funding you may be eligible for
DAAD Study Scholarship
German Academic Exchange Service
€934/month
Coverage: Monthly stipend + travel + language course
Eligibility: Master's students, graduated ≤6 years ago
Duration: 10–24 months
Deadline: Mid-October for following year
Source: daad.de
Deutschlandstipendium
Federal Government + private sponsors
€300/month
Coverage: €150 federal + €150 private sponsor
Eligibility: All nationalities, merit-based
Duration: Min. 2 semesters, renewable
Deadline: Through university portal — summer
Source: deutschlandstipendium.de
Government Scholarships (home country)
Saudi SACM, Kuwaiti MOHE, etc.
Full award
Coverage: Tuition + living expenses + flights
Eligibility: Varies by country
Duration: Full programme
Deadline: Varies — your counsellor checks eligibility
Loans & financing
Alternative funding options
KfW Student Loan
German state development bank · Up to €650/month
Available to students at German universities; some non-EU nationals with residence permits may apply. Repayment begins after graduation.
Work during studies
Student residence permit · 140 full / 280 half days/yr
Work 140 full or 280 half days per year without a separate permit. Berlin offers many working-student roles at NGOs, media and research institutes.
Living costs
Monthly budget in Berlin
Berlin is creative, international and more affordable than Munich, with excellent transport (your semester ticket is included) and a huge student community. Sharing a WG keeps rent down.
Rent (WG room)€450–€750
Food & groceries€250–€350
Transport (semester ticket)incl. in fee
Health insurance€120
Books & supplies€30–€60
Personal & leisure€150–€250
Estimated total€1,050–€1,550/month
Visa financial proof: blocked account (Sperrkonto) of €11,904/year (≈€992/month), from which you withdraw a fixed monthly amount.
"Studying IR in Berlin means the theory comes alive — embassies, NGOs and think tanks are everywhere, and I interned at one during my master's. And it was tuition-free. My counsellor handled the APS and visa from start to finish."
LA
Lina A.
MA International Relations, FU Berlin — Class of 2026 · 🇯🇴 Jordan
"Berlin is affordable and endlessly international. The 18-month post-study permit gave me time to land a role at an international organisation after graduating."
YS
Youssef S.
MA International Relations, FU Berlin — Class of 2025 · 🇪🇬 Egypt
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is the master's tuition-free?
Yes. Freie Universität Berlin is a public university and charges no tuition for its master's programs, even for internationals. You pay only a semester fee of about €312, which includes a semester transport ticket. Living costs and the blocked account are your main financial requirements.
Is the program taught in English?
FU Berlin offers international-relations master's tracks with substantial English-taught content; some modules or tracks may involve German. Course language matters, so your counsellor confirms which track fits your language profile and background.
What background do I need?
You need a bachelor's in political science, international relations, or a related social science, with relevant coursework. FU Berlin is research-intensive and competitive, so a strong academic record and a clear motivation statement help.
Can I work in Germany after graduating?
Yes. Germany offers an 18-month post-study job-seeking residence permit, and you can work 140 full or 280 half days per year while studying. Berlin hosts many embassies, NGOs, think tanks and international organisations — ideal for IR graduates.
How much does living in Berlin cost?
Budget roughly €1,050–€1,550/month all-in. Berlin is more affordable than Munich, with a huge international community and public student health insurance at about €120/month. The visa blocked account is €11,904/year.
