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Admission
How to join
The admission requirements and selection criteria are valid for both, the full-time and the part-time option. Please note that there is only a limited number of part-time study places available. Therefore, it would be worth considering the pros and cons of studying IR Online part-time, i.e. full-time. Further advice can be found here.
Who can study IR Online
Participants must be postgraduate, that is, a prior university degree (B.A., M.A., Diploma, state examination etc.) is required. Preferably this degree has been obtained in Political Sciences, Humanities or Social Sciences, including Law and Economics. However, exceptions for applicants of other fields are possible under certain conditions. Overall, a genuine interest in International Relations, the desire to enhance your knowledge of international and global politics as well as your motivation to work in a challenging environment will be of paramount importance.
In addition, one year of relevant postgraduate work experience is required.
Participants need to be fluent in English.
To successfully complete the program, access to IT facilities as well as adequate electronic equipment will be mandatory. Your computer needs to be able to work with multimedia material in order for you to access the course material provided online.
How to apply
All applications need to be submitted online. Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications sent via email or postal.
Your application set should include the following:
- curriculum vitae
- letter of motivation (up to 300 words)
- two letters of recommendations from academic and/or professional referees
- certificate of a relevant academic degree (B.A. or equivalent)
- if English is not your native language we also need a language certificate verifying English proficiency (equivalent to a score of 550 points (paper-based), 213 points (computer-based) or 79 points (internet-based) in the "Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)"; alternatively, the "International English Language Testing System" (IELTS) or the "Cambridge Certificate" will be accepted at the same level of language proficiency).
Please note: All documentation must be submitted in certified translation if written in any language other than German or English. Translations and copies have to be legally attested by a German diplomatic mission. To find the nearest diplomatic mission in your country, please visit the website of the German Federal Foreign Office. 
Selection criteria for enrollment in the program are:
IR Online aims at qualified candidates with strong analytical skills, dedication and a genuine interest in International Relations. For the selection process we are therefore evaluating your application within the following parameters:
- Letter of motivation (40%)
- Field and quality of your first university degree (30%)
- English Language Competency (10%)
- Relevance of previous professional experience (10%)
- References (10%)
Your application will be evaluated against the background of the overall quality of all applicants. Please be aware that the competition for study places has strongly increased within the years.
Successful candidates will be informed and offered a place in the program until June, 30 2010.
Dates and Deadlines
The fifth run of the program will start in October 2010. The application deadline is April 30, 2010. Documents unavailable at that time are to be submitted by May 15, 2010.
Please log into our application software to start your application.
Contact Details
Program Coordinator: Kristina Klinkforth klink@zedat.fu-berlin.de
Student Advisor: Yamina Ehrt yamina.ehrt@fu-berlin.de
Impressions
Students. Our students come from all parts of the world, from any social and any religous background. There is no environment in which you could learn more effectively about international relations!
(photo: Damien King www.sxc.hu)
