The programme is based on a cooperation agreement between Freie Universität Berlin and the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University in Washington, DC.

It provides for the exchange of students from the Otto Suhr Institute for Political Science at the FU Berlin for one semester. This takes place as a so-called non-degree exchange for one semester. (In addition, FU alumni have the opportunity to obtain a degree, the Master of International Studies (M.I.S.), at the Elliott School, although the Elliott School's tuition fees apply).

• Who: Students from the M.A. programmes in International Relations or Political Science can be nominated.
• What: Students who spend a semester at the Elliott School as part of this option cannot complete a Master's degree there. However, the credits they earn there can be recognised.
• How: Candidates are nominated by an application committee of the Otto Suhr Institute for Political Science. However, the Elliott School has the final say, so we cannot guarantee admission. Tuition fees at the Elliott School are waived, provided that a sufficient number of students come to Berlin in return. However, students must cover their own living costs in Washington, DC.
• After a successful nomination, the final application must be sent directly to the Elliott School. This is done in an online process.

Application 

Applications must be submitted to the office by email. The application committee will select suitable candidates and nominate them for the exchange programme. We must point out that we cannot guarantee admission to the applicants we nominate to the Elliott School, as the decision on the final acceptance of the selected candidates lies in the hands of George Washington University.

Please submit your application documents in full and send them as early as possible so that any questions can be clarified in good time.

If you are successfully nominated by the FU, all documents must be submitted again directly to the Elliott School. This is done via an online platform. You will receive information on the procedure from the programme coordinator once you have been successfully selected. Please have your documents ready in good time.

Those who are not nominated can still apply directly to the Elliott School for the Master of International Studies (M.I.S.) programme. However, you must then finance the costs of the programme yourself or apply for other funding.

Application Documents 

• Curriculum Vitae in tabular form (signed, with place and date) in English. Please include information on your choice of degree programme, your course of study, extracurricular activities, social commitment, etc.
• Passport photo
• Statement of Purpose in English. The Elliott School describes the purpose of the statement as follows: 'In an essay of approximately 500 words, state your purpose in undertaking graduate study at the Elliott School. As part of your statement of purpose, describe your academic and research interests, career objectives, and how a degree from the Elliott School will enable you to achieve your goals. Please be specific' (It is advisable to inform yourself about the programmes offered at the Elliott School and to refer to them).
• A letter of recommendation (in English). The review must be sent by the reviewer by post (see below) or by e-mail (to masterib@polsoz.fu-berlin.de) directly to the application committee of the Otto Suhr Institute/MAIB. The review must also be received by the application deadline. It is not possible to hand out the reports to the applicants.
• Copy of the certificate of the first degree (e.g. Bachelor)
• Official transcript(s) or a tabular overview of all seminars, tutorials, lectures, practical courses etc. attended, broken down by semester (including the current semester), with details of grades and an English translation of the course topic. The list of certificates must clearly indicate for which of the courses attended proof of performance is available. (The accuracy of the information on the number and grading of the certificates will be checked after the selection has been finalised. If the information is incorrect or incomplete, the nomination will be withdrawn).
• A certificate of enrolment stating the subject of study and the number of semesters.
• Proof of English language skills: TOEFL (min. 250 points computer-based / 600 points paper-based / 100 points Internet-based) or IELTS (overall min. 7.0, no score below 6.0). Institutional TOEFL score reports cannot be accepted. Duolingo (120) or PTE (68). The tests should not
• more information can also be found here https://elliott.gwu.edu/international-applicants
• Copy of identity card or passport (including 'any U.S. visa stamps from previous trips to the U.S.A.')
• In case of a nomination also (more information in due time from the coordinator)
  • Visa Request and Financial Certificate
  • Completed Elliott School application form

Application deadlines for both exchange options

Fall Term (beginning of September to mid-December): 15 January

The application committee reserves the right to invite applicants to a personal interview. Final notification of a successful application will be sent by January at the latest.

Contact Information Freie University

MAIB Coordination Office: MasterIB@zedat.fu-berlin.de

Contact Information Elliott School

Sarah Denes  & Lyndia McMullen
Assistant Director | Graduate Student Services & Program Associate, International Education and Student Services | Graduate Student Services 

E-Mail: 

sdenes@gwu.edu 
lmcmullen@gwu.edu