Your master’s thesis is an independent research project completed in semester 4.

15,000–18,000 words · 20 weeks · written in English

You should start developing your topic and thinking about possible supervisors during semester 3.

To register your thesis, you need 45 ECTS from the core area plus 15 ECTS from another module.

The examination committee usually needs 4–6 weeks to process the registration and issue your official topic and deadline.

→ See Regulations for the full formal rules, including topic changes, extensions, eligibility of examiners, and examination procedures.
→ Thesis registration form

Finding a supervisor

You need at least one supervisor who can act as the first examiner. A second examiner is also required.

At least one member of the supervisory/examiner team should be a professor teaching in or associated with ISME; instructors (such as "wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiter:innen" in German) with a PhD may also supervise and examine your thesis; usually, you would approach a(n assistant) professor with whom you had studied at least one course during ISME.

If you are unsure whether someone is eligible, check with the examination office before planning your thesis with them.

When approaching potential supervisors, send:

• a short description of your idea
• the sources or material you expect to work with
• what you have already read or researched
• why you think they would be a good fit
• what you expect from supervision (e.g. how many times you want to meet, if you need written feedback via email)

ISME theses often involve interdisciplinary supervision with one examiner coming from a discipline outside of ISME. You might find methodological or thematic expertise in:

• History, Political Science, Anthropology, Philosophy and Humanities departments as well as in the John-F-Kennedy institute and the institute for eastern European Studies
• Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures and Societies (BGSMCS)
• Collaborative Research Centers (ZMO, Liberal Scripts)
• Other Berlin universities (HU, TU)

As of 2025, also persons who are experts and professionals in their fields (holding at least a PhD) but not currently in a teaching position at a university can be appointed as supervisors and examiners; the second person on the supervisor/examiner team then must be a professor teaching in or associated with ISME. Check with the examination office for details.