The MA in Semitic Studies is a two-year, tuition-free, full-time master's program taught in English. It builds on the knowledge gained in a Bachelor's program, offering a deeper exploration of the languages, cultures, and history of societies in the MENA region. 
What makes this program unique is its strong emphasis on modern Semitic languages and its focus on religious minorities in the Middle East and North Africa. Students engage with cutting-edge international research in Semitic Studies, preparing for careers in academia, cultural institutions, international organizations, and other fields related to the region.
The program fosters interdisciplinary collaboration with other departments at Freie Universität Berlin, as well as with partner universities and institutions in Germany and beyond that specialize in Semitic Studies and the Christian Orient. Additionally, it maintains strong connections with Semitic-speaking communities in Berlin.

The MA in Semitic Studies offers a diverse selection of courses covering Semitic languages, linguistics, and cultural history. Students can explore:

• The Aramaic language across 3,000 years, from Old Aramaic to modern dialects, including Biblical Aramaic, Syriac, North-Eastern Neo-Aramaic (NENA) dialects, and Turoyo,
• Aramaic linguistics and dialectology, providing insights into the diversity and evolution of Aramaic varieties,
• Syriac Studies, focusing on the language, literature, and cultural heritage of Syriac Christianity,
• Oriental Christianity, examining the history, traditions, and languages of Christian communities in the Middle East,
• Arabic linguistics and dialectology, with a particular emphasis on spoken varieties,
• A linguistic approach to Biblical Hebrew, analyzing its structure and historical development,
• Ugaritic, exploring one of the earliest attested Northwest Semitic languages,
• Comparative Semitics, studying the relationships between Semitic languages and their common roots,
• Semitic philology, delving into the textual traditions and literary history of Semitic languages.

With its strong academic foundation, international collaborations, and access to Berlin’s world-class research institutions, the MA in Semitic Studies at Freie Universität Berlin offers students a dynamic and interdisciplinary environment to deepen their expertise.