Linguistics – Master of Arts

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Postgraduate study programme which requires a first university degree. For this, the University of Konstanz offers the Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics.

The newly designed Master’s Programme in Linguistics gives a clear overview of how the general theories and directions in linguistics research are shaping up in individual languages. The programme can also be studied as a Double-Degree Option with the Università di Verona.In the MA Linguistics you will learn which universal structures underlie human speech and how linguistic knowledge is applied to the investigation of individual languages. Language universals and comparative language observations form the starting point in the study programme. They can then be developed in the following directions in individual languages, depending on your personal interests. Possible areas of specialization are:

  • General Linguistics
  • English Linguistics
  • German / Germanic Linguistics
  • Romance Languages and Linguistics
  • Slavic Languages and Linguistics
In general, you will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills for an academic career and/or for professionally addressing theoretical and practical issues of linguistics and starting a career that centres round language.

Overview

Degree Master of Arts
Programme start Winter semester & Summer semester
Period of study 4 semesters
Application period 9.5. - 15.6. | 29.11. - 15.1.
Admission restrictions no
ECTS 120

Why study Linguistics in the University of Konstanz?

A special feature of the M.A. Linguistics programme is the possible double-degree option with the Università di Verona, this allows you to study at two universities with a focus on applied linguistics as well as two degrees.

The Department of Linguistics at the University of Konstanz is one of the leading research institutions for linguistics in Germany. It pursues research and teaching in general, language-specific, applied and experimental linguistics. The newly designed linguistics study programme focuses on the basic structures across languages that underlie human speech and examines how linguistic knowledge is applied in the investigation of individual languages. You will learn how the general theories and directions in linguistics research are taking shape in individual languages. In addition to this there are six language laboratories available to develop your practical language skills and support experimental research and teaching.

Content

Prospects and opportunities

Career prospects

Graduates will find openings in the traditional fields for linguists where the structure of language plays a role:

  • In editorial offices with all kinds of publishers (including school book and specialized publishers), radio and television companies
  • Companies concerned with language technology and language processing
  • Archives and documentation centres

In addition to this, the master’s programme offers the foundations for work in:

  • public authorities or adult education
  • educational and administrative facilities at local, municipal, individual state and federal state level
  • media and public relations work
  • national and international cultural work
  • national and international organisations, associations and enterprises.

If you are aiming for an academic career, you can follow up with doctoral studies.

You can find out more about career entry in the interview series #dreamjob - Starting a career. Alumni of the University of Konstanz report on their very personal career entry.

Programme structure

Programme start

Winter semester & Summer semester

Academic structure

The study programme consists of 7 modules. A total of 120 ECTS-Credits (cr) are required, 54 of which are in the general area (modules 1-2, and module 7), and 66 in the individual areas of specialization (modules 3-6).

You can find a detailed overview of the academic structure and concrete contents on the website of the department.


Please check the Exam regulations (partly in German) for more information about the programme structure.

Internship and study abroad

Internships

An internship is not compulsory in this programme, but if you wish to gain experience, the department and our Career Service are here to help you find a suitable placement.

Study abroad

A study abroad stay is highly recommended by the department. The university promotes study abroad via Erasmus+ and numerous other exchange programmes.

Impressions from students and lecturers

Hear from students and lecturers
In our interview series, students talk about their subject, teachers explain the department's research and tell you what topics they cover in seminars and lectures.

Get an impression
Discover online lectures and websites with more information about your prospective subject.

Requirements

What interests and skills should I have?

The Master’s Programme in Linguistics is designed for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in linguistics or philology. Applicants should have the following skills:

  • Enthusiasm for language(s) and their structure
  • Formal and networked ability to think
  • Very good English skills

Language skills

Foreign language skills
You have to provide documentation of English language skills (spoken and written English), level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

  • For the area of specialization English Linguistics: English language skills level C1 (CEFR)
  • For the area of specialization Romance Languages and Linguistics: language skills level C1 (CEFR) in the corresponding language.
  • For the area of specialization Slavic Languages and Linguistics: Russian language skills level C1 (CEFR).


German language skills
International applicants also need documentation of their German language skills, corresponding to level DSH 2 or a minimum of 4 points in all 4 areas of the TestDaf. For the areas of specialization English Linguistics, General Linguistics and Double-Degree Option with the Università di Verona, no German language skills are required.

Language(s) of instruction

Course may be held in other languages than German. Consequently, course work and academic performance assessments can be completed in this language, too.

Admission requirements

  • To gain access to this master's programme you need a qualifying degree with the grade "good" (2.5) or better of a three-year (or more) study programme in the field of linguistics (minimum degree: Bachelor of Arts or equivalent) at an institution of higher education or Berufsakademie. In exceptional cases applicants may be admitted who have completed a qualifying degree in another, comparable study programme with academic achievements that make a successful participation in the Master's Programme in Linguistics likely.
  • Letter of motivation: An application letter in English (at most one page), providing information on your motivation and suitability for the study programme.
  • International applicants need documentation of their German language skills, level DSH-2 or TestDaF 4, or a language test recognised as equivalent. For the areas of specialization English Linguistics, General Linguistics and Double-Degree Option with the Università di Verona, no German language skills are required.
  • Foreign language skills: You have to provide documentation of English language skills (spoken and written English), level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
    • For the area of specialization English Linguistics: English language skills level C1 (CEFR)
    • For the area of specialization Romance Languages and Linguistics: language skills level C1 (CEFR) in the corresponding language.
    • For the area of specialization Slavic Languages and Linguistics: Russian language skills level C1 (CEFR).

For details, please see the access regulations.

Fees

Semester fee

All students enrolled at the University of Konstanz are charged a semester fee each semester, similar to all other German universities. Here you can find the current semester fee and its individual components.

Tuition fees for first degree studies for certain international students
Since winter semester 2017/18, the state of Baden-Württemberg has required some international students to pay tuition fees for their first degree studies. The following students are not required to pay tuition fees: citizens of a country within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), doctoral students and certain “Bildungsinländer” (e.g. non-EU citizens with a German “Abitur”). More detailed information can be found here.

Each year, the University of Konstanz grants exemptions to a limited number of particularly gifted international degree-seeking students in accordance with the university’s “Begabtenbefreiungssatzung” (statutes governing the exemption of gifted students). More detailed information can be found here.

Tuition fees for second degree studies for all students
All students are required to pay tuition fees for their second degree studies. More detailed information can be found here.

Application and application documents

This study programme has no admission restrictions.

An application is possible during the following period: 9.5. - 15.6. (winter semester) and 29.11. - 15.1. (summer semester). There may be other deadlines if you are applying for admission to a higher semester (for instance, if you are changing subjects or universities). For more information please consult the university website.

Application documents

  • Documentation of your academic degree including a detailed description of your coursework and performance assessments. If you have not received your examination certificate by the application deadline, please attach documentation of all completed performance assessments that will be used to calculate your final grade
  • Letter of motivation: An application letter in English (at most one page), providing information on your motivation and suitability for the study programme.
  • You have to provide documentation of English language skills (spoken and written English), level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). For the area of specialization "English Language and Linguistics": documentation of English language skills level C1 (CEFR)
  • For the area of specialization "Romance Languages and Linguistics": documentation of language skills level C1 (CEFR) in the corresponding language you will study in-depth.
  • For the area of specialization "Slavic Languages and Linguistics": documentation of Russian language skills level C1 (CEFR).
  • Applicants who have not completed their higher education entrance qualification at a German secondary education school: documentation of adequate German language skills (DSH level 2 or a minimum of 4 points in all four areas of the TestDaF).
  • For the areas of specialization English Linguistics, General Linguistics and Double-Degree Option with the Università di Verona, no German language skills are required.
  • When recognising degrees completed outside of Germany and converting grade into the German grading standard, the recommendations of the Kultusministerkonferenz (conference of ministers of education) - Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen ZaB (Central Office for Foreign Education), Agreements on Equivalence of the Federal Republic of Germany and agreements with partner universities have to be considered.
  • Current certificate of enrolment or proof of exmatriculation (if you have studied at a German university, please indicate your 'Fachsemester’ and ‘Hochschulsemester’).

    Important note: Please note the information provided in the tab "Admission requirements".

International applicants

  • If your documents are not available in German or English, you will need to have them translated. Please submit a German or English translation of your documents along with the original versions.
  • Documentation of German language skills, level DSH-2 or TestDaF 4, or a language test recognised as equivalent. 
  • For the areas of specialization English Lingustics, General linguistics and Double-Degree Option with the Università di Verona, no German language skills are required.
  • Applicants from China, India and Vietnam: APS certificate (original) issued by the German Embassy of your home country
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