Linguistics
Linguistics (M.A.)
Do you already have a Bachelor’s degree in linguistics or a related subject? Are you greatly interested in language, in human language abilities and the mechanisms behind language systems and speech acts? Then the Master’s degree program in linguistics offers the perfect opportunity for broadening and expanding your knowledge.
- Degree
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Duration of studies in semester
- 4
- Start of degree program
- Summer semester, Winter semester
- Study location
- Erlangen
- Number of students
- 1-50
- Subject group
- Language and Cultural Studies
- Special ways to study
- Part-time degree program
- Teaching language
- completely in German
- Admission Requirements
- Qualification assessment
What is the degree program about?
This degree program is aimed at students who are interested in languages, in the function and transition of language systems, and in how people deal with language. The degree program does not focus on one particular language. The main focus is on German, English and Romance languages, with other languages covered to some extent. Students have the opportunity to specialize in either applied and descriptive linguistics or historical linguistics and variation, depending on their own interests.
The main topics of the degree program are grammar and grammatical theory, language change and language variation, research on multilingualism, language acquisition, and lexicography. In-depth study of empirical methods in linguistics used in areas such as corpus linguistics plays a key role.
On the basis of these topics, students gain further knowledge of language and languages, their structure and their history as they work intensively with methods of analyzing and describing language. Students are encouraged to analyze linguistic utterances and theoretical and methodological concepts critically, and to take a critical approach to theoretical and corpus-based research. Due to close links between research and teaching, there is also an opportunity to take part in current research projects and for the students to explore possible specializations they may be interested in.
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1st semester
Students gain an overview of the topics of the Master’s degree program in Linguistics in the lecture series “Linguistik – Sprachen – Sprache” (linguistics – languages – language) which includes lectures from all of the subjects involved including the three core subjects German studies, English studies and Romance studies, as well as corpus linguistics, Indo-European studies and Oriental studies, as other linguistic subjects offered at FAU.
2nd and 3rd semester
Students take research-oriented modules run by the collaborating interdisciplinary centers – the Interdisciplinary Center for Lexicography, Valency and Collocation, and the Interdisciplinary Center for Dialect Studies and Language Variation. At this stage students can take part in research projects, complete placements and/or improve their proficiency in foreign languages. They can also choose from a selection of elective modules on a wide variety of topics. Methods and empirical work in linguistics are key topics.
4th semester
Master’s thesis and colloquium
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It is possible to study the Master’s degree program in Linguistics without a specialization, or with one of the following specializations: Applied and Descriptive Linguistics or Historical and Variational Linguistics). The specialization is determined by choosing appropriate elective modules.
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The degree program in Linguistics is aimed at dedicated students who are interested in the many and varied research questions and methods of modern linguistics.
In addition to a knowledge of German at DSH 2 required for admission, students in the Master’s degree program in Linguistics require sufficient proficiency in English to understand research literature written and presentations given in English in order for them to be able to fully access the results of international linguistics research.
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The Master’s degree program in Linguistics at FAU features close links between research and teaching.
- In the lecture series in the first semester, students get to know the research priorities in linguistics at FAU, not only in the core subjects – English studies, German studies and Romance studies – but also in other disciplines.
- In the research-oriented modules in the second and third semesters students attend lectures by external and international visiting researchers and discuss their research with them. The following two FAU research centers collaborate with the degree program:
- Interdisciplinary Center for Dialect Studies and Language Variation: The Interdisciplinary Center for Dialect Studies and Language Variation focuses on research into language variation and language contact in various disciplines related to linguistics, and offers lectures, research symposia and conferences on these topics.http://www.dialektforschung.phil.fau.de/
- Interdisciplinary Center for Lexicography, Valency and Collocation The Interdisciplinary Center for Lexicography, Valency and Collocation connects and co-ordinates research in subjects from various faculties at FAU which deal with the way in which words are used in larger linguistic units and the description of this use of words. The center runs guest lectures, conferences and workshops on these topics.
http://www.lexi.fau.de
- In the second or third semester there is also an opportunity to take part in a linguistic research project as part of the project module.
- In the research-oriented modules in the second and third semesters students attend lectures by external and international visiting researchers and discuss their research with them. The following two FAU research centers collaborate with the degree program:
- In the lecture series in the first semester, students get to know the research priorities in linguistics at FAU, not only in the core subjects – English studies, German studies and Romance studies – but also in other disciplines.
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Graduates from the degree program in Linguistics find employment in academia, in media, in publishing and in industry.
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The Master’s degree program in Linguistics does not include any specific language courses. However, you may choose language courses as elective modules, and these courses are not limited to English or Romance languages – you can choose from the whole range of courses offered by FAU’s Language Centre.
Do I have to study all three subjects – English, German and Romance linguistics – in equal depth during the Master’s degree program?
No. In the first semester you must choose two out of English studies, German studies and Romance studies. In the rest of the degree program there are no specific requirements.
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- Admission requirements (first semester)
- Qualification assessment
- Application deadline winter semester
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15.07.
- Application deadline summer semester
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15.01.
- Content-related admission requirements
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This Master’s degree program is open to graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in linguistics or language studies. Bachelor’s degrees in German or a foreign language (e.g. English studies, Romance studies or other language studies) are considered a subject-related or equivalent qualification if they include modules in linguistics, philology and/or practical language training worth at least 60 ECTS credits, with at least 30 of these obtained in linguistics. It is generally also possible to study the Master’s degree program if you have a teaching degree (Lehramt). More information on admission requirements is available below.
- Applicants require a first university degree in linguistics or a related subject.
- Applicants with a minimum grade of “gut” (good – 2.5) in their previous degree qualify for admission; applicants with an average grade of 2.51 to 3.00 will be required to attend an individual selection interview.
- For applicants currently in the final semester of a Bachelor’s degree program, proof of 140 ECTS credits is sufficient.
Applicants without a German degree or university entrance qualification also require proof of a certificate certifying proficiency in German at level DSH-2 (or equivalent).
Language skills
- German language skills for international applicants
- DSH 2 or equivalent
Do you need help or more information?
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