Theoretical and Empirical Linguistics, Master Degree

University of Groningen, the Netherlands

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About Theoretical and Empirical Linguistics, Master Degree - at University of Groningen

How is language constructed and which aspects can be distinguished and studied? How are these aspects realized in different language families and specific languages?

THE PROGRAM HAS 3 NEW SPECIALIZATIONS: Vertalen in Europa, The Human Language System and Language Development and Variation.

European Linguistics is a one-year Master's track of the MA Linguistics which is based on the strengths of the Groningen linguistics sections (English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish).

It gives students a broad and attractive, but coherent and cohesive, range of options, oriented along the following approaches:

Empirical investigation of the structure of the European languages, with focus on synchronic and diachronic variation
Theoretical study of syntax, semantics, morphology, and phonology/phonetics
Use of a variety of data (native speaker intuitions, corpus data, language acquisition data) and methods

The track focuses on language with all its complexities. The main focus is how to make sense of complex data in order to be able to study the structure, variation, change, and development of language, so as to obtain a better understanding of the human language faculty.

It covers the principal subfields of linguistic study (sound, structure, meaning), and offers plenty of opportunities for students to focus on a particular language or language family (working with specialists in different modern European languages) or to pursue their interests in general linguistics.

A Master's degree in Linguistics (Master's track European Linguistics) is:

a solid foundation for future teachers, editors, communication experts, etc.
an excellent preparation for a social career related to the areas of theoretical linguistics, descriptive linguistics, language development, speech technology, communication and computer linguistics
a stepping stone to further study and training with a view to writing a successful PhD thesis.

Learn more about Theoretical and Empirical Linguistics, Master Degree - at University of Groningen

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Entry requirements

Additional requirements English: minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 100 (with a minimum of 25 on writing skills), or IELTS 7 (with a minimum of 6.5 on all items). Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 185.

A Bachelor diploma in the field of:

a modern European language and culture study
Communication- and Information Science
Humanities Computing/Information Science
Linguistics
Speech and Hearing

Fees, Funding and Scholarships at University of Groningen

The university is committed to recognising excellence in academic achievement through offering a number of scholarships for international students and researchers. Several scholarships are available for international students who are motivated to study Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD programmes, as well as for exchanges, short courses and research stays at our university.

Besides scholarships awarded by the University of Groningen, a number of grants awarded by the Dutch government, the EU and (inter)national organizations, such as World Bank or the Ford Foundation, can be used for study or research at the University of Groningen as well.

Find out what is available through our grant finder page.

Student reviews of University of Groningen

Find out what students say about University of Groningen

If I had to choose a Master's programme again, I would be on a flight to Groningen.

Ana Quintana, Mexico, Strategic Innovation Management

I gained a Bachelor's degree in Management & Marketing in Mexico City before I came to the Netherlands to undertake my Master's programme. During my Bachelor's studies, I spent a semester in Canada and I wanted to expand my international (study) experiences before starting work. I was keen to focus on innovation which is not usually offered in Mexico hence the combination of Innovation and Strategy in one programme directed me to Groningen.

My Master's thesis dealt with Innovation in family businesses and I now benefit from the intense research modules offered during the programme. Now I am working as a Promotion Manager in charge of the several customer loyalty programs offered by one of Mexico's biggest hotel chains. Although the Master's program was rather theoretical, I feel that it prepared me very well for my current job.

There was nothing about Groningen that I did not like: the city is just beautiful. I especially enjoyed going everywhere by bike, the variety of offers for students and, of course, the Queensday (now Kings Day) celebrations. Groningen has everything to make (foreign) students feel at home.

Looking back a year after my return to Mexico, I feel that I especially enjoyed getting to know Dutch culture. In addition, the courses offered and the beauty of the city made my stay in Groningen an unforgettable experience. If I had to choose a Master's programme again, I would be on a flight to Groningen.

I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand my knowledge in the field of law

Lejla Terzimehic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Global Criminal Law

Thanks to the European Commission Scholarship and the Talent Grant from the University of Groningen, I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand my knowledge in the field of law that I am most passionate about, at one of the oldest and most prestigious European universities.

Being very intellectually challenging, the master programme truly met my expectations. Sharing knowledge with my colleagues, all coming from different legal traditions, and learning from inspiring professors enriched me with the skills I hadn't attained during my previous education.

What I found to be the most beneficial is that the Dutch education system which, taught us to develop a critical opinion on law-related issues. Moreover, this master programme had a unique approach in tackling controversial contemporary legal issues. Due to its strong comparative emphasis, it encouraged us to keep at constant track with our national law, which is of a huge significance.

Both the master and a 6-month long internship at the International Criminal Tribunal for The Former Yugoslavia strengthened my belief in Justice. Furthermore, besides this academic benefit, I believe that studying abroad unequivocally broadens our horizons and tests prejudices we even are not aware of.