Linguistics
Master of Arts

Prerequisite is a Bachelor's degree in Linguistics or a comparable degree program with an overall grade of 2.5 or better (German grading system). 

A BA degree is comparable if the scope of linguistics courses is at least equivalent to the BA supplementary subject program in Linguistics at HHU. The following requirements must be met:
1. at least one graded exam and 9 ECTS each in at least three of the four “basic expertise” areas (Phonetics/Phonology, Morphology/Syntax, Semantics/Pragmatics, and/or Psycho-/Neurolinguistics)
2. at least one graded exam and 9 ECTS in specialized skills in linguistics (Qualitative Analysis, Quantitative Analysis, Data Collection, and/or Theoretical Argumentation).

A good command of English is essential and must be demonstrated. In order to enrol, students must provide proof of English language skills equivalent to 16 semester hours of practical language courses or 480 hours of non-university English lessons.

Admission is possible every semester, beginning in either April or October.

Graduates have the skills to professionally investigate their own questions and to adequately process the current state of research on specific linguistic topics. They are able to take nuanced positions on linguistic policy and socially relevant aspects of linguistics.

In the first and second semester, students identify the focus of their own interests by exploring the interface between linguistics and related disciplines such as philosophy, English and American studies, German studies, Romance studies or computer science. They also learn to critically evaluate empirical research, replicate published studies, and carry out their own case studies. The modules are designed specifically to train students in academic writing and presentation and to deepen their skills in empirical methods such as data collection, annotation, corpus work and statistical analysis. 

In the third semester, students pursue their own research questions and develop a first plan for their thesis while gaining their own research and teaching experience. The fourth and final semester focuses solely on the final thesis, by an accompanying colloquium and peer review, and prepares students for the time after graduation.

The program is a full-time course with a total of 120 ECTS, which corresponds to 30 ECTS of work per semester. For the course organization, students choose the courses that suit them each semester from our range of courses, allowing them to distribute the workload individually.

Every summer semester, a week of study perspectives will take place. During this week, classes will be partially cancelled and the following events will be held instead:

• An introduction to studying abroad with Erasmus representatives and reports on the experiences of previous exchange students.

• A job café where alumni/ae report on their career paths and experiences in professional orientation.

The degree program prepares students for a wide range of careers and qualifies for a PhD in linguistics as well as careers in scientific communication and popular science. Our graduates are highly proficient in methods for collecting and analyzing data, and some of them work in industrial research, for example as data scientists, or in the development of language technologies. With English as the language of instruction at advanced level, students are well prepared for the international job market.

The program trains our students to write concise texts and to visualize data and ideas in a meaningful way, which is a good basis for careers in public relations, knowledge transfer and consulting.

By focusing on linguistic diversity and specific language skills, our graduates are also well prepared for careers in cultural mediation, language training and multilingual team management.

Other career paths that we observe can be found in various management areas (product management, project management, personnel management) as well as in adult education, journalism and as writers for various industries. The program also provides a solid foundation for further training in speech therapy or clinical linguistics.