Linguistics Leiden University

Overview

The one-year master’s in Linguistics is concerned with the knowledge, structure and use of language, studied from a wide range of perspectives. It trains students to systematically identify, describe and analyse language phenomena and to apply this knowledge to a specific area of interest. Studying at Leiden University allows you to explore the field of linguistics through your own interests. This could be wanting to study a specific language, sheer analytical curiosity, theoretical interest or the ambition to become a translator.

You can achieve your ambitions by following one of our specialisations, or you can create your own track according to your individual interests. It enables you to learn how to identify, describe and analyse language phenomena systematically and to apply this knowledge to a specific area of interest, ranging from theoretical and experimental approaches to language learning and translation, and more.

What you will learn

Based on your specialisation, you will graduate with solid knowledge of linguistic theory and develop academic and research skills ranging from data collection, analysis and reporting to applied language skills such as text analysis, translation and editing.

Career prospects

A Linguistics master's degree from Leiden University is an excellent preparation for a wide variety of jobs. Our students graduate with valuable practical and theoretical skills, including strong skills in the interpretation of texts and the analysis and solution of conceptual problems, and the ability to independently conduct high-quality scientific research.

According to our survey, our graduates have gone on to pursue successful careers in a range of professions. Examples include:

• Editor at a publishing company
• Translator
• Author of educational materials
• Project manager at a translation agency
• Teacher
• Consular officer at a ministry of foreign affairs
• PhD candidate
• Content manager/editor
• Advisor at an institute focusing on linguistic research and language teaching

Accreditation

Accredited by NVAO, the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders.