Linguistics

Overview

The Linguistics  programme at Utrecht University  brings together students from all over the world who combine their unique talents and backgrounds with a shared interest in languages, and the way language is embedded in human cognition.

Theory driven empirical research 

The programme offers a broad focus on:

• theoretical linguistics (phonology, syntax, semantics)

• psycholinguistics (language acquisition, language processing)

• language use (discourse studies, bilingualism, phonetics, historical linguistics)

You will acquire a solid background in all three domains, and then choose a series of elective courses in order to specialise in one area. You will receive training in empirical, computational, and experimental methodology, and you will practice designing, planning, and carrying out a research project during your internship and thesis work.

Career Prospects

The Research Master’s programme Linguistics prepares you for a broad range of jobs inside and outside academia that require academic skills, research methodology and advanced knowledge in the field of linguistics. 

Graduates of the programme are highly eligible to operate in the international field of linguistics research and to obtain PhD positions in the Netherlands or abroad.

If you decide not to embark on an academic career, you are fully equipped to apply for junior positions where specialised knowledge, research abilities, and insight into the structure of language and its use are relevant. For example:

• a traineeship in the field of language technology (speech recognition, text-to-speech)

• an advisory position in first- and second-language teaching and policy making

• a teaching position in higher education

• a junior project research position in industry

• an assistant position in experimental and computational lab

After successfully completing the Linguistic Master’s programme, you are able to pursue an academic career and apply to a PhD programme either at Utrecht University or elsewhere. During the programme, you will work on a research proposal that may be used in PhD applications or easily be adapted to such applications.

Accreditation

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