Master in Linguistics

The Master's in Linguistics at Aarhus University is a two-year, full-time programme taught in English. It is for students who want to understand how language works, from sound and grammar to how people use language in conversation and how computers process it.

What you study

The programme covers linguistic theory and practice. You take courses in grammatical theory (a functional approach), interactional linguistics, typology, psycho- and neurolinguistics, and computational linguistics, including programming. You also study experimental and statistical methods for language research. The programme ends with a research thesis where you do independent research, possibly with an external organisation.

How the programme is organised

Teaching mixes lectures, classes and study group work. A typical week includes a class in Language in Context, a lecture and a class in Experimental Psycholinguistics, and a class in Grammatical Theory. You are expected to spend 37 to 40 hours a week on study, including reading and group meetings. In the third semester you can do a project placement with an external organisation, using your linguistic skills in a real work context. The thesis can also be done with an external partner.

Who it suits

This programme suits you if you are curious about language structure, language use and language technology, and if you are comfortable with both theory and data. You should be ready for a mix of linguistics, statistics and programming. The study environment is friendly, with about 100 linguistics students, a common room called Lingoland, a student committee ViGør that organises Friday events, a Friday bar KOMMABAR, and a student organisation for language invention, SOLIA. There is also close contact with teachers and the chance to take part in research.

Admission, language and next steps

To be admitted, you need a bachelor's degree comparable to a Danish bachelor's degree (180 ECTS). Your degree must cover at least 10 ECTS in grammar (morphology and syntax) and 45 ECTS in additional linguistics or related subjects such as a language, psychology, cognitive science or anthropology, for a total of 60 ECTS. If you have a Bachelor's in Linguistics from Aarhus University, you have a legal right of admission, provided you apply within three years of finishing. Certain other Danish bachelor's degrees in linguistics or the humanities with a supplementary subject (45 ECTS) give direct admission. All applicants must meet the university's English language requirements, except those with a legal right of admission from Aarhus University. The programme starts in August or September, with no winter intake. Applications from international students go directly to the institution. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland study free of charge; other students pay a fee set by the institution.

Master’s applications go straight to Aarhus University, not through optagelse.dk, and the institution sets its own deadline. Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, residence permits and housing.