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| Application Deadline: | February 1; April 1; December 15 | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | ≈ € 1,713 ≈ € 10,500 (non-EEA) | ||
| Location: | Amsterdam / Netherlands / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 24 months | Start Date: | September |
| Educational Form: |
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| Education Variants: |
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| Credits (ECTS): | 120 | ||
| Languages: | English | ||
Location of University of Amsterdam
The research programme in Linguistics gives students the opportunity to specialise in a wide range of linguistic sub-disciplines. In addition, it devotes serious attention to methodological issues. All courses are taught in English or, in the case of language-specific courses, in the given language.
Studying Linguistics at the University of Amsterdam
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is home to specialists in all the important sub-areas of linguistics. The research programme in Linguistics is coordinated by the Amsterdam Center for Language and Communication (ACLC) and the Institute for Language, Logic and Computation (ILLC). The programme capitalises on this potential by covering a variety of areas, including: research in Creole studies, discourse analysis, functional grammar, generative grammar, language and speech development and pathology, language typology, language variation and change, phonetics, second language acquisition, semantics and sign linguistics.
The University is rich in terms of the languages and language families covered in linguistic research and teaching. Linguistics seminars are taught on Arabic, Dutch (including Dutch as a Second Language), English, French, German, Greek (Classical and modern), Italian, Latin, Romanian, Scandinavian, Slavic and Spanish. A general characteristic of linguistic research at the UvA is the focus on theory formation through the analysis of large data sets.
Contents
Linguistics is a Research programme, which means that it prepares participants for entry into a related PhD programme. The programme allows students to specialise in any of a wide range of linguistic sub-disciplines and puts a sharp focus on methodological issues.
Programme outline
The two-year Research programme in Linguistics yields 120 ECTS credits: 30 credits for core courses, 30 credits for electives, 30 credits for tutorials and 30 credits for a Master's thesis.
The specific number of credits a student is required to obtain through coursework is determined by the admissions committee and is based on the student's previous qualifications. Fulfilment of all the requirements will take two years. Students with a related Master's degree should be able to complete the programme in one year (70 ECTS credits: two core courses, one seminar, one tutorial and a Master's thesis).
There programme can be adapted to the needs of the individual student. Students can choose from the following areas of specialisation:
- Arabic Linguistics
- Dutch Linguistics
- Dutch as a Second Language
- English Linguistics
- First Language Acquisition
- Formal Semantics
- French Linguistics
- Frisian Linguistics
- Functional Grammar
- German Linguistics
- Greek Linguistics (Classical and modern)
- History of Linguistics
- Italian Linguistics
- Language Philosophy
- Language and Speech Development and Pathology
- Language Technology
- Language Variation and Change
- Latin Linguistics
- Romanian Linguistics
- Scandinavian Linguistics
- Second Language Acquisition
- Sign Linguistics
- Slavonic Linguistics
- Sociolinguistics and Creole Studies
- Spanish Linguistics
- Speech Communication and Speech Technology
- Theoretical Linguistics
Current Issues
The Current Issues sessions constitute a weekly meeting point for all students. In these sessions new developments in linguistics are discussed on the basis of recent articles. Special attention is paid to the ideas presented in the articles, the way the articles are structured, the data on which they are based and the methodology. The sessions also facilitate training and evaluation of participants' presentation and discussion skills.
Further options
UvA linguists work in close collaboration with their colleagues at the University of Leiden. Students from the Research programme can substitute courses offered in the advanced programme in Linguistics at the University of Leiden for one or more seminars or tutorials with, subject to the programme director's approval (no additional costs are involved). The programme also accommodates participation (at moderate additional costs) in the winter and summer schools offered by the Dutch National Graduate School for Linguistics (LOT).
Thesis
The Master's thesis reports on research carried out by the student under the supervision of two academic staff members involved in the programme. The subject of the thesis must be mutually agreed upon by the student and the academic adviser(s). The final text should be between 20,000 and 25,000 words.
Degree requirements
Students who successfully complete this programme receive a Master's degree in Linguistics and the title Master of Arts (MA).
Credit transfer
Students who show exceptional promise during a regular or professional Master's programme are encouraged to continue their studies in a research programme. Once students are admitted to the research programme, they can transfer credits earned during their previous course of study towards their research programme. The examination committee determines which courses qualify for transfer.
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test if you come from a non-English speaking country.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
More informationRequirements
Specific entry requirements
Applicants for the Master's programme should have at least a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent in linguistics or a relevant field. The level of the Bachelor's degree must be comparable to that of a Dutch Bachelor's degree.
The Research Master's programme is intended for students interested in conducting research in one of the many areas of linguistics. The programme stresses such qualities as originality, theoretical interest, methodological skills and the ability to write reports for both a scientific and a lay audience.
Depending on students' prior education, certain exemptions may be granted that can serve to reduce the programme to one or one-and-a-half years. In this case, they should state that they are applying for the one-year programme in the study plan included with the application for admission.
Due to the limited number of places available in Research Master's programmes, all applicants are required to take part in a selection procedure. The admissions committee reviews applications on a case-by-case basis, with due consideration for the applicant's academic background.
General entry requirements
Applicants must also fulfil the general entry requirements of the Graduate School for Humanities regarding academic background, grade average and English language proficiency.
Language requirements
All non-native English speakers applying for an English taught MA programme are required to demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English before they can enrol. Students must be able to read textbooks, understand lectures, take part in classroom discussions and write at an academic level.
Students with a BA degree completed in the USA, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand are exempted from submitting an English language test.
All other applicants must submit one of the following tests. No other tests are accepted. For contact information regarding these tests please visit their websites.
- The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - Academic
The IELTS exam is offered by the British Council at least once a month upon request. Students are required to have a score of at least 7.0, with a minimum score of 6.5 for the separate components of the test. Students should contact the nearest British Council centre in their home country to register for this test as soon as possible. Original test scores should be sent either by IELTS directly or by the student to the admissions Office of the Graduate School for Humanities.
- Cambridge International Examination
Students can also take the Certificate in Advanced English exam (CAE) or the Certificate of Proficiency in English exam (CPE). The minimum scores are: 'A' for the Certificate in Advanced English or 'B' for the Certificate of Proficiency in English. Original scores should be sent either by Cambridge Examinations or by the student to the Admissions Office of the Graduate School for Humanities.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - International Test
There are several types of TOEFL tests. The Graduate School for Humanities only accepts the Internet-based International test. Students are required to have a score of at least 100, with a minimum of 22 for the separate components of the test.
Students should apply for a TOEFL test with ETS (link below). The institution code for the Graduate School for Humanities is 7247 (U Amsterdam Grad Humanities). Original scores should be sent either by ETS or by the student to the Admissions Office of the Graduate School for Humanities.
Chinese applicants are recommended to do the IELTS (academic) language test in order to apply for the NESO Certificate. See: How to apply / Applicants from China.
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Bachelor's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 6.5 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): | Grade A (Score: 80) |
| TOEFL Internet-based: | 100 |
Accreditation
The quality of this master's programme has been positively assessed by the Accreditation Organisation of The Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). This means that upon successful completion of the programme students will receive a legally accredited master's degree in Linguistics and the title Master of Arts (MA).
Funding details
Huygens scholarship
The Dutch government has allocated a vast amount for excellent students coming to the Netherlands under the HSP Huygens Programme. The Nuffic is administrating the Huygens scholarship. Please find all all necessary information about application and selection on their website.
! The Faculty deadline for receiving Huygens scholarship requests is: 31 December 2010. On the online application form please mention the Huygens scholarship request by thicking the relevant box.
The International Office will make a first selection of most excellent students. For this students we will write a nomination letter. Applicants that are part of this selection will receive the nomination letter by e-mail before 1 February 2011 which is the Nuffic deadline for application.
Amsterdam Merit Scholarship
The Faculty of Economics and Business provides a limited number of scholarships for excellent students in the Master's programmes. There is no fixed number of available scholarships. The actual number will be determined by the amount that will be allocated to the Faculty.
Selection procedure
1) Applicants should write an AMS motivation letter (tell us in not more than 300 words your motivation to get the scholarship).
2) Applicants should upload the AMS digital motivation letter to their online application for the MSc programme before March 1st 2011.
3) Before the end of May 2011 we will inform all applicants about the results by e-mail.
Ahold Scholarship Programme
Ahold, an international food retailing group based in the Netherlands offers scholarships for non-EU students in the MSc in Accountancy and Control programme. Applicants should have an outstanding academic record and have special interest in retail and the intention to work and live in the USA or Europe after graduation. All non-EU applicants accepted to the MSc in Accountancy and Control programme will receive supplementary information on this Scholarship.
Colfuturo Scholarship
Students from Columbia can apply for this scholarship through their website.
Ford Foundation Scholarship
Scholarships are provided for students from a selection of countries worldwide. For more information see the Nuffic website.
Netherlands Fellowship Programmes
This programme provides funding for women and members of priority groups or marginalized regions. For more information see the Nuffic website.
Other scholarships
Further information on scholarships can be obtained from Nuffic, please refer to their website. Click on the link 'Grantfinder' to search for Dutch scholarships for foreign students.
Studentgrant
In certain cases it is possible for EU students to receive a monthly studentgrant from the Dutch government (i.e. IB Group). Please check their website for further information.
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