For admittance to the master’s program applicants need to fulfill the following admission requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree from a German or foreign higher education institution with at least 20 credit points in linguistics
• English language skills at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or an equivalent level of proficiency

The DSH - or German Language University Entrance Exam for Foreign Students - is obligatory for all applicants whose first language is not German and who have earned their initial degree from a university (or equivalent institution) where the language of instruction is not German.

Students do not pay any tuition fees, the university only charges semester fees and contributions each semester.

The research-oriented master’s program in linguistics builds on the foundation of a bachelor’s degree in philology. Graduates specialize in structural, historical, and applied aspects of European languages and comparative studies of European and extra-European languages. In-depth training in current fields of linguistic research is offered. Students obtain theoretical and methodical competencies and work with both single-area and interdisciplinary research strategies. The program also offers high-level language education in two languages. Students can specialize in Romance or Germanic linguistics.

The Master Course comprises modules in linguistics as well as foreign language acqusition.

Structure and schedule of the study course are laid down in the study and exam regulations. It contains detailed descriptions of the content and qualification objectives for each module as well as the type and requirements of the exams to be taken and the final Master‘s examination. The regulations list the credit points (LP) for each module and for each individual course as well as the workload in hours of study for the whole study program.

In the area of linguistics the students have to successfully complete two compulsory modules and four elective modules.

In the area of foreign language acquisition students have to learn or extend their competence in at least two different foreign languages. The levels of entry and target qualifications are not specified, but students will have to prove that their level of competence at the end of the study program in each chosen language is higher than their starting level in that particular language.

With the Master’s thesis students should demonstrate that they are capable of scientifically addressing a defined research task and of presenting the results.

After successful completion of the study program the academic degree of Master of Arts (M.A.) will be awarded.

Modules of the study program without setting priorities
Study area Linguistics
Compulsory module	Structures of Romance languages or Structures of Germanic languages
Compulsory Module	Change and Variation of Romance languages or Change and Variation of Germanic Languages
Elective Module	Structures of   Romance / Germanic languages to complement the chosen compulsory module
Elective Module	Change and Variation of Romance / Germanic languages to complement the chose compulsory module
Elective Module	Language theory
Elective Module	Sociolinguistics
Elective Module	Cognitive linguistics
Elective Module	Neurolinguistics
Elective Module	Historical linguistics
Elective Module	Research module (may be used to specialize in one of the elective disciplines)
Study area language acquisition (foreign languages)
Students have to successfully complete four modules in at least 2 different foreign languages. Entry and target levels of competence are not specified. Students can also start from scratch.
Language acquisition A, B, C and D.

Modules of the study program with priority on Romance languages
Study area Linguistics
Compulsory module	Structures of Romance languages
Compulsory Module	Change and Variation of Romance languages
Elective Module	Structures of   Germanic languages
Elective Module	Change and Variation of Germanic languages
Elective Module	Language theory
Elective Module	Sociolinguistics
Elective Module	Cognitive linguistics
Elective Module	Neurolinguistics
Elective Module	Historical linguistics
Elective Module	Research module (may be used to specialize in one of the elective disciplines)
Study area language acquisition (foreign languages)
Students have to successfully complete four modules in at least 2 different foreign languages. Entry and target levels of competence are not specified. Students can also start from scratch. At least one of the chosen languages must be a Romance language.
Language acquisition A, B, C and D.

Modules of the study program with priority on Germanic languages
Study area Linguistics
Compulsory module	Structures of Germanic languages
Compulsory Module	Change and Variation of Germanic languages
Elective Module	Structures of   Romance languages
Elective Module	Change and Variation of Romance languages
Elective Module	Language theory
Elective Module	Sociolinguistics
Elective Module	Cognitive linguistics
Elective Module	Neurolinguistics
Elective Module	Historical linguistics
Elective Module	Research module (may be used to specialize in one of the elective disciplines)
Study area language acquisition (foreign languages)
Students have to successfully complete four modules in at least 2 different foreign languages. Entry and target levels of competence are not specified. Students can also start from scratch. At least one of the chosen languages must be a Germanic language.
Language acquisition A, B, C and D.

Graduates will have acquired in-depth scientific knowledge and advanced vocational skills.

The Master course prepares students to work in professional areas where the human language or individual languages and / or active language competence is in focus. Graduates are language experts with high foreign language competence who are readily employable in the media and journalism as well as in politics (European Union, Foreign Office).

At the same time the Master course provides access to further linguistic research (including doctoral studies) at universities and research institutes.