Faculty of Humanities

Degree Programs

Master's in Linguistics

The Master program (MA) is a two-year program whose content is based on the Bachelor program. The Master major program focuses on the extensive study of three theoretical and three empirical areas of either general or historical linguistics (see BA). This main course of study is supplemented by electives, thereby ensuring that students are exposed to the broad range of linguistic training available in Bern. Students may also study other foreign languages. The MA program introduces students to the latest linguistics research and is completed with a research paper. The MA minor program focuses on three main components. Although they do not write a thesis, students in the minor program also acquire solid knowledge of linguistics methods and application areas.


Master Linguistik
Basic information
Degree: Master of Arts in Linguistics, Universität Bern
Number of credits: 120 ECTS credits
Degree programs:
  • Major 90 ECTS credits

 

Offer for other degree programs:

  • Minor 30 ECTS credits
Combination possibilities: several
Duration: 4 semesters
Language: German
Beginning studies: Fall or spring semester

Details of program

For an overview of the program structure and study content, please download the study plan (ger) here.

Scheme of program

For an overview of the program structure and study content, please download the study plan here .


Combination possibilities

The Master's degree program consists of a major with 90 ECTS credits and a minor with 30 ECTS credits.

Any subject taught in a sufficient scope at the University of Bern can be chosen as a minor. However, students are not permitted to have a major and minor in the same branch of study.

To complete a minor at another Swiss university, students must submit a written request for permission to the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Humanities.

Structure
Major ECTS Minor ECTS
90         30        

Requirements

Individual academic requirements

The following academic qualifications are required for admission to the master’s degree program in Linguistics (major):

a) Bachelor's degree with a major in Linguistics from a Swiss university or an equivalent degree, if necessary with additional achievements to be defined individually in accordance with paragraph 2 of the study plan, or:
b)

Bachelor's degree with a minor with at least 60 ECTS credits in the field of linguistics from a Swiss university or an equivalent degree, with additional credits to be defined individually in accordance with paragraph 2 of the study plan.

Additional benefits in the form of conditions and/or requirements in accordance with Article 51 RSL Phil.-hist. 21 are defined individually.

The bachelor's degree may not be more than ten years old. Exceptions are possible where justified.

Swiss bachelor's degrees/programs

from the University of Bern

that allow admission to the desired master's degree program without any assessment:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics
  • Bachelor Minor in Linguistics, 60 ECTS

from other Universities

that allow admission to the desired master's degree program without any assessment (document in German):

Linguistics (PDF, 73KB)

Language requirements

Proficiency at upper secondary school-leaving level in English and French is necessary in order to be able to read the academic literature. If no such proficiency is documented in the upper secondary school-leaving certificate, it must be acquired as part of extracurricular studies during the master's degree program. 

Language skills in English, French, Italian and Spanish must be acquired as part of extracurricular studies during the master's degree program. The ECTS credits will be listed separately in the diploma supplement as extracurricular attainments.

 
For questions regarding application and admission, please contact the Admissions Office.

Application and admission

Current UniBE students

Apply for a change to the M A in Linguistics, Universität Bern by self-service as part of the re-registration for the next semester.
Renewal of semester registration → Self-service
Recognition of academic achievements
Procedure and timing of the renewal of semester registration
   

Application with a Swiss degree

Online application
Assessment
Steps from application to registration
 

Application with an international degree

Online application
CHECKLIST - Documents for your application / Important information
Steps from application to registration

 
For questions regarding application and admission, please contact the Admissions Office.