Faculty of Humanities

Degree Programs

Master's in Sociolinguistics

The unique master's program in Sociolinguistics in the German-speaking region offered at the University of Bern is a two-year program devoted to various aspects of the relationship between language and society and their reciprocal influence.

The study program is characterized by considering a variety of aspects of Sociolinguistics itself and the interdisciplinary involvement of other fields that are relevant for understanding language use in a social context.

Master Soziolinguistik
Basic information
Degree: Master of Arts in Sociolinguistics, Universität Bern
Number of credits: 120 ECTS credits
Degree programs:
  • Mono 120 ECTS credits
  • Major 90 ECTS credits

 

Offer for other degree programs:

  • Minor 30 ECTS credits
Combination possibilities: several
Duration: 4 semesters
Languages: depending on the institute, German, English, French, Italian, Spanish  
Beginning studies: Fall or spring semester

Details of program

Special qualification subjects include the following:

  • Language and Power
  • Language and Gender
  • Language and Social Inequality
  • Characteristics, Function and Status of Varieties
  • Language Standards and Evaluation
  • Language Planning and Language Policy
  • Psycholinguistic Aspects of Variation
  • European Languages
  • Bilingualism and Multilingualism
  • Language Contact and Language Change

Combination possibilities

The master's degree program in Sociolinguistics can be completed as a single-subject (mono) master with 120 ECTS credits, or as a major (90 ECTS credits) and a minor (30 ECTS credits).

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

Study program structures
Mono program/major ECTS credits Minor ECTS credits 
120         -        
90         30        

Deadlines

Requirements

Individual academic requirements

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

a)

Bachelor's degree from a Swiss university in one of the following branches of studies: * 

  • English Languages and Literatures
  • German Language and Literature
  • French Language and Literature
  • Italian Language and Literature
  • Ibero-Romance Languages and Literatures
  • Slavonic Languages and Literatures
  • Linguistics
  • Social and Cultural Anthropology
  • Communication and Media Sciences
  • Sociology or
  • Psychology
b)

Bachelor's degree with a minor (60 ECTS credits) in one of the branches of studies listed below:

  • English Languages and Literatures
  • German Language and Literature
  • French Language and Literature
  • Italian Language and Literature
  • Ibero-Romance Languages and Literatures
  • Slavonic Languages and Literatures
  • Linguistics
c) Bachelor's degree from a foreign university *
d) Bachelor's degree from a university in a different branch of studies, provided that the master's degree can be successfully completed with an additional maximum 60 ECTS credits. *
* Additional attainments of up to 60 ECTS credits may be required. These can either be admission requirements which must be fulfilled in order to complete the master's degree program or admission requirements which must be fulfilled before admission to the master's degree program. The ECTS credits will be listed separately in the diploma supplement as extracurricular attainments.

Please consult the admission requirements for the minor as presented in the plan of studies.


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

 
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 Sociolinguistics, 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.