Is it possible to develop a grammar that is applicable to all languages? How is language stored in our brain? This Bachelor's programme focuses on the human ability to learn and use language.
Language ability means that people are able to learn, understand, express, and use language. But what happens if something goes wrong with this ability? How do you study people who have a language disorder? And which techniques are there to analyse language?
The Bachelor's degree programme in Linguistics takes three years. The first two years will provide you with an overview of the subject field of Linguistics. In the first semester of the third year, you will follow a Minor, and in the second semester you will choose a number of research seminars to specialize in neurolinguistics or theoretical linguistics.
Neurolinguistics focuses on the relationship between language and the brain. You will mainly study language disorders such as aphasia, dyslexia, and language development disorders. The course units in Theoretical Linguistics focus on the structure of languages in general. For example, you will study the structure of sounds and sentences, and the meaning of words.
In this degree programme, you will combine theoretical linguistic knowledge with psychological and neuroscientific knowledge.
You can also combine Linguistics with the degree programme in Speech Therapy at Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen. You will then follow a shortened track in Speech Therapy. A completed Speech Therapy track in combination with Linguistics and a Master's degree in Neurolinguistics will provide you with a qualification to work as a speech therapist and clinical linguist.
Whereas many other universities focus on the brain processes that form the basis of language and language disorders, the Groningen degree programme takes things one step further: research into neurological aspects of disorders can be conducted in close collaboration with psychologists, biologists, neurologists, and other medical specialists. This results in research at linguistic and (neuro)biological levels!
The first year mainly comprises introductory course units in the fields of neurolinguistics (the relationship between language and the brain) and theoretical linguistics, i.e. the structure and meaning of language. This will give you a clear idea of the two movements within linguistics. In addition, in the first semester you will be introduced to various disorders, such as aphasia and dyslexia.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Acquired Language Disorders 1 (5 EC) | ||||
| Language processing (5 EC) | ||||
| Syntax 1 (5 EC) | ||||
| Disorders in Language Development 2 (5 EC) | ||||
| Phonology 1 (5 EC) | ||||
| Semantics 1 (5 EC) | ||||
| Disorders in Language Development 1 (5 EC) | ||||
| Statistics I (5 EC) | ||||
| Taalverwerving (5 EC) | ||||
| Acquired Language Disorders 2 (5 EC) | ||||
| Language Contact and Language Change (5 EC) | ||||
| Statistics II (5 EC) | ||||
After the first year, in which you will mainly learn basic concepts and skills, the second year will allow you to take a more detailed look at the subject. The combination of lectures and seminars will enable you to read about recent research and get a good idea of what the current affairs in linguistics are, and thus help you to develop a critical academic attitude. Sometimes people from the field, PhD students or international linguists, are invited to give lectures about their experiences.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Pragmatics (5 EC) | ||||
| Psycho-Linguistics (5 EC) | ||||
| Syntax 2 (5 EC) | ||||
| Academic Skills & Ethics (5 EC) | ||||
| Clinical Linguistics Children (5 EC) | ||||
| Hist. of Linguistics (5 EC) | ||||
| Clinical Linguistics Adults (5 EC) | ||||
| Semantics 2 (5 EC) | ||||
| Morphology (10 EC) | ||||
| Language and Neuro Imaging (5 EC) | ||||
| Phonology 2 (5 EC) | ||||
In the first semester of the third year, you will follow a Minor. This Minor may be related to linguistics, but it can also be something completely different to help you broaden your horizons. The second semester will comprise a number of research seminars that will teach you how to set up an academic research project.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Minor (30 EC) | ||||
| Graduation Dossier: Disorders in Language Development (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Graduation Dossier: Neurolinguistics (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Graduation Dossier: Phonology (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Graduation Dossier: Semantics/Pragmatics (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Graduation Dossier: Syntax (10 EC, optional) | ||||
Please note that above is the programme for the current academic year (2025-2026). From 2026-2027, the courses of this programme will change. More will be announced in autumn 2025.
| Programme options |
|---|
| Minors (minor) The fifth semester of your studies is dedicated to your Minor: a coherent set of future-oriented course units. It prepares you for a follow-on Master's degree program or for entering the labour market. You can opt for a Career Minor, a Minor abroad, a University Minor or a Faculty Minor. |
| University of Groningen Honours College (honours program) The Honours College will give talented, motivated students the chance to be challenged even more by following Honours programmes and taking part in numerous other activities. The Honours College comprises a broadening part and a deepening part and has a study load of 45 ECTS credit points besides the 180 ECTS credit points from your regular Bachelor programme |
Met het VWO examen Engels voldoe je aan de taaleis.
Met het VWO examen Engels voldoe je aan de taaleis.
Met het VWO examen Engels voldoe je aan de taaleis.
Met het VWO examen Engels voldoe je aan de taaleis.
Taaleis Engels: minimum TOEFL eis iBT 90 (met een minimum van 21 voor alle onderdelen), of IELTS 6.5 (met een minimum van 6 voor alle onderdelen) of Cambridge C1 Advanced of C2 Proficiency met een minimum score van 180. Klik op de link voor meer informatie: https://www.rug.nl/let/studeren-bij-ons/bachelor/aanmelding-en-inschrijving/language-requirements-ba
The degree programme will organize a matching procedure. Attendance is optional. The advice is not binding.
The Faculty of Arts believes students can decide for themselves whether they match with their chosen programme based on the available Bachelor programme information, by visiting the Open Days, and by participating in a Webclass and/ or Student for a Day. If you are unable to attend one of these activities, a final opportunity for matching is to contact one of the students of the programme in June.
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
The Faculty of Arts believes students can decide for themselves whether they match with their chosen programme based on the available Bachelor programme information, by visiting the Open Days, and by participating in a Webclass and/ or Student for a Day. If you are unable to attend one of these activities, a final opportunity for matching is to contact one of the students of the programme in June.
If you have any further questions about matching, check out: www.rug.nl/matching
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
Requirements for International diploma holders: see Admissions Guide. It contains the criteria for all International VWO equivalents: https://www.rug.nl/vwo-equivalent-qualifications |
| language test |
International students will have to satisfy an additional Dutch language requirement, which can be met by passing the State Examination in Dutch as a Second Language (NT2, programme II). This examination guarantees Dutch proficiency at CEFR level B2. However, Dutch proficiency at CEFR level C1 or higher is recommended. |
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
If you want to continue with a Master's degree programme after your graduation, as most students do, you will have a wide range of programmes to choose from. With a Bachelor's degree in Linguistics, you have access to the following Master's tracks at the University of Groningen:
When this BA programme is combined with certain faculty minors, you gain direct access to more Master programmes, such as Communication Studies, Dutch Studies (Dutch taught), Media Studies and Journalism.
As a Master's graduate of Linguistics you may find a research position or a job that allows you to apply your knowledge of language disorders. For example, you could become a neurolinguist, a researcher, a therapist, or an expert in second language acquisition or multilingualism. Or you could choose to be a teacher or coach in the communication sector.
The term 'academic teaching' says it all: teaching and research are always closely linked to one another at university. All professors and most of the lecturers who teach your course units are also conducting research in their own subject fields. This means that your classes will be partly based on the Faculty's current research.
All the linguistic research carried out within the faculty is part of the Center for Language and Cognition Groningen (CLCG). If you are interested in this research, please visit the website (http://www.rug.nl/research/clcg/)
Vragen? Stuur Madelief een e-mail!
Hi! My name is Fleur, I am 20 years old and I study Linguistics at the University of Groningen. I am now in my third (and therefore final) year of the bachelor's degree.
Hi, how nice that you are interested in studying Linguistics! My name is Nora and I am now in the second year of the bachelor's programme. Linguistics was not directly my first choice after high school. I was always interested in languages, but I found it hard to imagine how I could do something with that in an advanced programme. After making the wrong study choice, I came back to languages and ended up at the Linguistics programme in Groningen.
Are you a pre-university pupil and would you like to find out what studying at university is all about? The Linguistics degree programme offers a web class! A web class is a course offered by the UG via Brightspace (digital environment) for pupils in the 5th and 6th years of pre-university education. The course involves ten study hours, which serve as an introduction to Linguistics. You read texts, do assignments and hold discussions with other prospective students and a lecturer.
Interested? Sign up for the web class.
