Can you learn a new language the same way you learned your mother tongue? How does our brain cope with multiple languages? Is there a teaching pedagogy that is the most effective?
This Master's track focuses on research into second or foreign language learning and teaching. You study the learning process and the use of new languages and the track allows you to focus your research on your language of choice: English as a second language, Dutch, French, German, Swedish, Chinese, etc. The skills and knowledge you acquire in this track are highly valued in areas of language teaching and testing, educational publishing, language policy making, and linguistic research.
You will approach second language acquisition from many angles, including linguistics, (social and cognitive) psychology, social interaction, and language teaching and assessment. The dynamic aspects of language development—how a wide range of factors (e.g. a learner's age, motivation, the amount of input) affect the learning process—receives particular attention. As such, our MA track trains you to become an all-round expert on second language development.
While this is not a teacher training programme, there is ample opportunity to discuss teaching-related issues and it is possible in some cases to do a language teaching internship.
Read more about the Department of Applied Linguistics.
The Master's track Applied Linguistics at the University of Groningen is a unique track designed to teach all students about the important theories and methodologies within the fields of second language learning, development, and teaching in the first semester.
The programme encompasses various fields of study, because learning and using a second language may be approached from many different angles. Students will explore and discuss the factors that relate to second language development, including cognition, psychology, social interaction, language teaching, and culture. In addition to theoretical and teaching paradigms, students will also take classes in statistics and research methodology essential for conducting applied linguistics research.
The second semester is meant for you to specialize in your preferred field. During this specialization, you will also write a Master's thesis on a topic of choice and take a course and/or do an internship that fits your interests. For the internship, some students decide to gain work experience doing research on creating language tests. Yet others might prefer to work in publishing or choose to gain research experience in one of the labs affiliated with the University of Groningen. It's sometimes also possible to combine the internship with thesis research, for example by examining the effects of different teaching methods during a teaching internship.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Essential Statistics (5 EC) | ||||
| Teaching Methodology/2nd Language Dev. (10 EC) | ||||
| Theory of 2nd Language Development (10 EC) | ||||
| Research Methodology Language Development (5 EC) | ||||
| Computer-Assisted Language Learning (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| Computer-Assisted Language Learning (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Master's Thesis in Applied Linguistics (20 EC) | ||||
| MA Work Placement in Applied Linguistics (5 EC, optional) | ||||
| MA Work Placement in Applied Linguistics (10 EC, optional) | ||||
| Programme options |
|---|
| Master's Placement (specialization) This Master's track includes an optional work placement for which you are awarded ECTS credit points. It is your responsibility to find a placement yourself, but the Office for Student Affairs can offer help with this where necessary. |
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
Students with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Groningen in:
are directly admissible to this Master's track. This also applies to students who have earned these Bachelor's degrees from other Dutch research universities, with one addition: Students with a BA in English Language and Culture, Dutch Language and Culture, European Languages and Cultures or any other foreign language have to have specialized in linguistics during their BA. Students with any Bachelor's degree from the University of Groningen with a Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) or pre-Master's (30-60 ECTS) in Linguistics, are also admissible to this Master's track. |
| language test |
Additional requirements English: A VWO diploma or a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher), minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 100 (with a minimum of 25 on writing skills), or IELTS 7 (with a minimum of 6.5 on all items). Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 185. This does not apply if you completed an English-taught bachelor programme at the University of Groningen. In this case, you do not need to show a certificate for English. |
| other admission requirements |
Students who are not eligible for direct admission can apply for this MA programme and may then be offered a pre-master programme ranging from 30 to 60 ECTS. This pre-master programme is tailored to your background and is an excellent preparation for the MA programme in Applied Linguistics. Note that you cannot apply directly for a pre-master programme, as this is only decided on by the Admissions Board for the MA programme to which you apply. |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Bedrijfskunde - Technology Management | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| English Language and Culture | University of Groningen | No additional requirements |
| Dutch Language and Culture | University of Groningen | No additional requirements |
| European Languages and Cultures | University of Groningen | No additional requirements |
| Minorities & Multilingualism | University of Groningen | No additional requirements |
| Linguistics | University of Groningen | No additional requirements |
| American Studies | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Information Science | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| International Relations and International Organization | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Middle Eastern Studies | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Classics (part-time) | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Communication and Information Studies | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Economics and Business Economics - Business Economics | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Data Science & Society | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a premaster/minor in Linguistics |
| Bewegingswetenschappen | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Business Administration | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Mathematics | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Medicine | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Dentistry | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Pedagogical Sciences | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Applied Physics | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Philosophy of a specific discipline | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| IT-recht | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Economics and Business Economics | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Sociology | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Media Studies | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Pharmacy | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Economics and Business Economics - Economics | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Applied Mathematics | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Artificial Intelligence | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Computing Science | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Psychology (EN) | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Global Responsibility & Leadership | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Astronomy | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Law | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Religious Studies | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| International Business | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Art History | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Archaeology | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Industrial Engineering and Management | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Nederlands Recht | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Economics and Business Economics - International Economics and Sustainable Development | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Biology | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| History (part-time) | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Life Science and Technology | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Psychology (NL) | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Juridische Bestuurskunde | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Biomedical Engineering | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a premaster/minor in Linguistics |
| Internationaal en Europees recht | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Arts, Culture and Media | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Bedrijfskunde - Business and Management | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Chemical Engineering | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Human Geography and Planning | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Bedrijfskunde - Accountancy and Controlling | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Spatial Planning and Design | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Econometrics and Operations Research | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Physics | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Theology | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Notarial Law | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Tax Law | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Academic training primary school teacher | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| International and European Law | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Philosophy | University of Groningen |
Additional requirements More information:With a pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| English Language and Culture | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:With a specialization or pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| European Languages and Cultures | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:With a specialization or pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Dutch Language and Culture | All Research universities |
Additional requirements More information:With a specialization or pre-Master's/Minor in Linguistics |
| Linguistics | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
| Minorities & Multilingualism | All Research universities | No additional requirements |
Note: it's only possible to a very limited extent to start in February. For more information, please contact the study advisor.
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 15 August 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 August 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
Students with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Groningen in:
are directly admissible to this Master's track. This also applies to students who have earned these Bachelor's degrees from other Dutch research universities, with one addition: Students with a BA in English Language and Culture, Dutch Language and Culture, European Languages and Cultures or any other foreign language have to have specialized in linguistics during their BA. Students with any Bachelor's degree from the University of Groningen with a Faculty Minor (30 ECTS) or pre-Master's (30-60 ECTS) in Linguistics, are also admissible to this Master's track. Students with a Bachelor's degree from a different Research University in Linguistics, with a specialization in linguistics, or with a sufficient number of linguistics courses and research components are also eligible for admission to this Master's track. |
| language test |
Additional requirements English: A VWO diploma or a subject certificate for VWO English (mark 6 or higher), minimum requirement of TOEFL iBT 100 (with a minimum of 25 on writing skills), or IELTS 7 (with a minimum of 6.5 on all items). Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 185. This does not apply if you completed an English-taught bachelor programme at the University of Groningen. In this case, you do not need to show a certificate for English. |
| other admission requirements |
To assess whether your educational/academic background meets the specific programme requirements, we will consider the level and curriculum of your previous studies. This evaluation is carried out by our Admissions Office and the Admissions Board. Students who are not eligible for direct admission can apply for this MA programme and may then be offered a pre-master programme ranging from 30 to 60 ECTS. This pre-master programme is tailormade to your background and is an excellent preparation for the MA programme in Applied Linguistics. Note that you cannot apply directly for a pre-master programme, as this is only decided on by the Admissions Board for the MA programme to which you apply.
General information
about the pre-master programme can be found here.
|
Note: it's only possible to a very limited extent to start in February. For more information, please contact the study advisor.
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 15 August 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
| 15 August 2026 | 01 September 2026 | |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
Upon graduation, students will obtain an MA degree in Linguistics with a specialization in Applied Linguistics.
Due to the varied options in the second semester, there is no one particular job our students tend to end up in. Some of our graduates end up in research positions, for example at a university or a research institute. Others become educational specialists, go back to teaching or continue with a teaching degree in their chosen language. Some also end up at teacher training institutes or work at language policy institutes (e.g. at provincial, national or international level). We also have quite a few graduates who have found positions in material development or language testing (e.g., Noordhoff Publishing Company, Diataal, or the Dutch CITO).
Despite the differences between our graduates and where they end up, it should be noted that many of the skills our students acquire are transferable. Our graduated students are specialized in teaching languages and language development, possess excellent analytical and writing skills (especially in English), and have obtained the capacity to analyze and solve problems. Therefore, our students are a great asset to a variety of companies and institutes and almost all of our students find a job within a few months after graduation.
Research in Applied Linguistics focuses on the process of learning and using a second language. It covers various fields of study because learning and using a second language can be approached from many different angles, including cognition, psychology, social interaction, language teaching and culture.
Are you interested in the different processes that take place in our heads when we learn a new language? Would you like to know more about different approaches to language teaching? Do you want to learn about the wide range of research methods to study and analyze language development? And would you like to gain some hands-on experience in language teaching and research?
Are you interested in a research oriented career? Please also check our Research Master's Programme of Linguistics.
