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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Linguistics Theoretical and Empirical Linguistics
Header image Theoretical and Empirical Linguistics

Theoretical and Empirical Linguistics

How is language constructed and which aspects can be distinguished and studied? How are these aspects realized in different language families and specific languages?

Theoretical and Empirical Linguistics is a one-year Master's track of the MA Linguistics which is based on the strengths of the Groningen Linguistics department (English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish). Students can choose between two specializations: The Human Language System (THLS) and Language Development and Variation (LDV).

This MA track offers students a broad and attractive, but coherent and cohesive, range of options, oriented along the following approaches:

  • Empirical investigation of the structure of the European languages, with focus on synchronic and diachronic variation
  • Theoretical study of syntax, semantics, morphology, and phonology/phonetics
  • Use of a variety of data (native speaker intuitions, corpus data, language acquisition data) and methods

The track focuses on language with all its complexities. The main focus is how to make sense of complex data in order to be able to study the structure, variation, change, and development of language, so as to obtain a better understanding of the human language faculty. It covers the principal subfields of linguistic study (sound, structure, meaning), and offers plenty of opportunity for students to focus on a particular language or language family (working with specialists in different modern European languages) or to pursue their interests in general linguistics.

Facts & Figures
Degree
MA in Linguistics
Course type
Master
Duration
12 months (60 ECTS)
Croho code
60815
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Arts
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • Intensive supervision by high-quality researchers in many different languages as well as in theoretical linguistics
  • A challenging multidisciplinary approach
  • Unique combination of theoretical and descriptive linguistics in a multi-lingual setting
  • Area of study with excellent career opportunities, both in industry and academia
  • Excellent preparation for a PhD
Programme
Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Language Comparison (10 EC)

LDV + THLS

Language Development (10 EC)

LDV

Language Variation in Europe: Crossing Borders (10 EC)

LDV

The Interpretation of Language (10 EC)

THLS

The Structure of Language (10 EC)

THLS

The Sound of Language (5 EC)

LDV + THLS

Master's Thesis Theor. and Emp. Ling. (20 EC)

LDV + THLS

Architecture of the Language System (5 EC)

THLS

Debates in Linguistics (5 EC)

LDV

Curriculum

In addition to the range of course units provided by this track itself, students can also follow Masterlanguage courses. Masterlanguage is a national programme that offers courses for students of i.a. German, English, French and Italian.

The courses are taught in the target language (except Greek and Latin) and are jointly organized by lecturers from Radboud University, the University of Groningen, Leiden University, Utrecht University, the University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam. More information about the courses, entry requirements and registration can be found on the Masterlanguage website: https://masterlanguage.nl/taal/engels/. You may follow Masterlanguage courses in consultation with the Board of Examiners of your Master's degree programme.

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.

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is optional
Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
LinguisticsAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Duitse Taal en CultuurAll Research universities

No additional requirements

More information:

With a specialization or premaster/minor in Linguistics

Engelse Taal en CultuurAll Research universities

No additional requirements

More information:

With a specialization or premaster/minor in Linguistics

Minorities & MultilingualismAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Dutch Language and CultureAll Research universities

No additional requirements

More information:

With a specialization or premaster/minor in Linguistics

Romaanse Talen en CulturenAll Research universities

No additional requirements

More information:

With a specialization or premaster/minor in Linguistics

Scandinavische Talen en CulturenAll Research universities

No additional requirements

More information:

With a specialization or premaster/minor in Linguistics

Slavische Talen en CulturenAll Research universities

No additional requirements

More information:

With a specialization or premaster/minor in Linguistics

European Languages and CulturesAll Research universities

Additional requirements

More information:

With a specialization or premaster/ minor in Linguistics

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
European Languages and CulturesUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
English Language and CultureUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Dutch Language and CultureUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Communication and Information StudiesUniversity of Groningen

No additional requirements

More information:

With a premaster/minor in Linguistics

Information ScienceUniversity of Groningen

No additional requirements

More information:

With a premaster/minor in Linguistics

American StudiesUniversity of Groningen

No additional requirements

More information:

With a premaster/minor in Linguistics

LinguisticsUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Minorities & MultilingualismUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
International Relations and International OrganizationUniversity of Groningen

No additional requirements

More information:

With a premaster/minor in Linguistics

Middle Eastern StudiesUniversity of Groningen

No additional requirements

More information:

With a premaster/minor in Linguistics

Classics (part-time)University of Groningen

No additional requirements

More information:

With a premaster/minor in Linguistics

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Students with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Groningen in:

  • Linguistics
  • Minorities and Multilingualism
  • Dutch Language and Culture
  • English Language and Culture
  • European Languages and Cultures

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 a Bachelor's degree from the University of Groningen in:

  • American Studies
  • Communication & Information Sciences
  • International Relations and International Organization
  • Middle-Eastern Studies
  • Greek and Latin Language and Culture/ Classics
  • Information Science

with a Faculty Minor (30 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.

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.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students15 August 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Students with a Bachelor's degree of a research university in Linguistics, with a specialization in linguistics, or with a sufficient number of linguistics courses and research components are eligible for admission to this Master's track.

language test

Additional requirements English: 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.

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.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students15 August 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202501 September 2025
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 18700full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

A Master's degree in Linguistics (Master's track Theoretical and Empirical Linguistics) is:

  • a solid foundation for future teachers, editors, communication experts, etc.
  • an excellent preparation for a social career related to the areas of theoretical linguistics, descriptive linguistics, language development, speech technology, communication and computer linguistics
  • a stepping stone to further study and training with a view to writing a successful PhD thesis.

Job examples

  • Editor
  • Communications expert
  • Linguistics researcher
Research
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NL Scholarships

The University of Groningen offers NL Scholarships to international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who want to do their master’s in the Netherlands. Read more on the NL Scholarships and on how to apply.
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Research Master

Are you interested in a research oriented career? Please also check our Research Master's Programme of Linguistics.

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Study associations

ZaZa

Study association ZaZa is the study association for the study Dutch Language and Culture and Linguistics at the University of Groningen.
As a study association for Dutch Language and Culture and Linguistics, naming the association after our beloved alphabet seemed a perfect fit. After all, what are language and literature without letters? Take the first and the last letter of our alphabet, double them, add a touch of creativity and there it is, our name ZaZa. The goal of ZaZa is to unite students with a passion for the Dutch language/literature and linguistics by organizing both events related and unrelated to our studies. That goal is pursued with the help of eleven active committees, two lustrum committees and two advisory committees.
http://www.zaza-nederlands.nl
Read more
Study support

If you have any questions or doubts about your studies, you can always contact the study advisor. He or she knows all the ins and outs of the program and personal planning. Study advisors are impartial and everything that is discussed is treated confidentially. They can also help you find the right institutions and student desks for your problems.