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

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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 >	1a	1b	2a	2b
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...

All Research universities

University of Groningen

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Linguistics	All Research universities	No additional requirements
Duitse Taal en Cultuur	All Research universities	No additional requirements More information: With a specialization or premaster/minor in Linguistics
Engelse Taal en Cultuur	All Research universities	No additional requirements More information: With a specialization or premaster/minor in Linguistics
Minorities & Multilingualism	All Research universities	No additional requirements
Dutch Language and Culture	All Research universities	No additional requirements More information: With a specialization or premaster/minor in Linguistics
Romaanse Talen en Culturen	All Research universities	No additional requirements More information: With a specialization or premaster/minor in Linguistics
Scandinavische Talen en Culturen	All Research universities	No additional requirements More information: With a specialization or premaster/minor in Linguistics
Slavische Talen en Culturen	All Research universities	No additional requirements More information: With a specialization or premaster/minor in Linguistics
European Languages and Cultures	All Research universities	Additional requirements More information: With a specialization or premaster/ minor in Linguistics

Study programme	Organization	Transition
European Languages and Cultures	University of Groningen	No additional requirements
English Language and Culture	University of Groningen	No additional requirements
Dutch Language and Culture	University of Groningen	No additional requirements
Communication and Information Studies	University of Groningen	No additional requirements More information: With a premaster/minor in Linguistics
Information Science	University of Groningen	No additional requirements More information: With a premaster/minor in Linguistics
American Studies	University of Groningen	No additional requirements More information: With a premaster/minor in Linguistics
Linguistics	University of Groningen	No additional requirements
Minorities & Multilingualism	University of Groningen	No additional requirements
International Relations and International Organization	University of Groningen	No additional requirements More information: With a premaster/minor in Linguistics
Middle Eastern Studies	University 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 requirements	More 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 student	Deadline	Start course
Dutch students	15 August 2025	01 September 2025
EU/EEA students	01 May 2025	01 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students	01 May 2025	01 September 2025

Admission requirements

Specific requirements	More 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 student	Deadline	Start course
Dutch students	15 August 2025	01 September 2025
EU/EEA students	01 May 2025	01 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students	01 May 2025	01 September 2025

Tuition fees

Nationality	Year	Fee	Programme form
EU/EEA	2024-2025	€ 2530	full-time
non-EU/EEA	2024-2025	€ 18700	full-time

Practical information for:

Dutch students International students

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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Sjors van Ooij (academic advisor)
Email: studieadviseurtaalwetenschap rug.nl
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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.

Research Master

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

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