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Humanities Research - Linguistics, Master Degree, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

the Netherlands

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Study options for this course

The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
Master Degree	Full-time	1 year	September	EUR 2694 per year	EUR 17480 per year

About Humanities Research - Linguistics, Master Degree - at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Keen to develop in-depth knowledge of the theories, methods and techniques of your research field, connecting them with other disciplines? Curious to find out how your research relates to societal issues? Make the connections that lead to inspiring humanities research.

The Humanities (Research) Master is a unique programme that provides extensive training in research design, in an inspiring and sustainable interdisciplinary research environment. The programme offers excellent preparation for an internationally oriented academic career or for other research-related positions.

Are you looking for excellent expertise in linguistics, coupled with a challenging specialisation in newly developing research fields that are fundamentally relevant to today’s society? The Linguistics track trains you as a professional linguistic researcher, specialised in either Human Language Technology or Forensic Linguistics.

Human Language Technology

Human Language Technology is a rapidly evolving research field that holds an unique position between linguistics and computer science. A firm background in language technology and the ability to process large data sets are valuable tools in linguistic research. Through our intensive programme, you’ll become a true professional in human language technology.

The track is offered by the Computational Linguistics and Text Mining Lab, an internationally acclaimed research group in computational linguistics.

Forensic Linguistics

Forensic Linguistics is a rapidly evolving field, which entails the application of linguistic analysis to legal issues and criminal investigations. The programme includes a mix of lectures, seminars, and hands-on practical work, where you'll have the opportunity to work on real-life case materials, analysing written and spoken language.

You'll do research with real-life implications, from solving linguistic puzzles as encountered in criminal investigations to improving professional communication and protecting those who may be at a linguistic disadvantage.

Linguistics is one of the tracks of the (Research) Master Humanities’ programme.

Summer School

Apply to VU Amsterdam Summer School and develop your academic skills in a focused and inspiring study abroad experience.

Learn more about Humanities Research - Linguistics, Master Degree - at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

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Entry requirements

1. Academic requirements

Your previous education needs to be deemed equivalent to at least a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO) obtained at a research university (nominal duration 3 years).

2. Programme specific requirements

The Humanities (Research) Master programme is aimed at talented students who are exceptionally motivated to be trained in academic methods in their specific field of humanities. The two-year (Research) Master's is a good option for students who are interested in pursuing a PhD after their MA, but also more in general for students who cherish critical attitude, arrive at original lines of questioning based on a profound knowledge of their research subject, and wish to develop their research skills.

Within the Humanities (Research) Master programme; track Linguistics, students can choose between the subtracks Human Language Technology and Forensic Linguistics:

Human Language Technology: to be eligible to the programme, the student should have a Bachelor’s degree in linguistics, computer science, or a related academic degree. Students must have a clear interest in an interdisciplinary study that combines knowledge and skills in the fields of linguistics, AI and computer science.

Forensic Linguistics: to be eligible to the programme, the student should have a Bachelor’s degree in linguistics or a related bachelor's degree.

Admission is also based on strict selection criteria:

proof of excellent study results: outstanding grade for your bachelor’s thesis or similar final work (7.5 or higher), and an average of no less than 7.5 for a relevant selection of your bachelor’s programme (to be decided by the Admission Board).
and clear motivation for doing academic research: showing evidence of enthusiasm, commitment, intellectual curiosity, genuine interest, perseverance, and capacity for sustained study

The Faculty’s Admission Board will decide upon your admission after having evaluated your complete online application.

3. English-language proficiency requirements

You will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. You can find an overview of relevant information to demonstrate your English language proficiency on the language requirement page.

Fees, Funding and Scholarships at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Need financial assistance? Read about scholarships: Scholarships for Master's programmes

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Masters Webinar

Each year, we organise an online session for aspiring Master's students that covers everything you need to know about the application process and beyond. This year, the International Master's webinar took place on Tuesday, October 15, at 16:00 (CET). You can watch the recordings all year.

During the webinar, you will have the opportunity to:

Discover what it is like to study at VU Amsterdam;
Learn everything you need to know about the admission and application process;
Get the latest insights on scholarship opportunities;
Hear first-hand experiences from one of our current international students about being a student in the Netherlands' dynamic capital city.

Bachelors Webinar

Each year we organise an online session for aspiring Bachelor's students that covers all you need to know about the application process and beyond. This year, the International Bachelor's webinar took place on Thursday 24 October at 16:00 (CET). You can watch the recorder version all year.

During the webinar, you will have the opportunity to:

Discover what it is like to study at VU Amsterdam;
Learn everything you need to know about the admission and application process;
Ask all your questions about the housing market in Amsterdam;
Hear first-hand experiences from one of our current international students about being a student in the Netherlands' dynamic capital city.