Prospectus

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First year

The MA programme Linguistics covers one academic year (60 ects). Students have to choose three courses (each 10 ects) in the first semester, of which at least two Advanced courses. In the second semester students choose at least one course (of 10 ects) and write their Master’s thesis (20 ects). Besides this curriculum, students can choose from Extracurricular courses. These give specific knowledge which add to the general knowledge of Linguistics.

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2
Advanced Phonetics 10
Advanced Phonology 10
Advanced Semantics 10
Advanced Syntax 10
Elective: Analysis, Registration and Synthesis of Speech 5
Elective: Cognitive Neuroscience of Language 10
Elective: Language Modeling: Exploiting Logical Form 10
Elective: Methods in Child Language Research 10
Elective: Microvariation: Phonology and Syntax 10
Elective: Morphological Theory 10
Elective: Statistics 5
Elective: Syntax-Semantics Seminar 10
Master Thesis Linguistics 20

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Objectives
Structure
Master’s thesis and requirements for graduation

Objectives

The master’s programme Linguistics aims to strengthen and deepen the knowledge acquired in the course of the bachelor’s programme. Students are presented with theoretical, computational, clinical and experimental linguistics at a high level. The programme prepares students for professions in the fields of linguistic research, language and speech technology, clinical applications, education, or language counselling. In addition, the programme is suitable for those who wish to pursue an academic career in the field of linguistics.
Graduates in Linguistics are able to:

  • compare linguistic data making use of advanced theoretical tools;

  • apply formal methods in constructing models and researching various phenomena in language and speech;

  • use theoretical tools in order to analyse the biological, neurological and psychological dimensions of language and speech. The programme aims to raise students to a level of knowledge and skills that allows them to proceed to PhD research. Alternatively, graduates qualify for positions outside the university that require an academic level of thinking.
    Also see: http://hum.leidenuniv.edu/students/regulations/

Structure

The master’s programme in Linguistics offers a large selection of courses in various linguistic disciplines. In addition to theoretical linguistics, the programme focuses on experimental, clinical and computational aspects of linguistics. The strong link between education and research plays an important role in this programme. Depending on their field of interest, students choose to specialise in one of the following subjects:

  • Clinical and Experimental Linguistics

  • Theoretical Linguistics
    The master’s programme covers one academic year (60 ec) and consists of four consecutive courses of 10 ec each, along with a concluding master’s thesis for 20 ec. The “advanced theory” courses emphasise the theoretical background. The “elective” courses focus on applications of linguistic research. Students may also follow courses of their choice from other programmes. Proposals to this end must be submitted to the Board of Examiners.

Master’s thesis and requirements for graduation

In order to graduate, students must have completed 60 ec of courses including the writing of the thesis. The final component of the master’s programme is the master’s thesis, consisting of approximately 17,000 words. The thesis is evaluated by the lecturer (supervisor) and a second reader.
Also see: Teaching and Examination Regulations