Career prospects

Graduates will find openings in the traditional fields for linguists where the structure of language plays a role:

• In editorial offices with all kinds of publishers (including school book and specialized publishers), radio and television companies
• Companies concerned with language technology and language processing
• Archives and documentation centres

In addition to this, the master’s programme offers the foundations for work in:

• public authorities or adult education
• educational and administrative facilities at local, municipal, individual state and federal state level
• media and public relations work
• national and international cultural work
• national and international organisations, associations and enterprises.

If you are aiming for an academic career, you can follow up with doctoral studies.

You can find out more about career entry in the interview series #dreamjob - Starting a career. Alumni of the University of Konstanz report on their very personal career entry.

Start of study

Winter semester | Summer semester

Study structure

The study programme consists of 7 modules. A total of 120 ECTS-Credits (cr) are required, 54 of which are in the general area (modules 1-2, and module 7), and 66 in the individual areas of specialization (modules 3-6). Here you will find a guide for your Master's thesis. 

You can find a detailed overview of the academic structure and concrete contents on the website of the department.

These documents will support you in planning your studies:

• Module guide
• Examination regulation

At the University of Konstanz, you have a broad range of opportunities and training options that complement your study programme, for example orientation programmes to support new students, learning guidance, language courses, a data and information literacy programme as well as options promoting career-oriented skills and social commitment.

• GoMINt – orientation programme in STEM subjects
• Writing Centre – writing tutoring, joint writing sessions and workshops
• Language courses at the Language Institute
• Learning guidance, study tips, time management – workshops offered by the Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB)

• Advanced Data and Information Literacy Track (ADILT) – programme can be completed with a certificate
• Transfer – practical projects (research, business, politics and society)
• qualification N – Sustainability Certificate at the University of Konstanz

• Profil+ – programme for career skills (German skills required)
• Career Passport – programme for career skills (for international students)
• Advice on career entry, opportunities and workshops from Career Service

Internship

An internship is not compulsory in this programme, but if you wish to gain experience, the department and our Career Service are here to help you find a suitable placement.

Stay abroad

A study abroad stay is highly recommended by the department. The university promotes study abroad via Erasmus+ and numerous other exchange programmes.

Hear from students and lecturers
In our interview series, students talk about their subject, teachers explain the department's research and tell you what topics they cover in seminars and lectures.

• Three Questions to Stephanie, BA Linguistics
• Three Questions to Stephanie, BA Linguistics

Get an impression
Discover online lectures and websites with more information about your prospective subject.

• Information page for the MA Linguistics
• Information page of the Department of Linguistics
• Lecture Recordings (Linguistics)

• To gain access to this master's programme you need a qualifying degree with the grade "good" (2.5) or better of a three-year (or more) study programme in the field of linguistics (minimum degree: Bachelor of Arts or equivalent) at an institution of higher education or Berufsakademie. In exceptional cases applicants may be admitted who have completed a qualifying degree in another, comparable study programme with academic achievements that make a successful participation in the Master's Programme in Linguistics likely.
• Letter of motivation: An application letter in English (at most one page), providing information on your motivation and suitability for the study programme.
• International applicants need documentation of their German language skills, level DSH-2 or TestDaF 4, or a language test recognised as equivalent. For the areas of specialization English Linguistics, General Linguistics and Double-Degree Option with the Università di Verona, no German language skills are required.
• Foreign language skills: You have to provide documentation of English language skills (spoken and written English), level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
  • For the area of specialization English Linguistics: English language skills level C1 (CEFR)
  • For the area of specialization Romance Languages and Linguistics: language skills level C1 (CEFR) in the corresponding language.
  • For the area of specialization Slavic Languages and Linguistics: Russian language skills level C1 (CEFR).

Further information can be found in the admission regulations.

Semester fee
All students enrolled at the University of Konstanz are charged a semester fee each semester, similar to all other German universities. Here you can find the current semester fee and its individual components.

Tuition fees for first degree studies for certain international students
Since winter semester 2017/18, the state of Baden-Württemberg has required some international students to pay tuition fees for their first degree studies. The following students are not required to pay tuition fees: citizens of a country within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), doctoral students and certain “Bildungsinländer” (e.g. non-EU citizens with a German “Abitur”). More detailed information can be found here.

Each year, the University of Konstanz grants exemptions to a limited number of particularly gifted international degree-seeking students in accordance with the university’s “Begabtenbefreiungssatzung” (statutes governing the exemption of gifted students). More detailed information can be found here.

Tuition fees for second degree studies for all students
All students are required to pay tuition fees for their second degree studies. More detailed information can be found here.

Foreign language skills
You have to provide documentation of English language skills (spoken and written English), level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

• For the area of specialization English Linguistics: English language skills level C1 (CEFR)
• For the area of specialization Romance Languages and Linguistics: language skills level C1 (CEFR) in the corresponding language.
• For the area of specialization Slavic Languages and Linguistics: Russian language skills level C1 (CEFR).

German language skills
International applicants also need documentation of their German language skills, corresponding to level DSH 2 or a minimum of 4 points in all 4 areas of the TestDaf. For the areas of specialization English Linguistics, General Linguistics and Double-Degree Option with the Università di Verona, no German language skills are required.

Course may be held in other languages than German. Consequently, course work and academic performance assessments can be completed in this language, too.

The Master’s Programme in Linguistics is designed for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in linguistics or philology. Applicants should have the following skills:

• Enthusiasm for language(s) and their structure
• Formal and networked ability to think
• Very good English skills

Application documents

• Documentation of your academic degree including a detailed description of your coursework and performance assessments. If you have not received your examination certificate by the application deadline, please attach documentation of all completed performance assessments that will be used to calculate your final grade
• Letter of motivation: An application letter in English (at most one page), providing information on your motivation and suitability for the study programme.
• You have to provide documentation of English language skills (spoken and written English), level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). For the area of specialization "English Language and Linguistics": documentation of English language skills level C1 (CEFR)
• For the area of specialization "Romance Languages and Linguistics": documentation of language skills level C1 (CEFR) in the corresponding language you will study in-depth.
• For the area of specialization "Slavic Languages and Linguistics": documentation of Russian language skills level C1 (CEFR).
• Applicants who have not completed their higher education entrance qualification at a German secondary education school: documentation of adequate German language skills (DSH level 2 or a minimum of 4 points in all four areas of the TestDaF).
• For the areas of specialization English Linguistics, General Linguistics and Double-Degree Option with the Università di Verona, no German language skills are required.
• When recognising degrees completed outside of Germany and converting grade into the German grading standard, the recommendations of the Kultusministerkonferenz (conference of ministers of education) - Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen ZaB (Central Office for Foreign Education), Agreements on Equivalence of the Federal Republic of Germany and agreements with partner universities have to be considered.
• Current certificate of enrolment or proof of exmatriculation (if you have studied at a German university, please indicate your 'Fachsemester’ and ‘Hochschulsemester’).
  
  Important note: Please note the information provided in the tab "Admission requirements".

International applicants

• If your documents are not available in German or English, you will need to have them translated. Please submit a German or English translation of your documents along with the original versions.
• Documentation of German language skills, level DSH-2 or TestDaF 4, or a language test recognised as equivalent. 
• For the areas of specialization English Lingustics, General linguistics and Double-Degree Option with the Università di Verona, no German language skills are required.
• Applicants from China, India and Vietnam: APS certificate (original) issued by the German Embassy of your home country

An application is possible during the following period: 07.05. - 15.06. | 29.11. - 15.01.
There may be other deadlines if you are applying for admission to a higher semester (for instance, if you are changing subjects or universities). For more information please consult the university website .

The Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB) can help you with general questions about finding the right study programme as well as when you are concerned or unsure about your studies. We will be happy to advise you and support you with a wide range of services .

Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB)
Room: D 409 – 412a
Make an appointment: termin.zsb@uni-konstanz.de

Questions related to the content or organization of the study programme:
Departmental student advisory service
Dr. Anika Lloyd-Smith
Contact person room G 121
Phone: +49 7531 88-2581
Email: linguistik.studienberatung@uni-konstanz.de