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Universität Hamburg
Master German Social Sciences

Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft [Linguistics]General Linguistics

Master of Arts (M.A.)

About the Program

In the Master's program in General Linguistics, students learn to analyze the functions and characteristics of linguistic phenomena across languages. Learning objectives include the targeted use of empirical methods, critical assessment of theoretical concepts, and proficient handling of modern analytical methods in the field. Additionally, students gain insights into general characteristics of human languages - related to their development, relationship to cognitive processes, and social practice. Structural knowledge from at least two non-Indo-European languages is taught. Students can set an individual focus by choosing one of three specialized profiles: Language Typology, Language Use, or Language Perception. Beyond these specializations, the program offers opportunities to engage with additional research areas such as language teaching research, variation linguistics and regional language research (especially Low German), or media linguistics and computer philology. The program's environment is expanded through cooperations within the university (e.g., Department of Computer Science) as well as national and international partnerships.

General Requirements

Specific requirements for this program are not in our database yet. The following are typical for this degree and language in Germany — always verify the exact requirements on the program's official page.

Academic qualification

A recognised Bachelor's degree in a related field; some programs require a minimum grade or specific prerequisites.

Language

German at C1 level (DSH-2, TestDaF TDN 4, Goethe-Zertifikat C1, or telc C1 Hochschule).

Typical documents

  • Recognised diploma and transcript (certified translations)
  • Language certificate
  • Passport and passport photo
  • Tabular CV (Lebenslauf)
  • Letter of motivation (for many programs)
  • Application via uni-assist / VPD (for most international applicants)

Which Professions Does This Program Open Up?

Related profession searches from Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BERUFENET) data:

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Subjects / Topic Areas

Linguistics

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft [Linguistics] at Universität Hamburg

Is Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft [Linguistics] at Universität Hamburg taught in German or English? ▼

This Master programme is taught in German. Make sure to check the language requirements (e.g. TestDaF, DSH, IELTS or TOEFL) before applying.

How much does the Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft [Linguistics] programme cost? ▼

No tuition fee (only semester contribution). International students should also budget around 800–1000 EUR/month for living costs in Germany.

What are the admission requirements for Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft [Linguistics] at Universität Hamburg? ▼

Typical requirements include: a recognised secondary/undergraduate degree, proof of language proficiency (German), and (for non-EU applicants) a uni-assist application plus financial proof (Sperrkonto ~11.904 EUR/year).

When is the application deadline? ▼

Application deadlines vary: winter semester usually closes on 15 July, summer semester on 15 January. Always confirm the exact deadline on the official university website.

Can I work in Germany while studying Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft [Linguistics]? ▼

Yes. International students may work up to 140 working days a year without additional permission (a day of up to 4 hours counts as half a day). After graduation you can apply for an 18-month job-seeker permit.

How do I apply to Universität Hamburg — directly or via uni-assist? ▼

Most German universities accept international applications through uni-assist for document verification. Some unis accept direct applications — check the programme page on the official site.

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