Master's Degree in Multilingualism University of Konstanz

Université Bordeaux Montaigne (double-degree option)

The core elements of the programme are all taught in English in Konstanz. Upon availability, there might also be courses taught in German or other modern languages. At the Université Bordeaux Montaigne (double-degree option), courses generally have French as the language of instruction.
You can complete your studies with only taking courses taught in English if you do not follow the double-degree track.

The innovative Master’s programme in Multilingualism incorporates cutting-edge research in linguistics and multilingualism. It is conducted at the Department of Linguistics at the University of Konstanz, a research-intensive department that is part of the German Excellence Initiative.

Students who choose the double-degree option with the Université Bordeaux Montaigne will conduct half of their studies in Bordeaux following the “Sciences du langage” programme, focus "Plurilinguisme". The emphasis of this part of the Master's programme is regional multilingualism in France, especially in the area and surroundings of Aquitaine. For more information, click here.

Multilingualism is taught in English (and French in Bordeaux) and suits students who have a background in linguistics, education, psychology, cognitive science, speech and language therapy or related fields as well as students who have a strong interest in how language develops across different types of bilingual and multilingual groups. Within this two-year programme, students develop their knowledge and skills of linguistics; gain training in research design, research methods, and statistics; and receive solid training in a range of areas of multilingualism, including psycholinguistic, neurolinguistic, and sociolinguistic perspectives. The Department of Linguistics at the University of Konstanz has state-of-the art facilities that include reaction time, eye-tracking, ERP, baby lab facilities that can be used by the students, and more.

Students who choose the double-degree option spend the first year at the Université Bordeaux Montaigne. This enables them to gain international experience by studying within the French university system as a degree-seeking student. In the second year, they take classes at the University of Konstanz.

Students who do not choose the double-degree option spend one semester in the second year abroad at a university of their choice or do an internship at an organisation in Germany or abroad. This enables them to gain international experience, put their theoretical knowledge into practice, and develop professional and practical skills. The Department of Linguistics collaborates with many universities worldwide – click here for more information. It also has relationships with a range of organisations in Germany and abroad that have hosted students for an internship in the past. For the internship, students needn't go abroad; they can stay in Konstanz and surrounding areas.

The combination of knowledge, training, and the application of the theoretical aspects of linguistics, research methods, and multilingualism prepares students for academic and non-academic careers. Students who graduate from the programme are excellent candidates for PhD programmes.

Skills acquired in the programme are applicable to various professions in educational, administrative and international institutions, international associations, organisations, and global enterprises that operate in a multicultural environment.

For applicants not interested in the double-degree option:

• 15 May for the following winter semester
• 15 January for the following summer semester

For applicants interested in the double-degree option with the Université Bordeaux Montaigne: There is only one intake in the winter semester. For this, 15 May is the sole deadline.

Students from a European Union (EU) member state or from the European Economic Area (EEA) are not required to pay tuition fees for their first degree in Germany.
Students from countries outside of the EU or EEA are required to pay 1,500 EUR in tuition fees per semester.
You find all information about tuition fees and scholarships on our website.

The Master's programme in Multilingualism (with or without the double-degree option) is a two-year programme (four semesters) with a workload of 120 ECTS points.

In the first two semesters (in Konstanz or with the double-degree option in Bordeaux), students typically take nine courses in linguistics, research methods, multilingualism and the individual, multilingualism in society, and a related discipline. The linguistics courses provide a solid grounding in linguistics and include all levels of analysis (phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and their interfaces). The research methods courses include training in quantitative methods and statistics as well as experimental design and methods in language acquisition research. The courses on multilingualism and the individual include courses on bilingual first language acquisition, heritage language acquisition, second language acquisition, third language acquisition, psycholinguistic, neurolinguistic, and clinical aspects of multilingualism. The courses on multilingualism in society include courses on sociolinguistic and sociological aspects of multilingualism, language contact, language change, and language attrition. The related discipline courses enable students to bring an interdisciplinary dimension to the programme. Students can take a course from a related discipline (e.g., politics, psychology, sociology), take an extra linguistics course, or study a foreign language.

In the third semester, students without the double-degree option participate in a study abroad visit or complete an internship. This enables them to gain experience in an additional academic environment and become part of an international academic network (study abroad) or develop some practical skills within a non-academic organisation (internship). Students who choose the double-degree option stay in Konstanz and take courses at the university.

The fourth semester is devoted to empirical research and the Master's thesis as well as the oral exam. In addition, students attend a research colloquium and a research seminar.

Module One: Linguistic Foundations
Module Two: Methods
Module Three: Multilingualism and the Individual
Module Four: Multilingualism in Society
Module Five: Study abroad or internship (without the double-degree option)
Module Six: Related Disciplines and Language courses (additional courses)
Module Seven: Research
Module Eight: Master's thesis and Oral exam

The Master's programme in Multilingualism includes a study abroad unit in the third semester (without double-degree option). The Linguistics Department collaborates with a large number of universities worldwide that conduct research on multilingualism and can recommend suitable departments for the semester abroad part of the programme.

Students who choose the double-degree option will spend the first two semesters in Bordeaux.

Students who prefer to gain practical experience in their third semester can do an internship for 21 weeks at a non-academic organisation in Germany or abroad, e.g., at a school, a company, or an NGO. The Linguistics Department has excellent relationships with non-academic organisations that have been chosen by students in the past. This applies to students who do not choose the double-degree option.

Varied

Students from a European Union (EU) member state or from the European Economic Area (EEA) are not required to pay tuition fees for their first degree in Germany.
Students from countries outside of the EU or EEA are required to pay 1,500 EUR in tuition fees per semester.
You find all information about tuition fees and scholarships on our website.

Students currently pay the following fees per semester:

• Administrative fee: 80 EUR
• Student services fee: 115 EUR
• Student body fee: 14 EUR

See the overview by the Division of Student Affairs and Teaching.

If you apply for the double-degree option, fees at Bordeaux will be waived.

The cost of living for students in Konstanz was approx. 997 EUR per month as of 2021 (by now, we recommend calculating with an additional 150 EUR on average per month). Example of the average monthly living cost in Konstanz:

• Rent (including utilities): 409 EUR
• Food: 194 EUR
• Phone, internet, broadcasting fees: 29 EUR
• Clothing, laundry, personal hygiene: 40 EUR
• Learning materials (books, copies): 28 EUR
• Medical care, medicine: 97 EUR
• Leisure time, culture, sports: 60 EUR
• Health and nursing care insurance: 140 EUR

1. Applicants must have an above-average Bachelor's degree in linguistics, education, psychology, speech and language therapy, or a related discipline. Since the programme has a strong linguistics component, it is important that students have some previous knowledge in linguistics. The grade point average of your Bachelor's degree should at least correspond to the German grade 2.5 (good). Students in the final year of their Bachelor's studies, who have not yet graduated, are welcome to apply.
2. Applicants must provide documentation of advanced English language skills (see below)
3. For the double-degree option with the Université Bordeaux Montaigne, French is required additionally (also see below).
4. Applicants must submit an application letter to demonstrate their suitability and motivation for the study programme.

A description of the admission requirements can be found in the admission regulations of the University of Konstanz. Please also see admission regulations for the study programme MA Multilingualism, or for the double-degree option.

Documentation of advanced English language skills (spoken and written English) at level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

For the double-degree option with the Université Bordeaux Montaigne, additional documentation of advanced French language skills (spoken and written French) at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages is required.

For applicants not interested in the double-degree option:

• 15 May for the following winter semester
• 15 January for the following summer semester

For applicants interested in the double-degree option with the Université Bordeaux Montaigne: There is only one intake in the winter semester. For this, 15 May is the sole deadline.

Students with great academic credentials and community service experience can apply for scholarships. In the case of unexpected financial hardship, the university will try to help with emergency financial support. For an overview of financial support options, see this overview by the Division of Student Affairs and Teaching. You may also apply for the Deutschlandstipendium, which amounts to 300 EUR per month and is awarded without regard to income for a minimum of two semesters. Students within the double degree track will receive a scholarship for the academic year abroad. Additionally, students can apply for a mobility grant from the Erasmus+ programme.

If you want to earn some extra cash while you study, you can get a student job. The university administration and many departments offer student assistant jobs. You can find a number of advertisements for jobs both on and off campus on online platforms (in German):

Jobbörse Seezeit: the job portal of "Seezeit", which is our student services

Hilfskraftstellen an der Universität | Datenbank Career Service: our career service’s job portal

Jobs are also posted on the university’s notice boards in the foyer and canteen areas as well as in the departments.

For Bordeaux, the website form the CROUS (http://www.crous-bordeaux.fr/) offers help to find a student job.

For further information, you can take a look at these websites:
https://jobetudiant.net/
http://www.jobaviz.fr/
http://www.info-jeune.net/accueil/

There are a number of possibilities for student accommodation in apartments, flat shares, or residence halls run by the university. Check out our website, where we provide an overview of the different options as well as general tips. You can also contact the team of our International Office for advice on housing.

Please note that it is important to begin your search for accommodation as early as possible because our city and surrounding areas are very popular not only with students but also with families and outdoor enthusiasts. As a result, the available living space is limited and may not be inexpensive.

Information on housing in Bordeaux can be found here. Applications by nominated students have a priority for campus housing, and everything regarding campus housing is centralised by the International Office at Bordeaux Montaigne.

The University of Konstanz has a Career Office for all university students:
https://www.uni-konstanz.de/en/study/advice-and-services/career-service/

The Université Bordeaux Montagine has a career service called DOSIP. For further information, see: http://www.u-bordeaux-montaigne.fr/fr/formations/orientation-et-insertion.html