European Master's in Lexicography / Europäischer Master für Lexikographie (EMLex) FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg

Universities: Univ. de Santiago de Compostela, Univ. do Minho, Univ. degli Studi Roma Tre, Univ. de Lorraine, Ilia State University, Károli Gáspár Református Egyetem, Univ. Hildesheim

Associated partners: Leibniz Institute for the German Language (IDS), Göttingen Academy of Sciences, Stellenbosch Univ., Univ. of Abidjan/Innsbruck/Surrey/Texas/Valparaíso

Courses are in German or in English. All participants must know both languages.

The European Master's in Lexicography (EMLex) programme is an internationally unique Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degree (EMJM) that

• promotes the international and interdisciplinary training of lexicographers (unique in Germany and Europe in its present structure),
• teaches lexicographical theories at a high international level,
• sets a focus on the practice of creating online dictionaries, and
• brings together students from all over the world.

Post-graduates will be able to work in the following fields:

• data management
• information systems
• communication services
• terminology
• publishing
• online dictionaries
• language education
• research
• translation
• cross-cultural communication

The four-semester programme can be started in the winter semester; the second semester is done abroad. The programme corresponds to the regulations of the Bologna Process, granting an overall number of 120 ECTS (modules account for 5 or 10 credit points each). The total number of students registered for the EMLex Master's course of study is limited to 30 per year due to the particular design of the summer semester that includes block seminars.

The amount of independent student work is estimated to be very intense; therefore, students are expected to be highly motivated. The modules are either e-learning modules, specific lexicography modules, or modules from other courses of study. Post-graduates will be specialists across Europe and even worldwide as EMLex is unique in Germany as well as in Europe. In addition to the general Master's degree, the students will receive an EMJM certificate documenting their study courses in the international programme.

The curriculum includes the following core topics of lexicography:
typology of dictionaries, research into dictionaries, metalexicography, history of lexicography, corpus work, research into dictionary usage, users’ needs and preconditions of usage, critical research into dictionaries, functions of dictionaries, bilingual lexicography, lexicographical entries, applied lexicography, the lexicographical workshop, lexicographical tools, lexicography for special purposes, terminology and terminography, computational lexicography, electronic dictionaries, encyclopaedic dictionaries, learner lexicography, lexicology, and etymology.

Soft skills include language modules and a computer science module. Aims, contents, and special regulations for the courses can be found in detail in the respective schedules.

Each year, the application period generally lasts from November until February of the following year for scholarship applicants and from 1 November until 15 April of the following year for self-funding applicants. Please note the announcements on our website.

For scholarship holders: no tuition fees
Self-funded participants pay regular tuition fees each semester amounting to 2,000 EUR.
Selected self-funded participants pay reduced tuition fees each semester amounting to 1,000 EUR.

The coordinating institution of the EMJM EMLex is Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (Spain). They have been the coordinating institution since winter semester 2024.

The EMLex is a four-semester programme (120 ECTS) that covers the key areas of lexicography and dictionary research.

First semester: This semester comprises basic modules conveying the basics of lexicography as well as various soft skills. In the first semester, students have to acquire 25-30 ECTS points.

• B1 E-learning module: e-learning (approx. four semester hours per week): basics of lexicography: usage, dictionary, lexicographical entries, typology of dictionaries, lexicography and culture, theory and practice
• B2 Home module: a lexicographically oriented module (approx. four semester hours per week) supervised by university teachers who participate in the Master's programme
• B3 Soft skills module: This module includes two obligatory language courses and one course in computer science or a third language.

Second semester: The summer semester provides an overview of the whole range of lexicography. Each university offers specific knowledge. Advanced modules are taken either as block seminars or as continued courses of two hours per week (5 ECTS each). The students have to acquire 30-35 ECTS but may, however, acquire more (maximum 50 ECTS). The advanced modules are the following:

• A1: Metalexicography
• A2: History of lexicography
• A3: Modelling and representing data in digital lexicography
• A4: Research into dictionary use
• A5: Special field lexicography and terminology
• A6: Computational lexicography
• A7: Dictionaries and translation
• A8: Lexicography and lexicology
• A9: Dictionary planning and production
• A10: Learner lexicography

In the second semester, one university becomes the centre of studies for all students. Therefore, the number of participants is limited. Travel is financed by Erasmus Mundus, Erasmus+, or similar programmes. The teachers from foreign universities stay for three to seven days. Block seminars last from Monday to Friday.

Third semester: This semester is dedicated to the specialisation and application of the knowledge acquired in the second semester via in-depth modules; at the same time, the Master's thesis is prepared and students do an internship of several weeks. The content of the modules depends on the respective university (10 ECTS per module).

• ID1 Online module: This module comprises a series of video lectures by teachers of different universities organised via the Moodle platform. The students have to evaluate the lectures and write a dictionary review.
• ID2 Home module: special topic (depending on the seminars offered at the home university)
  Special requirements are possible.
• ID3 Internship: four-week internship at a publisher, company, or research institute (during the semester break or during the semester)

Fourth semester: The last semester is dedicated to the preparation of the Master's thesis. The Master's thesis will be accompanied by a seminar (home module) (30 ECTS).

An internship of four to eight weeks is obligatory between the second and the third semesters.

2,000 EUR

For scholarship holders: no tuition fees
Self-funded participants pay regular tuition fees each semester amounting to 2,000 EUR.
Selected self-funded participants pay reduced tuition fees each semester amounting to 1,000 EUR.

The semester contribution differs at each participating university; at FAU the semester contribution is 72 EUR.

A first university degree with a mark above average like a BA or equivalent degree (e.g. "Diplom") and a special entrance examination

Good basic knowledge of German and English, which can be deepened in the first semester, is essential for participation because teaching will occur exclusively in these two languages. You can find more information concerning the language requirements here.

Each year, the application period generally lasts from November until February of the following year for scholarship applicants and from 1 November until 15 April of the following year for self-funding applicants. Please note the announcements on our website.

There is a wide range of scholarships available for outstanding students. In addition to requiring applicants to have excellent grades, most scholarship programmes have additional conditions regarding cultural, political, religious, or social involvement. If you have any questions about the application procedure or selection criteria, you can contact the Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) or speak directly to FAU’s liaison officer for the scholarship organisation you wish to apply to.

https://www.fau.eu/study/prospective-students/financing-your-studies

Scholarship holders: Due to the provided scholarship by the EU, it is not possible to work during the whole time of the programme.

Self-funded participants: Part-time jobs are generally possible; a student job at the home university is also possible, if the respective coordinator provides it.

The cities of Erlangen, Fürth, and Nuremberg offer a very good standard of living. They are popular places to live, meaning that accommodation is in high demand but often in short supply. This is particularly the case during the period before the start of a new semester. We therefore recommend that you start looking for accommodation as soon as possible. If you are flexible and also look in the surrounding area, you will have a better chance of finding somewhere affordable to live. The region has an excellent public transport system, so you should not have any problems getting to your place of study or work.

It is worth checking the available accommodation on the Internet every day, as new accommodation becomes available on a day-to-day basis. It pays to be flexible when it comes to the price, location, and available facilities of your accommodation.

Student Services Erlangen-Nürnberg runs its own student accommodation in Erlangen and Nuremberg. You will be informed about how to apply for a room in Student Services accommodation while you are in the process of applying to be admitted to FAU.

At every participating university

Founded in 1743, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) is now one of the largest research universities in Germany with 40,996 students and 276 degree programmes. The five faculties cover the entire spectrum of modern academic disciplines – from humanities, social sciences and theology to medicine, law, economics, sciences and engineering.

One of FAU’s defining features is its commitment to interdisciplinary teaching and research, which frequently go beyond the boundaries of individual subjects.

FAU’s outstanding research and teaching is reflected in top positions in both national and international rankings as well as the high amount of DFG funding that its researchers are able to secure.

FAU is based in three cities – Erlangen, Fürth and Nuremberg. Each of the FAU campuses is closely connected to the social and economic pulse of these cities. Studying and city life at FAU go hand in hand, so much so that it’s hard to tell city and campus life apart.

"Moving Knowledge" is our motto and guiding principle at FAU. Therefore, we strive to generate knowledge to shape the future responsibly and openly share knowledge with all stakeholders in society to drive prosperity and create value. We also use knowledge to improve our world for future generations.

FAU’s two main sites, the cities of Erlangen and Nuremberg, are located at the heart of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region. Both Erlangen and Nuremberg have their own unique charms. Erlangen is a city of 100,000 inhabitants, was the former home of the Huguenots, and it is a key location for Siemens. Nuremberg is a city with a metropolitan flair and a population of half a million. The opera, theatre, and museums, along with a lively pub scene and nightlife, offer plenty of opportunities to relax after a day in the lecture theatre, lab, or library. The highlights of the cultural calendar in Erlangen include the "Hörkunstfestival" (acoustic art festival), International Comic Salon, "figuren.theater.festival" (puppet theatre festival), "Poetenfest" (poetry festival), and the "ARENA… of the young arts" theatre and performance festival. A wide range of cultural institutions open their doors to visitors during the Blue Night in Nuremberg, and once every two years, the Long Night of Sciences gives the public a chance to take a look inside research institutions in Erlangen, Nuremberg, and Fürth. In summary, the mixture of academia, innovative companies, art, and culture makes the region the perfect place for creative minds. There is also plenty on offer for keen athletes and nature lovers. Fränkische Schweiz, a paradise for climbers and walkers, is located to the north of Erlangen and is at FAU’s doorstep. Water sports enthusiasts will love the Franconian lakes and the university’s water sports centre, which is located just south of Nuremberg.