Linguistics: Empirical and Theoretical Foundations University of Potsdam

Courses are held in English (100%).

The English language Master’s programme in Linguistics: Empirical and Theoretical Foundations is an interdisciplinary course of studies. It deepens the subject-specific knowledge, methods, and skills acquired in the field of empirical and theoretical linguistics during one's Bachelor’s studies. The degree programme combines the formal implementation of findings in modern grammar models for all core areas (phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics) with experimental investigation methods and field research. The programme provides comprehensive, detailed, and specialised knowledge in formal and experimental linguistics. Students will be taught to recognise and analyse current research trends, to critically reflect on them, and to develop their own research questions as well as the methods to answer them.

Information about the application deadlines can be found here.

Join our online Master's Info Day on 13 March 2026 to learn about the Master’s programmes, career prospectives, and life in Potsdam.

Introductory Phase (all modules mandatory):

• "Intro to Phonology and Morphology" module (first semester)
• "Intro to Syntax and Semantics" module (first semester)
• "Statistics and Programming" module (first semester)

Specialisation Phase (elective; three out of five modules)

• "Phonology" module (second and third semester)
• "Morphology" module (second and third semester)
• "Syntax" module (second and third semester)
• "Semantics" module (second and third semester)
• "Psycholinguistics" module (second and third semester)

Empirical Methods Phase (elective; one out of two modules)

• "Neurolinguistics/psycholinguistics" module (second and third semester)
• "Fieldwork" module (second and third semester)

Advanced Phase (elective; one out of two modules)

• "Extension Module I" module (second and third semester)
• "Extension Module II" module (second and third semester)

MSc thesis (fourth semester)

No tuition fees

No tuition is charged for studying at the University of Potsdam (with the exception of a few continuing education courses). There is only an administrative fee of currently 292 EUR. This semester contribution includes the "Deutschland-Semester-Ticket" entitling you to free use of local public transport all over Germany.

The average monthly living expenditures of students at the University of Potsdam are 941 EUR, but this can vary between 600 and 1,100 EUR, largely depending on accommodation. A more detailed list of the average monthly expenditures of our students can be found here.

In general, the prerequisite for studying in a Master’s degree programme is a first professionally qualifying academic degree, e.g. a Bachelor’s degree. You should have completed your first degree in a linguistics subject relevant to the Master’s programme, such as linguistics, general/theoretical linguistics, clinical linguistics / patholinguistics, computational linguistics, linguistics of an individual language with 180 CP or in another course with a linguistic component of at least 90 CP (or 50% of the respective total number of points).

English language skills that are at least equivalent to level B2 of the European Framework of Reference for Languages

Information about the application deadlines can be found here.

No

Job opportunities for students alongside their studies are numerous. Depending on personal and professional skills, students can find jobs in the service sector (e.g. in restaurants, supermarkets, cinemas, museums, theatres, etc.) or work as student research assistants at the University of Potsdam or at one of the many non-university research institutions located in the area. Berlin, the capital city of Germany, is located just around the corner, and students can also find jobs there. Please see this website for further information.

There are several student dormitories in Potsdam. These are administered exclusively by Brandenburg's Association for Student Affairs ("Studierendenwerk West:Brandenburg"). You can apply for a room in one of these dormitories if you are under the age of 30. If you are a Master's student, you can only apply if the degree at the University of Potsdam is your first Master's programme. Additionally, there are also a few private dormitories in Potsdam, to which these conditions do not apply. However, many students prefer to find an apartment in Potsdam or Berlin, which they often share with fellow students. The housing market is very tight, so please start looking for an accommodation as early as possible.

For information on how to register for a dorm room or find accommodation elsewhere, please click here.

The Career Service of the University of Potsdam supports students and graduates who want to actively shape their careers. The aim is to ensure comprehensive career orientation and to provide opportunities for the development of professional skills. The Career Service offers workshops, seminars, and individual counselling. There are information pages on a wide range of occupational fields as well as a database of internships and jobs. Many of the services are also available in English. For more info, visit https://www.uni-potsdam.de/en/career-service