Master DegreeSociolinguistics and Multilingualism
| Study location | Lithuania, 1st sem. - Kaunas, 2nd sem. - Mainz, 3rd sem. - Tartu or Stockholm, 4th sem. Kaunas or Mainz |
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| Academic field | Linguistics (JACS Q100) |
| Type | Graduate, full-time |
| Nominal duration | 2 years (120 ECTS) |
| Study language | English |
| Awards | Master Degree (Master of Linguistics (joint-degree)) |
| Tuition fee | €250 per semester VMU, Lithuania: semester fee 250 Eur |
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| Application fee | €100 one-time Non-EU applicants shall pay through the Flywire portal. Application fee is not refundable. |
| Entry qualification | Undergraduate diploma (or higher) - Bachelor degree diploma or equivalent degree in Humanities or Social Sciences. The Bachelor Degree shall contain at least 30 ECTS in the field of linguistics or philology. Minimum 60% CGPA Admission score is counted based on: In case there is no evaluation of bachelor thesis or final examination, arithmetic average of bachelor degree diploma supplement all subjects * 0.5. A letter with a transcript of records should be sent by email from your previous study institution (University) directly to Vytautas Magnus University International Cooperation Department email address – recognition@vdu.lt and by post: Vytautas Magnus University Transcript of Records should list all the subjects, grades, credits and/or hours The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English. Often you can get a suitable transcript from your school. If this is not the case, you will need official translations along with verified copies of the original. You must take verified copies of the entry qualification documents along with you when you finally go to the university. |
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| Language requirements | English Proof of English Language: Students from non-partner universities are asked to provide documents proving the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (e.g. TOEFL 87 iBT/534, IELTS 5.5). |
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| Other requirements | A motivation letter must be added to your application. Admission interview. Virtual interviews are conducted online with admissions representatives using video chat software. Applicants who meet minimum requirements are invited by email to schedule their interview date with the Admissions Committee. Upload your Curriculum vitae (CV); Example |
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Overview
Sociolinguistics and Multilingualism (SoMu) is an international joint-degree study programme offered by Vytautas Magnus University (VMU), Kaunas, Lithuania, Johannes-Gutenberg University (JGU), Mainz, Germany, Stockholm University (SU), Stockholm, Sweden, and the University of Tartu (UT), Tartu, Estonia. SoMu trains a new generation of sociolinguists who will possess a broad scholarly and practical understanding of the parallel use of multiple languages in Europe and a professional awareness of multilingualism’s social dynamics and its cultural, political and socioeconomic impact in varying European contexts.
During their four-semester studies, students’ study in three different universities:
• The first semester is taught in Kaunas at Vytautas Magnus University.
• The second in Mainz at Johannes-Gutenberg University.
• For the third semester students choose between Stockholm and Tartu.
• And the fourth semester students stay at the university of the main supervisor of their MA thesis.
The programme is meant for students, who are interested in the role of language in society. With its geographical focus on the entire Baltic-Sea region, the programme is unique amongst all sociolinguistic MA programmes in Europe in the width of languages and societies covered in it. The language of instruction is English.
Career opportunities
Sociolinguistics and Multilingualism offers students a possibility for professional networking and perspectives for their future job mobility within the European labor market. Its successful completion opens an access to further academic studies in thematically related third cycle (doctoral) programs with a subsequent career within the academia and/or a wide array of employment possibilities in the private and the public sectors.
The market and job trends signal the demand for versatile specialists in multilingualism issues, and the graduates of this program can expect to find employment in the following fields:
• Academic sphere, e.g., research tasks and/or doctoral studies in sociolinguistics, cross-cultural communication, identity, multilingualism, regionalism, etc.
• Counseling on multilingualism issues at political and cultural institutions, including the EU institutions.
• Counseling and analytical teaching on multilingualism issues in educational institutions of all levels.
• Counseling business and finance organizations in issues involving multilingualism and regional and economic cooperation.
• Various international, national and regional public and private sector institutions and projects concerned with multilingualism, language planning and policy.
• Mass media (with additional qualifications), e.g., in fields such as political journalism.