About the programme
The Master's Programme Language and Communication is an interdisciplinary research master that enrolls students with a variety of backgrounds, including linguistics, communication studies, and cultural studies. The programme is offered jointly by Radboud University and Tilburg University and is centred around the research carried out in Nijmegen and Tilburg. Radboud University participates in this programme through the Centre for Language Studies (CLS), which is closely linked to the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics (MPI) and the Baby Research Centre.
Language and Communication is a programme with a strong emphasis on empirical study - which makes it unique in the Netherlands - and covers the numerous ways in which written and spoken language is used. Because communication and the use of language are so tightly interwoven, we take an integrated approach. That is, on the one hand we study communication from a linguistic perspective, and on the other hand we study linguistics with a strong emphasis on its communicative functions.
This Research Master's programme, is open to all students - whether from universities in the Netherlands or abroad - with a relevant Bachelor's or one-year Master's degree. Prospective students may apply for admission to the programme when they meet a number of requirements. These requirements and more information on the procedure of enrollment can be found in the section on enrollment.
The two-year MA programme amounts to 120 EC points. Throughout the programme, students acquire a firm body of knowledge of the disciplines of linguistics and communication studies. Moreover, the students are trained in all aspects of conducting empirical studies in the field of linguistics and communication.
In addition to becoming acquainted with all principles and practices in the field of linguistics and communication, students specialize in one of the research areas in linguistics or communication. The second year is largely dedicated to gaining hands-on research experience in that area. The programme will be completed with a Master's Thesis (and, preferably, a publication in a scientific journal).