German: Graduate School Empirical and Applied Linguistics University of Münster in Germany

International Programmes 2025/2026©paginationHomeBackPreviousNextGraduate School Empirical and Applied LinguisticsGraduate School Empirical and Applied LinguisticsUniversity of Münster• MünsterOverviewCourse detailsCosts / FundingRequirements / RegistrationServicesDegreeDr philCourse locationMünsterTeaching languageGermanEnglishLanguagesCourses are held in German (40%) and English (60%). PhD students can choose to write the dissertation in either language.Programme duration6 semestersBeginningWinter and summer semesterApplication deadline31 May (winter semester)30 November (summer semester)Tuition fees per semester in EURNoneCombined Master's degree / PhD programmeNoJoint degree / double degree programmeNoDescription/contentThe Graduate School Empirical and Applied Linguistics offers promising young researchers an interdisciplinary PhD programme with a focus on linguistics. Professors are drawn from the following broad range of subjects, thus ensuring multidisciplinary collaboration:General Linguistics (Typology, Language Documentation and Description, Theoretical Linguistics)Second Language Acquisition / Applied LinguisticsGerman LinguisticsEnglish PhilologyRomance Linguistics (French)Romance Linguistics (Italian)Romance Linguistics (Spanish)Dutch PhilologyScandinavian StudiesSlavic StudiesPsychology (Psycholinguistics)Doctoral students in the PhD programme Empirical and Applied Linguistics can write their dissertation on any linguistic subject area, including applied linguistics, second language acquisition, and a linguistic topic within the framework of a specific philology. Students can choose whether to focus on a more theoretical or a more practical topic, provided that the dissertation has a solid empirical basis. The goal of the PhD programme is to ensure that the doctoral student is proficient in various methods of linguistic data collection and analysis and can therefore use these methods in a critical and reflective way.All doctoral students will receive individual supervision from two faculty members. In order to enable a well-supervised and efficiently completed PhD programme, a written supervision agreement detailing the student's goals and time frame will be drawn up before the doctoral student takes up her or his studies.Studying at the Graduate School thus involves a constant exchange of ideas with the other doctoral students and exposure to the everyday workings of scientific inquiry. Because of its flexibility, the programme can accommodate each student's individual interests and plans for the future.Course organisationAll doctoral students will meet on a regular basis in an informal type of colloquium or workshop in order to discuss methodological and theoretical issues. On three different occasions, they also have to attend the more formal Colloquium of the Doctoral Students, where they have to report on the progress of their dissertation research and preparation:Proposal defence, usually at the end of the first semesterMid-term review, usually towards the end of the third semesterThesis defence at the end of the fifth semesterIn addition to these mandatory courses, the programme comprises elements that can be tailored to meet each student's individual preferences and needs:An individually planned compulsory study programme covering 10 ECTS pointsAn elective course from the element Teaching, Lecturing, Publishing that comprises at least 8 ECTS pointsAn elective course from the element Organisation of Scientific Activities and Supplementary Studies equalling at least 12 ECTS pointsInternational elementsInternational guest lecturersSpecialist literature in other languagesLanguage training providedDescription of other international elementsAs part of the research forum, the Graduate School invites national and international guest lecturers on a regular basis. The guests do their research in fields connected to the students' PhD topics. This ensures that students get external input for their research and that they establish international contacts in their domain.All PhD students will attend German language courses if they do not have enough proficiency in this language. Although English suffices for their PhD programme, it is better to be able to speak German in their everyday life in Münster.Course-specific, integrated German language coursesNoCourse-specific, integrated English language coursesNoTuition fees per semester in EURNoneSemester contributionStudents must pay a semester contribution fee of approx. 330 EUR per semester. This includes a "semester ticket" covering public transportation in the greater Münster area as well as all of Germany.You can find more information here:https://www.uni-muenster.de/studieninteressierte/en/einschreibung/semesterbeitrag.shtml.Costs of livingWe recommend that students budget at least 1,000 EUR per month to meet personal expenses (accommodation, living, health insurance).You can find more information here:https://www.uni-muenster.de/international/en/studierende/general-information/cost-and-funding.html.Funding opportunities within the universityYesDescription of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the universityThe Graduate School Empirical and Applied Linguistics does not offer scholarships for the entire duration of the doctoral studies. However, there is the possibility of receiving financial support for international conferences and stays abroad.Academic admission requirementsUniversity degree: Master's or Magister or an equivalent degree (Diplom, Staatsexamen, Maîtrise)For details regarding applications, see:https://www.uni-muenster.de/Promotionskolleg-Sprachwissenschaft/en/Bewerbung/index.shtmlLanguage requirementsAll students should at least understand written and spoken German and English well enough to be able to follow lectures and to read scientific papers. Should these language skills be missing, intensive language courses should be taken in order to meet these minimum requirements as quickly as possible.Being able to actively speak both German and English is not mandatory. The course and study requirements, including writing the dissertation, can be met with just one language.Application deadline31 May (winter semester)30 November (summer semester)Submit application toE-mail:[email protected] in all popular university cities in Germany, accommodation is in high demand and is not easy to find in Münster – but it’s not impossible either!Please contact the International Office (Bachelor's and Master's students) or the CERes (doctoral candidates) of the university for advice. Please also note that the University of Münster (like most German public universities) does not have its own student halls of residence.Structured research and supervisionYesResearch training / discussionYesSupport for international students and doctoral candidatesSpecialist counsellingGeneral services and support for international students and doctoral candidatesStudents can get help from the International Office of the university and from the Münster Center for Emerging Researchers (CERes). They help with all administrative issues concerning life in Germany and organise networking events for the students.University of MünsterUniversity locationActivate mapTo activate the map, click on the "Show map" button. We would like to point out that data will be transmitted to OpenStreetMap after activation. You can find out more in ourprivacy policy.You can revoke your consent to the transmission of data at any time.Show mapContactUniversity of MünsterInstitute of LinguisticsAegidiistraße 548143 Münster+49 2518326121E-Mail:EmailWeb:Course website