Language is often described as the most unique part of the human mind. Here you will study linguistic structures, linguistic usage and variation, and contribute to cutting edge research across the language sciences.

The master's program in linguistics is an advanced study program that builds on the knowledge you have acquired through a bachelor's program. The Master's program gives you the theoretical and methodological foundation for conducting research in linguistics.

The program contains advanced courses on structural and formal aspects of language, and focuses on language as related to cognition, variation, and meaning. 

Why choose this programme?  

As a master's student with us, you receive close guidance through teaching and supervision from professors who are engaged in many different areas in linguistics.

Our team has a wide variety of professional expertise, which means that you can develop your master's project based on different approaches to language (e.g. description of various grammatical phenomena in a language, theoretical models of linguistic structures, studies of how language is processed in the brain, studies of how language varies between speakers or groups), different linguistic domains (phonetics and phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics), and different individual languages or language families.

Work in our department includes among other research on languages in the Pacific region, the Indian subcontinent, North-Africa, Ethiopia, Scandinavia and North America. We also deal with 'superlinguistics', which is a new field where linguistic methods are applied to more research objects than just natural language (including gestures, emojis and dance). In other words, our MA program gives you the opportunity to find the linguistic area you are most interested in, gain valuable knowledge and skills, and work together with international experts.

International research profile and network:

With us, you will acquire a solid background in general linguistics, and you will be taught and supervised by researchers with international experience, several of which acquired PhD degrees from top universities in the USA and Europe, including Norway.

Our team has active research networks all over the world and can help you start building your international network in linguistics while you carry out your own independent research project as a master's student. The University of Oslo has established exchange agreements with several high-profile study centres, making it easy to spend a semester of the master's study abroad.

Develop knowledge and skills:

The programme will provide you with knowledge about theoretical and methodological developments in the study of linguistics and the ability to design and conduct your own research project.

Through your work on your master's thesis, you gain experience in carrying out independent research work and lay the foundation for further professional activities.

Students are particularly encouraged to carry out empirical projects that combine theoretical questions with empirical methods, as well as projects that involve the analysis of lesser-described languages.

As a student at the Department of Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies you will have access to state-of-the-art labs: the Text Laboratory, which hosts corpora and databases, and the Socio-Cognitive Laboratory, with a video studio, an EEG laboratory, and an eyetracking laboratory.

In working life, linguists are found, among other domains, in research and teaching, language technology and artificial intelligence, clinical work on language disorders, user experience and interface design (UX/UI), administration, and publishing.

Student community, support, and resources:

As a student in the MA in Linguistics, you will be hosted in the Department of Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies among a broader community of MA students in several programs. You will learn alongside students from different cultural, linguistic, and scholarly backgrounds.

All students have access to services including the Department’s MA student study lounge, and the University of Oslo’s excellent libraries, Writing Center and Career Services.