Stockholm university

Linguistics

Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguists study how languages are structured, the similarities and differences between the languages of the world, and how languages develop, change and disappear. The field also studies how people use language to communicate with each other and how children acquire their mother tongue.

Student arbetar enskilt med språkövningar i Språkstudions datorsal. Foto: Lena Katarina Johansson
Foto: Lena Katarina Johansson

Subject description

The department offers master’s level courses on linguistic theory and methodology, linguistic typology, phonetics, statistics for linguists, field linguistics, corpus linguistics, and child language development. Most of our bachelor’s level courses are offered in Swedish, and thus require documented proficiency in Swedish.

Our Master’s Programme in Language Sciences with a Specialisation in Typology and Linguistic Diversity is a two-year programme conducted in English. This specialisation provides a comprehensive course of study of core areas in Linguistics: linguistic theory and methodology, scientific methods and research ethics, linguistic typology, statistical analysis and corpus linguistics. Optional courses within the area of linguistics are, for example, field linguistics and grammatical theory.

The programme aims at extending and deepening your knowledge in linguistics, as well as at strengthening your grasp of research methodology, research ethics and your ability to carry out scientific reasoning.

Master’s Programme in Language Sciences with a Specialisation in Typology and Linguistic Diversity

Career opportunities

In addition to knowledge about linguistic theory and methodology, studies in Linguistics will help you develop skills such as critical and analytical thinking and problem-solving. Students often combine their studies in Linguistics with studies in Modern Languages, Philosophy, Pedagogy, or Computer Science.

Thus, studies in Linguistics can lead to a wide range of professions, from academic research and teaching to work in the tech industry. Linguistics studies are advantageous in areas such as language teaching, editorial work, translation, development of digital teaching materials, and speech and language technology.

Courses and programmes

Please note that most bachelor’s level courses in Linguistics require documented proficiency in Swedish.

Degree

For a bachelor’s degree in Linguistics you can choose to study individual courses or join bachelor’s programme listed under Educations above.

A master’s degree in Linguistics can only be obtained through enrolment in one of the programmes listed under Educations within the subject.

More information about degrees at Stockholm University

Research

Researchers at the Department of Linguistics study human language in its diversity. Collaboration between researchers in general linguistics, child language development, computational linguistics, phonetics, sign language liguistics and the multilingualism in the deaf and hard of hearing allows for a broad interdisciplinary approach to core issues in human linguistic communication.

  • Contact

    Find more information at our education pages:

    Department of Linguistics/Education

    Student Office
    Director of Studies, first level (Bachelor's level)
    Director of Studies, Second level (Master's)