Courses are held in German (40%) and English (60%). PhD students can choose to write the dissertation in either language.
31 May (winter semester)
30 November (summer semester)
The 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:
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 enquiry. Because of its flexibility, the programme can accommodate each student's individual interests and plans for the future.
All 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:
In addition to these obligatory courses, the programme comprises elements that can be tailored to meet each student's individual preferences and needs:
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 enquiry. Because of its flexibility, the programme can accommodate each student's individual interests and plans for the future.
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.
As 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.
Students must pay a semester contribution fee of 317.48 EUR per semester. This includes a "semester ticket" covering public transportation in the greater Münster area and throughout Germany.
You can find more information here:
https://www.uni-muenster.de/studieninteressierte/en/einschreibung/semesterbeitrag.shtml
We recommend that students budget at least 900 EUR per month to cover personal expenses (accommodation, living expenses, health insurance).
The Graduate School Empirical and Applied Linguistics does not offer scholarships for the entire duration of the doctoral studies. However, there is the possibility to receive financial support for international conferences and stays abroad.
University 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.shtml.
All 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 German and English is not mandatory because you can meet all of the course and study requirements, including writing the dissertation, with just one language. However, without some basic communicative skills in spoken German, life in Münster will not really be fun.
31 May (winter semester)
30 November (summer semester)
E-mail: linguistics.phd@uni-muenster.de
As 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.
Students can get help from the International Office of the university and from the Münster Centre for Emerging Researchers (CERes). They help with all administrative issues concerning life in Germany and organise networking events for the students.
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