Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas (Lithuania)
Stockholm University, Stockholm (Sweden)
University of Tartu, Tartu (Estonia)
Courses are held in English only. Students have to write their Master's theses in English.
For all applicants: 20 June for the following winter semester
The international Master's in Sociolinguistics and Multilingualism (SoMu) is an international joint-degree study programme co-organised by Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU; Mainz, Germany) and Vytautas Magnus University (VMU; Kaunas, Lithuania). Associated partners are Stockholm University (Sweden), and the University of Tartu (Estonia). Students will receive a joint diploma from JGU and VMU.
The programme is designed to provide students with the theoretical background and analytical tools to understand and evaluate an on-going work in Nordic and Baltic sociolinguistics and multilingualism as well as furnish their foreign language skills. In addition to English, students will learn a further international vehicular language, for example, German, and at least two lesser-used and taught European state and/or national languages.
The programme familiarises students with the general key theories and methods of sociolinguistics (traditional, variationist sociolinguistics, constructivist sociolinguistics, language variation, the dialogic relationship of language use and societal patterns), as well as offers a new and wider perspective and understanding of multilingualism as the parallel use of national, minority and migrant languages alongside one or more international vehicular language(s).
Among the existing MA programmes in sociolinguistics, our programme is unique with regards to:
Our main goal is to prepare specialists who, with their solid linguistic training, will be able to conduct research on multilingualism and disseminate their results not only within academia but also amongst the different stakeholder groups, including politicians, thus contributing to well-informed decision-making.
International Mobility
All students begin their studies at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas. They spend the second semester at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. For the third semester, students can choose between University of Tartu (Estonia) and Stockholm University (Sweden). During the fourth semester, students write and defend their MA theses. They can choose between the full partners of the programme, i.e. Johannes Gutenberg University and Vytautas Magnus University.
Semester One (at Vytautas Magnus University)
Semester Two (at Johannes Gutenberg University)
Semester Three (at the University of Tartu)
Semester Three (at Stockholm University)
Semester Four (at Johannes Gutenberg University or Vytautas Magnus University)
MA thesis and thesis defence
All students begin their studies at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas. They spend the second semester at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. For the third semester, students can choose between University of Tartu (Estonia) and Stockholm University (Sweden). During the forth semester, students write and defend their MA theses. They can choose between the full partners of the programme, i.e. Johannes Gutenberg University and Vytautas Magnus University.
At Vytautas Magnus University: 250 EUR
At Johannes Gutenberg University: approx. 350 EUR
No semester contribution/fee at Stockholm University and University of Tartu
During their first semester at Vytautas Magnus University, students can apply for ERASMUS funding for their studies at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. They also have the opportunity to apply for ERASMUS funding to go to Stockholm or Tartu.
Qualifications
Language proficiency (see below)
Successful completion of an admission interview at Vytautas Magnus-University
For all applicants: 20 June for the following winter semester
Admission to the programme is managed by Vytautas Magnus University. All applications must be submitted online.
When students apply for the programme, students can indicate if they would like to stay at a student dormitory in Kaunas. During their first semester in Kaunas, they receive information on how to apply for student accommodation in Mainz and later in Stockholm and Tartu.
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