What?

In the Multilingual Master in Linguistics and Literary Studies, you can follow courses in up to nine different languages and you can specialise in one of the following subjects:

• Intermediality
• Linguistics
• Literary Studies
• Multilingualism and Foreign Language Acquisition
• Psycholinguistics and Neurolinguistics
• Multilingual Mediation and Communication

Why VUB?

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) offers high-quality English-taught programmes, supported by outstanding research. Being a student at VUB means learning in an atmosphere of tolerance and diversity, as well as growing into an independent and critical-thinking individual.

VUB is a dynamic and modern university with almost two centuries of history. We welcome 17,500 students, 23% of which are international students from more than 120 different countries.

Why multilingual master?

Linguistics and literary studies are among the most fascinating studies, especially in a city like Brussels where more languages are spoken than anywhere else in Flanders, Belgium or Europe. A Master’s student in linguistics and literary studies gets access to other languages and cultures, which opens up new horizons of understanding. Our multilingual Master's programme prepares students for a globalized labour market where multilingualism is increasingly becoming a necessity. The internationally oriented city of Brussels is the perfect location to personally experience the diverse aspects of multilingualism and multiculturalism.

After graduation

A Master's degree in Linguistics and Literary Studies opens doors in many different branches and sectors. You will be able to work in the private sector or at (non-) governmental organisations. Students achieving excellent results can also consider one of our PhD programmes. Highly skilled professionals with an excellent command of various languages and a good understanding of multiple cultures are needed in national and international public institutions and companies. Brussels is the perfect environment to prepare you for such a job.

Not sure yet what your next step should be? VUB helps you with your first steps on the job market.

Intermediality

This profile offers an academic approach to the intermedial and/or intertextual relationship between literature and other art forms, such as theatre, dance, opera, visual arts or film. Interactive courses give you the opportunity to gain in-depth insights into the dynamic interconnectedness of different genres.

Linguistics

The Linguistics profile provides an exploration of language with courses in up to six languages. This profile covers a broad range of linguistics topics, such as theoretical linguistics, (historical) sociolinguistics and corpus linguistics.

Literary Studies

In this profile you will explore current literary topics and fields, such as urban literature, postcolonial literature, the intermedial relationship between literature and other art forms, and aspects of literary translation.

Multilingual Mediation and Communication

This profile offers students a range of advanced academic and professionally-orientated courses linked to the broad remit of “multilingual mediation and communication”. As such, students will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to critically reflect on the challenges pertaining to communication in an increasingly multilingual and intercultural world, as well as to practise their mediation skills (e.g. translating, interpreting) in order to facilitate this communication. Through a compulsory internship, students will gather gain hands-on professional experience.

Multilingualism and Foreign Language Acquisition

This profile provides a profound exploration of multilingualism from both social and cognitive perspectives. It explores the role of instructed versus uninstructed foreign language learning. Students are given the opportunity to complete an internship, during which they put theory into practice.

Psycholinguistics and Neurolinguistics

If you are fascinated by the neurological and psychological aspects of language, this profile is perfect for you. Language impairments caused by brain damage and the cognitive aspects of linguistics are only a few examples of topics you will examine by choosing this profile.

Programme

Our Master’s programme offers you the unique possibility to take courses in linguistics and literary studies in up to nine different languages and to specialise in one specific language-related scientific discipline and in one or two specific languages.

The programme of the Multilingual Master contains courses in the following languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian. The programme is built up of three components: the required courses, the choice for one language or two languages, and a multilingual profile.

1. Compulsory Courses (All Profiles)

• Master's Thesis - 18 ECTS
• Research Methodology - 3 ECTS
  • Linguistics or Literary Studies
  • Translation Studies and Research Methodology (TSRM) or Interpreting Studies and Research Methodology (ISRM) for the 'Multilingual Mediation and Communication' profile
• Linguistics and Literary Studies in Brussels - 3 ECTS

2. Elective Courses (All Profiles except 'Multilingual Mediation and Communication')

Students are allowed to choose courses within their choice of profile and language(s). To complete the Multilingual Master in Linguistics and Literary Studies (60 ECTS), students must obtain 36 ECTS of electives. 

1 Language - Profile

Choose two courses of 6 ECTS in the official language for which you have registered and four profile-related courses of 6 ECTS:

• Language-related courses: 12 ECTS 
• Profile-related courses: 24 ECTS 

2 Languages - Profile

Choose one course of 6 ECTS in your first official language choice, one course of 6 ECTS in your second official language choice, and four profile-related courses of 6 ECTS:

• Language 1: 6 ECTS + Language 2: 6 ECTS 
• Profile-related courses: 24 ECTS 

2.1 Language-related courses

To find all language-related courses, please click on the language(s) of your choice. The elective courses appear on the right. Click on the course title to find out more information about specific courses.

2.2 Profile-related courses

To find all profile-related courses, please click on the profile of your choice. The elective courses appear on the right. Click on the course title to find out more information about specific courses.

3. Elective Courses (Profile Multilingual Mediation and Communication)

Students are allowed to choose certain courses within two modules. To complete the Multilingual Master in Linguistics and Literary Studies (60 ECTS), students must obtain 18 ECTS of compulsory courses and an elective course of 6 ECTS within the 'Multilingual Practices' module. In addition, 12 ECTS of electives within the 'Optional Courses' module should be obtained:

Module Multilingual Practices (24 ECTS)

Compulsory courses (18 ECTS)

• Intercultural Communication - 3 ECTS
• The Language Industry - 3 ECTS
• Internship or Training "Multilingual Mediation and Communication"- 12 ECTS

Elective course - 6 ECTS

Module Optional Courses (12 ECTS)

3.1 Electives (per Module)

To find all courses per module, please click on the module. The elective courses appear on the right. Click on the course title to find out more information about specific courses.

Course List Academic Year 2021-2022

To see which courses are available in the academic year 2021-2022, you can click on the different programme plans below.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes describe the intended knowledge and understanding, skills and attitudes that you must master after completing your studies. Do you want to know more about the specific learning outcomes of this programme? Click here for more information.

Three Research Centres

The Department of Linguistics and Literary Studies (LIST) hosts three research centres that are specialised in studies dealing with language-related research topics:

General admission criteria

In order to apply for the Multilingual Master, students will need the following documents:

• photo
• copy of their ID (front & back) or copy of their passport (if non-EEA citizen)
• transcript of records
• copy of BA diploma(s)
• proof of European health insurance (only for enrolment)
• motivation letter & CV
• 2 recommendation letters

Admission is based upon the review of each application. After an initial check for the validity of the documents, there will be a mandatory short Skype interview, for which students will receive an email in due course.

Language requirements:

Prospective students can provide proof of sufficient knowledge of English as language of instruction by meeting one of the following criteria:

- having successfully completed one of the following language proficiency tests:

• TOEFL iBT with minimum level: 79

• IELTS with minimum level: academic module 6.5

• ITACE with minimum level: B2

• Cambridge English Qualification Scale with the following minimal level: 170

- having successfully completed secondary school at a Belgian institution;

- having a diploma of secondary or higher education where English was the language of instruction.

Please note that the test result must have been awarded no more than five years prior to the date of enrolment.

Entry requirements

Applicants should meet one of the following criteria:

• With a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Literary Studies from a Flemish university, students have direct access to the master's programme.
• Students who have not obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Literary Studies from a Flemish university may be accepted onto the programme on the condition that they have obtained at least 48 ECTS credits in Linguistics and Literary Studies for every language they wish to major in. Exception: for the 'Multilingual Mediation and Communication' profile, applicants need to have obtained at least 60 ECTS credits in English Linguistics and Literary Studies but only 30 ECTS credits (or mother tongue level) in the second language of their choice.
• Students who do not meet the previous two conditions are admitted to the programme when they have successfully completed a tailor-made preparatory programme consisting of BA modules in Linguistics and Literary Studies.

All students who have obtained a Bachelor's degree from a non-Flemish university will be contacted for a compulsory intake interview. This interview is conducted via Skype and takes approximately 15 minutes.

Students can only major in a language for which they have obtained sufficient ECTS credits in the past. Therefore, students' choice of (one or two) language(s) should reflect their BA degree. However, students can take courses in other languages than their target languages within their chosen profile, even when they have no official degree in that language, on the condition that the student feels proficient enough to be able to pass the exams. Thus, we encourage multilingual learning in different fields of interest.

You don't have a BA in Linguistics or Literary Studies? This is the solution:

Do you have an undergraduate degree in another field of study? You can also enrol as soon as you have completed the preparatory programme for the Master of Arts in Linguistics and Literary Studies. This preparatory programme takes into account the ECTS credits that you have previously earned. It is tailor-made to your needs and is a compilation of BA courses in Linguistics and/or Literary Studies. Students who would like to take up one language in their preparatory programme, can obtain access to the Multilingual Master within a semester or one academic year, depending on the credits they have already achieved. Opting for two languages is also possible. In this case, access to the Multilingual Master in two languages is granted after two academic years.

Application deadline

Prospective students are advised to apply as soon as possible, even if they have not yet obtained their degree. Applications can only be submitted through our website.

• Non-EEA citizens need to apply before the 1st of April 2022.
• EEA-citizens need to apply before the 1st of September 2022.

Note: if the proof of English proficiency or APS certificate is not ready before the deadline, you can always submit it later instead of missing the deadline.

Tuition fees

All Flemish universities in Belgium, including the VUB, are financed by the Flemish government, which results in relatively low tuition fees. The general tuition fee for the Multilingual Master is approximately €962/year for students with EU/EEA nationality and €3,248/year for students with a non EU/EEA nationality. More information can be found via this link. 

Scholarships

Although the number is limited, the Flemish Government provides a number of scholarships for excellent students, the Master Mind Scholarship. In order to qualify you need to meet the following criteria:

• You are coming to Belgium for your studies (distance learning is not allowed)
• You have obtained a CGPA of at least 3.5 out of 4
• You have an English proficiency level of at least 94 for TOEFL iBT, 7 for IELTS or 185 for Cambridge English Qualification Scale
• You cannot combine the scholarship with another scholarship.

If you wish to apply for this scholarship, please make sure to mention this in your motivation letter!

FAQ for future students

Find the answer to all your questions related to the programme here!

FAQ for current students

Find the answer to all your MUMA-related questions here!