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Why consider our master's programme?
Studying linguistics and literature in the multicultural and multilingual environment of Brussels gives you the opportunity to discover the vast array of possibilities the city has to offer. Our international English-taught master's degree in Linguistics and Literary Studies is designed to prepare you for the globalised labour market where multilingualism and international expertise are becoming increasingly important.
Are you a fellow linguistics and literary studies enthusiast? Then this programme is for you! Exceptional candidates can benefit from financial support from our programme's scholarship fund. Find out everything you need to know below!
Master in Linguistics and Literary Studies
Have you completed a bachelor’s programme in a related field, and are you eager to take that knowledge to the next level? Expand your expertise during our one-year Master of Arts programme (60 ECTS) in which you can choose to study one of our six profiles (study tracks) in one or two languages. Classes take place in the daytime on the main VUB campus in Etterbeek, otherwise known as the 'Brussels Humanities and Science Campus'. The academic year starts in September and ends in May (January, June and August are exam months at VUB). Starting in the second semester is not possible for students of our preparatory and master's programmes.
6 profiles
You can choose to specialise in one of the following six profiles:
- 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 profound insights into the dynamic interconnectedness of different genres. You can specialize in 1 or 2 languages in this profile.
- Linguistics: We conduct an in-depth exploration of language, covering a broad range of linguistic topics, such as theoretical linguistics, (historical) sociolinguistics and corpus linguistics. You can specialize in 1 or 2 languages in this profile.
- Literary Studies: You will explore current literary topics, such as literary theory, urban literature, postcolonial literature, the intermedial relationship between literature and other art forms and aspects of literary translation. You can specialize in 1 or 2 languages in this profile.
- Multilingualism and Foreign Language Acquisition: You will explore multilingualism from both social and cognitive perspectives, learn about the role of instructed versus uninstructed foreign language learning and put the theory into practice during an internship. You can specialize in 1 or 2 languages in this profile.
- Multilingual Mediation and Communication: Thanks to a well-balanced set of advanced academic and professionally-oriented courses, you will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to study and critically reflect on challenges pertaining to translation, interpreting and communication in our multilingual society. Practical training and a compulsory internship provide the opportunity for hands-on experience. Please note that for this profile, you always need to study in two languages, one of which is English. You specialize in 2 languages in this profile.
- 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 when choosing this profile. You can specialize in 1 or 2 languages in this profile.
9 languages
Our Master in Linguistics and Literary Studies gives you the opportunity to follow courses in the multilingual context of Brussels in up to two languages of the nine we offer. We do not offer language proficiency courses; you are expected to be proficient in your chosen language(s) to follow the courses.
- For the profile 'Multilingual Mediation and Communication': You study in two languages, English and one language among Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Russian and Spanish.
- For the other profiles: You can choose to study in one or two languages among Dutch, English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.
Find out more about admission and enrolment Find out more about the programme structure
International mobility and knowledge exchange
MA Dual Degree – MA Linguistics and Literary Studies (VUB) 🇧🇪 / MA Integrated Humanities (University of Guelph) 🇨🇦
Broaden your horizon in a two-year dual degree that combines the MA in Linguistics and Literary Studies at Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the MA in Integrated Humanities at the University of Guelph (Canada). The dual degree brings together expertise in European culture, history, contemporary politics and society, linguistics and literary studies and multilingual mediation and communication with nine languages to choose from and six areas of specialisation. Students will spend one year at each university and will earn an MA from both institutions.
This international double degree opens doors to career opportunities in e.g. government ministries, the civil service, international organisations, teaching, the cultural sector, interpreting services, international relations, academia (Ph.D.).
Scholarships are available for the dual degree.
EUTOPIA university alliance: earn a microcredential to complement your master's
Vrije Universiteit Brussel is a partner in the EUTOPIA alliance of universities from around Europe and beyond. Being part of this network, our master's programme participates in joint activities with other alliance members to promote intercultural (knowledge) exchange, diversity, and multilingualism. By joining activities organized by the EUTOPIA Multilingualism and Diversity connected community of experts, students can earn a microcredential alogside their degree and expand their academic and professional network. You can get credit for following short courses, taking part in a week-long autumn school, organizing or presenting at the annual EUTOPIA Multilingualism and Diversity Student Conference, as well as taking up the intensive MultiDiv summer programme for students and academic/non-academic stakeholders interested in multilingualism, diversity and social justice pedagogy, policy and research from a linguistics, modern languages and translation studies angle. Courses and events are organized remotely as well as on campuses of participating universities.
Looking for a challenge as well as a way to meet like-minded people from around the world? Then we have a programme just for you!
Research opportunities in Linguistics and Literary Studies at VUB
The department of Linguistics and Literary Studies (LIST) is home to two leading research centres: the Brussels Centre for Language Studies (BCLS) and the Centre for Literary and Intermedial Crossings (CLIC).
Members of BCLS drive domestic and international debates on multilingualism and intercultural communication, language policy, translanguaging and home languages in education, neurolinguistics and psycholinguistics, AI-supported translation and interpreting. CLIC researchers test the boundaries of digital and intermedial storytelling, as well as environmental, gender, and postcolonial approaches to literature and media, investigating identity and representation therein.
Both research groups regularly host symposia, seminars, and workshops, where students can engage with internationally renowned scholars and contribute to ongoing academic conversations on topics critical to the multilingual and multicultural societies of today. Our lecturers prepare graduates for careers in education, communication, technology, and policy, as well as the creative and cultural industries where linguistic and cultural insight matter most.
International visiting professors and academic events
Each year, the department welcomes visiting professors and research chairs, such as the Jeanne Lonnoy and Émile Lorand chairs. These scholars offer expert workshops and lectures during block seminars, which are organized on our campus in Brussels and are open to faculty, students, and alumni. The Chair seminar programmes are announced on the websites of our two research centres. Take a look at past as well as upcoming Émile Lorand Chair events on the CLIC website. Check the BCLS website for news of Jeanne Lonnoy Chair activities and the research centre's own lecture series.
Student research and PhD tracks
Our students have access to a range of research opportunities through individual academic partnerships with their supervisors or initiatives like the Talent for Research (or Talent voor Onderzoek) programme. In this trajectory, students present their independent research projects at workshops and (international) conferences, attend guest lectures from visiting scholars, and complete research assignments guided by a senior member of BCLS or CLIC. At the end of the year, students prepare their theses for publication in the form of an academic article. As such, in addition to building methodological and theoretical expertise in linguistics and literary studies, this talent centre for young researchers will equip you with the network, skills, and experience that stand out on a PhD application. If a career in academia is your calling, secure your supervisor's support to apply for the Research Foundation — Flanders (Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek – Vlaanderen, or simply FWO) grant and VUB's Caroline Pauwels Writing Mandate.
Would you like to join our vibrant academic community and do your PhD at one of Europe's leading research universities? Learn how to become a PhD student at VUB here.
Meet our Talent for Research master's students
Meet our alumni — Fonds voor Wetenshappelijk Onderzoek grantees
Academic prizes: the MUMA, Lonnoy and Lorand Thesis Awards
Each year, our Linguistics and Literary Studies master's programme rewards high-performing students with a €1,000 prize. Students who achieve a minimum score of 16/20 for their master's thesis and receive (at least) “great distinction” honors for their overall academic performance are eligible to apply for a chance to win and bolster their academic profile.
MUMA Scholarships
For the academic year 2025-2026, the VUB Master in Linguistics and Literary Studies offers 5 scholarships to outstanding applicants from around the world. The scholarships are awarded as one-time payments ranging from €1000 (for EEA students) to €3000 (for non-EEA students). They do not cover any recurring costs like monthly accommodation costs, insurance, and other living expenses.
See detailed information on the MUMA scholarships and other financial support offers here.
The strengths of our master's programme
- By studying our Master, you will be part of the largest international student community in Belgium.
- You will study on our urban, green campus in the multilingual heart of Europe.
- We offer an effective high-quality education with a well-coordinated balance between general and language-specific courses.
- Our innovative approach will boost your learning through team, block and blended teaching.
Why choose the Master in Linguistics and Literary Studies?
After graduation
After you obtain your master's degree in Linguistics and Literary Studies, many doors will open to different career paths and other postgraduate programmes. Perhaps you will start your career working in cultural institutions, the civil service, a multinational company, or in fields as diverse as communication, education, research, IT, translation, journalism, tourism, politics, publishing, and various other sectors that seek polyglots such as you!
Is this programme for you?
Get in touch
A better idea of the programme?
Curious to find out if this programme is really the right fit for you? Take part in our (online) study choice activities. Discover the campus on a guided tour, ask our professors questions during an online info session, read our alumni testimonials or experience the atmosphere yourself at an open day.