Multilingual Master Linguistics and Literary Studies

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!

Multilingual 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. 

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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. 
• 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.

9 languages 

Our Multilingual 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.

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 Multilingual Master programmes. 

Find out more about admission and enrolment   Find out more about the programme structure 

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. 

Discover the Dual Degree

Research 

The Department of Linguistics and Literary Studies (LIST) hosts two research centres that are specialised in studies in the fields of linguistics and literary studies. You can check out their websites for more information on our professors' latest research activities and other research opportunities: 

Brussels Centre for Language Studies (BCLS)

Centre for Literary and Intermedial Crossings (CLIC)

International visiting professors (e.g., Jeanne Lannoy and Émile Lorand chairs) regularly stay at VUB, offering workshops and lectures during block seminars. Upcoming events are announced via the programme's social media channels. 

Our students also have access to a wide range of research opportunities, like participating in the "Talent for Research" programme, presenting their independent research projects at workshops and (international) conferences, or attending guest lectures from renowned scholars in the fields of linguistics and literary studies.

MUMA Scholarships

The VUB Multilingual 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 and €5000 (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 Multilingual 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.

Discover all our general strengths as a university

Why choose the Multilingual Master?

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!

Discover the many opportunities