Current Application Information

Please note that this Master's program only starts in the Winter Term. Applications are open from June 2nd to September 15th, 2025

Those admitted to the program can officially enroll in late summer, most likely in September.

Entry Requirements

1. Bachelor's Degree

A B.A. in English Studies from the University of Bonn is suitable if it includes linguistic modules amounting to at least 18 ECTS credits.
Other B.A. degrees are accepted if they include at least 36 credit points (ECTS) in relevant areas¹, i.e., a minimum of 18 ECTS in practical English language courses and 18 ECTS in linguistic subjects.

Please note: One ECTS credit point (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System²) amounts to 25 to 30 hours of course work.

Important: This program focuses on scientific research in linguistics, not practical applications like translation or language teaching. If your B.A. is in these fields, you must demonstrate a strong background in linguistics.

If you already have a Master’s degree in another field, you can apply if you meet the B.A.-level linguistic requirements. However, you cannot apply if you already have an M.A. in Applied Linguistics.

2. German Language Skills

Although the program is taught in English, you must provide proof of German language skills by the time of enrollment. If you are still taking a German course, mention this in your application.

You must provide one of the following:

German language courses or
Goethe Certificate B1 or
telc Certificate B1 or
TestDaF Certificate showing the minimum level of TDN 3 in at least one part of the examination.

Exceptions
You do not need to take the DSH test if:

You completed a Bachelor’s program in German at a German university

3. English Language Skills

You are not required to submit an official English language certificate. However, since the entire M.A. in Applied Linguistics is taught in English, the admissions team looks for applicants with strong English skills.

You should meet one of the following:

18 credit points in English language courses, or
A C1-level certificate from a standardized English proficiency test

If you do not meet the practical language course requirement, you may compensate with English language certificates or additional linguistics courses. Applicants should have an English proficiency level equivalent to a score of at least 100 points on the TOEFL iBT exam or a 7.0 on the IELTS exam, with at least 6.0 in each of the scores.

If you are unsure whether you meet the English requirements, please submit all relevant qualifications and test results with your application (e.g., a letter from your university or proof that your entire B.A. program was taught in English).

Please note that these documents should not be sent via post or e-mail, but need to be uploaded to the University of Bonn's application portal which can be accessed during the application period for this program.

Please upload additional documents such as additional certificates with your application (or send them to mentor-appliedlinguistics@uni-bonn.de during the application period in case the upload is not possible).

**Note: After you have been accepted to the program, you will need to show a certificate attesting German language competence before registering as a student of the university**

How to Apply

Application Period

The next application phase for the 2025/2026 Winter Term will be from June 2nd to September 15th, 2025.
Please note: The program starts only in the Winter semester.

Online Application Portal

Apply online via the University of Bonn’s official application portal³.
Do not send applications by post or email. The application process is completely electronic.

Required Documents

Notarized copy of your Bachelor’s degree
Certified copy of your high school diploma

Important:

The University of Bonn only accepts official documents in German or English.
If your documents are in another language, you must provide a notarized translation.
Notarized translations can be obtained either at a German embassy or consulate in your home country, or at your home country’s embassy in Germany.

Application Requirements

1. The Completed Application Form

Apply with Uni Bonn application guide

The best way to apply to our programme is via University of Bonn easy-to-use application guide⁴. It will lead you reliably and directly towards the right application procedure.

2. Notarized Copy of Your Bachelor’s Degree Certificate & Diploma Supplement

Students still enroled in a B.A. program at the time of application, please submit their current transcript of grades.

3. Certified Copy of Your High School Diploma

Official verification is required.

**Note: After you have been accepted to the program, you will need to show a certificate attesting German language competence before registering as a student of the university**

Information on relevant classes

Our Master’s program in Applied Linguistics welcomes students with a solid foundation in core areas of language and communication studies. We look for applicants who have engaged with topics that explore how language works, how it's structured, and how it functions in real-world contexts.

Academic Linguistic Background:

Applicants should ideally have completed coursework in several of the following areas:

Foundational Linguistics Theory

Topics such as syntax, semantics, morphology, phonetics and phonology provide essential tools for analyzing language.

Language in Context

Courses in pragmatics, discourse analysis, sociolinguistics, and speech culture demonstrate your ability to consider language use in social, cultural, and situational settings.

Language Acquisition and Use

Prior knowledge in second language acquisition or theories related to language learning (e.g., Theory of the First Foreign Language) is particularly relevant.

Translation and Cross-cultral Communiation

We value experience in translation studies, comparative typology, intercultural communication, and stylistics of English, as these reflect an understanding of language across contexts and cultures.

Digital and Professional Communiation

Familiarity with business or digital communication, especially with intercultural dimensions, is also appreciated.

Language-specific Studies

If your background includes studies in the linguistics of a non-English language, that’s great—provided there is also evidence of substantial coursework in English language or linguistics.

The following course titles are among those we commonly accept as relevant linguistic topics:

Commonly accepted relevant linguistic topics:

• Introduction to Linguistics

• Translation studies/ Science of Translation

• Sociolinguistics

• Pragmatics

• Semantics

• Phonetics and phonology

• Morphology

• Syntax and syntactic theory

• Linguistics of a specific other language, as long as English is represented in the transcript in some other way

• Theory of (any linguistic sub-speciality) - e.g. Theory of the First Foreign Language (Studied in English)

• Intercultural aspects of Business/Digital communication

• Discourse Analysis

• Speech culture

• Concepts of Communication

• Comparative typology

• Stylistics of English

• Second Language Acquisition

Practical English Language Proficiency:

Applicants should also have completed English language practice courses, such as:

• Written and oral speech practice
• Practical grammar and phonology
• Discussion-based English classes

These courses reflect the ability to apply linguistic knowledge practically and communicate effectively in English—an essential skill in our program.

Core Academic Skills:

Beyond subject knowledge, we also expect students to bring a set of academic and research-related skills that are crucial for graduate-level study. We will, of course, build upon them in the course of the program:

• Academic writing and presentation: Experience in producing structured, well-argued written work and clearly presenting ideas in spoken form is key for success throughout the program.
• Research, methodology: Students should be comfortable with research design, data collection methods (qualitative and/or quantitative), and academic writing conventions.
• Critical thinking and analysis: The ability to interpret data, evaluate theoretical arguments, and engage critically with academic literature is essential.
• Basic statistics: Familiarity with descriptive and inferential statistics is important , particularly for understanding linguistic research and conducting your own data analysis.

Enrollment

Once you're admitted to the M.A. in Applied Linguistics, you'll receive detailed instructions on how to enroll in your letter of admission. You can find this information here⁵.

Course of Studies

Usually, the finalized course syllabus for the upcoming semester will be available in our electronic course catalogue 6-8 weeks before the semester starts. A preliminary version is available earlier, but you cannot register for the courses yet.
Students may spend the third semester abroad, however, this is optional. Students can either take required courses in Bonn or at other universities abroad. We encourage students to look for study programs at foreign universities which match both our study requirements as well as their own research interests. The University of Bonn cooperates with a number of universities throughout Europe which have already participated in our exchange program. Additionally, the option to spend the third semester at the University of Albany, NY, USA, is potentially available.

Tuition

There are no tuition fees at the University of Bonn. There are, however, some fees that include a "Semesterticket" (public transportation ticket) and many more useful and necessary things. Due to changes in the price of the ticket and the other items on the list, the "Sozialbeiträge" (social dues) may vary slightly from one term to the next. For more information, click here⁶.

Career Perspectives

Applied linguistics is an interdisciplinary field that can act as a good foundation for many different career paths, depending on your own personal interests. The study program stresses the importance of empirical scientific research, which is a useful skill in many different fields. We require all of our students to complete at least one internship outside of the study program, which drives them to practice networking, gain valuable work experience, and explore jobs related to intercultural communication, language teaching, academic research, and more. Please note that the MA Applied Linguistics program does not include specific training for becoming a teacher.

In addition, we have begun to offer a yearly event (Forum Beruf) which showcases our former students and allows current students to see which career options are possible.

For further events on career building and networking, check out the University of Bonn's Career Center⁷.

Student Mentor Larissa Atchon

If you have any questions about the study programme, applications process, or other study-related topics, contact mentor-appliedlinguistics@uni-bonn.de
Please note that we cannot pre-evaluate your application documents and make any assurances in regard to your individual eligibility.

Contact

mentor-appliedlinguistics@uni-bonn.de

Office hours
via Zoom⁸

Wednesdays 1-2PM & Fridays 12-1 PM

by appointment

Address
Research Centre for Applied Linguistics
Genscherallee 3
53113 Bonn, Germany
Room 3.015 / 3.016 (third floor)