Linguistics can be studied in Bern as a major (120 ECTS) as well as a minor (60 or 30 ECTS). The bachelor’s degree program lasts three years and teaches the basics of linguistics. The Bachelor’s degree program in Linguistics is divided into a special area, a supplementary area and an additional optional area. You can choose either General Linguistics or Historical Linguistics as your special area.
Chinese Language and Society can be studied in Bern as a minor (30 ECTS). It offers an introduction to modern Chinese language and provides basic education in Chinese history, society and culture.
The master’s degree program in Linguistics lasts two years and builds on the bachelor’s degree program. In the MA major program (90 ECTS), students specialize in theoretical and empirical areas in either General or Historical Linguistics. The core area is supplemented by freely selectable courses, thus taking into account the breadth of linguistic education in Bern. The MA degree program provides access to the latest state of research and and is completed with an independent research thesis; learning additional languages is possible. The MA Minor (30 ECTS) provides a solid knowledge of the methods and areas of application of linguistics concentrating on the core area, even without writing a Master's thesis.
