Modern Languages (MA)

Italian Language and Linguistics

Explore the most important aspects of Italian linguistics

Italian Language and Linguistics focuses on the most relevant aspects of Italian linguistics: how it connects to social and cultural issues; how it varies across time and place; how it is transmitted, taught and learned. An important aspect of the programme is exploring the dynamics that led to the literary language of Italian becoming the country's national language.

A global and comparative approach

All courses take a global and comparative approach: you will learn how to critically assess a language phenomenon from multiple perspectives. You will also acquire the skills to design an optimal language training plan by studying and comparing current language teaching methods. 

Kim Groothuis

Graduated in Italian Language and Linguistics (MA) and Linguistics (Research Master)

“My masters in Leiden have given me the opportunity to explore my interests in many ways: I combined the master in Italian with the Research Master in Linguistics in order to follow my interests in both Italian dialectology, and theoretical and historical syntax. All courses are taught by specialists in the field, who are not only very knowledgeable, but also extremely helpful and enthusiastic.”

An excellent preparation

“At the moment I am junior postdoctoral fellow at Ghent University. I studied for my PhD in comparative Romance syntax at the University of Cambridge. My masters in Leiden have been an excellent preparation for this next step, because they combined theory with ongoing research – part of which you will have to do yourself, during the courses and later for your thesis. It is this aspect of the masters which in my opinion is the most valuable, especially if you wish to continue in academia.” 

Study programme

For an overview of the Italian Language and Linguistics study programme, please check the Prospectus.

Admission requirements

To see if you are eligible for this master’s programme, please check the Modern Languages Admission Requirements.

Apply now

Have you already made your choice? You can apply directly via the Modern Languages Application pages.  

Please note: you cannot apply separately for the specialisation ‘Italian Language and Linguistics’, as it is part of the ‘Modern Languages’ specialisation. When you start your application you will first need to select ‘MA Linguistics’ (CROHO code: 60815). When asked for a specialisation, select ‘Modern Languages’. Studielink will automatically direct you to uSis (Leiden University’s online application portal) within 2 or 3 working days.

Contact

Do you have questions about studying Italian Language and Linguistics at Leiden University? Get in touch with our study advisor.