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Language Science (B.A.)
The Language Science programme (B.A.) is the perfect choice for those looking to acquire a broad-based but specialized training in linguistics. The programme is characterized by its practical focus and the diverse range of options it offers students, who can select modules from the four mandatory elective areas: European Languages, Language Processing, Phonetics and Translation. Depending on their chosen areas of specialization, graduates from the programme have a wide range of career opportunities open to them in areas such as traditional and new media, the software industry, (machine) translation and research.
Language Science can be studied either as a six-semester single-subject Bachelor's programme or, since the winter semester of 2019/2020, as the subsidiary subject in a modern languages degree, such as German Language and Literature or Romance Languages and Literature.
Students on the six-semester single-subject B.A. programme in Language Science are taught key theoretical and methodological skills in theoretical linguistics, usage-based linguistics, computer linguistics, phonetics, language processing and translation. They also acquire advanced proficiency in written and spoken English and, optionally, in a Romance language of their choice.
The Language Science programme is designed for students who wish to acquire a broad but thorough education in the field of linguistics. The programme places particular emphasis on practical applications and this is reflected in the design of the overall programme and of the four mandatory elective areas: European Languages, Language Processing, Phonetics and Translation.
Students must complete the following four mandatory modules:
- P1: Theoretical and Methodological Principles (30 ECTS credits)
- P2: English Proficiency (9 credits)
- P3: Core Skills (12 credits)
- P4: Final Module (15 credits)
In addition to these mandatory modules, students must also complete modules in three of the following four mandatory elective areas:
- WP1: European Languages (38 credits)
- WP2: Language Processing (38 credits)
- WP3: Phonetics (38 credits)
- WP4: Translation (38 credits)
WP1 provides students with a central understanding of structure, function and usage in German, English and at least one Romance language.
WP2 teaches students the mathematical, semantic, syntactic and theoretical principles of machine language processing.
WP3 enables students to acquire the fundamental skills required in phonetic transcription, experimental phonetics, prosody and in the analysis and description of speech production and reception processes.
WP4 teaches advanced language proficiency in at least one Romance language, translation methodologies and the process of translation itself (English and a Romance language).
If you are particularly interested in translation, please refer to the website of the Department of Language Science and Technology where you will find comprehensive information on the requirements, curricular content and the future direction of the department's innovative translation degree programme.
As of winter semester 2019/2020, Language Science can be selected as the subsidiary subject in a dual-subject degree programme. It can only be combined with one of the following main subjects (see table of permissible subject combinations):
- German Language and Literature
- English: Linguistics, Literatures, and Cultures
- Romance Languages and Literature – French or Italian or Spanish
- French Cultural Studies and Intercultural Communication
If Language Science is your subsidiary subject, you may not select Phonetics as your supplementary subject.
Students are taught theoretical and methodological skills in linguistics, computer linguistics, phonetics and language processing. Students must earn a total of 63 ECTS credits, of which 45 credits are from the compulsory modules and 18 credits from the mandatory elective modules offered.
Graduates from the Bachelor's degree programme in Language Science have access to a wide range of Master's programmes that will enable them to specialize further.
Master's programmes of potential interest include those in which students can study the linguistics of modern languages (German Language and Literature, English Studies, Romance Languages and Literary Studies) or the M.A. programme 'Translation Science and Technology'.
Depending on the areas of specialization chosen in their Bachelor's programme, graduates may also meet the requirements for the M.Sc. Programme 'Language Science and Technology'.
Programme-related documents for students taking Language Science as their subsidiary subject in a dual-subject Bachelor's programme
Regulations
- • Examination regulations plus amending regulations
- Study regulations
- Subject-specific provisions to the examination regulations
Programme content
The following study plans present the various permissible combinations of the three (of the four possible) mandatory elective areas:
- Variant 1 comprises the mandatory modules and the mandatory elective areas WP1, WP2 and WP3.
- Variant 2 comprises the mandatory modules and the mandatory elective areas WP1, WP2 and WP4.
- Variant 3 comprises the mandatory modules and the mandatory elective areas WP1, WP3 and WP4.
- Variant 4 comprises the mandatory modules and the mandatory elective areas WP2, WP3 and WP4.
- Language proficiency requirements
Central Student Advisory Service
Saarbrücken Campus
Campus Center, Building A4 4, ground floor
Tel.: +49 (0)681 302-3513
studienberatung(at)uni-saarland.de
Programme adviser
Tobias Renghart
Saarbrücken Campus
Building A2 2, Room 1.17
66123 Saarbrücken
Tel.: +49 681 302-2508
p-sek-arts@lst.uni-saarland.de
Entry restrictions do not apply to this programme. Students can only join the programme in the winter semester.
You can enrol in the first semester of this study programme directly via Saarland University's SIM portals. You do not need apply for admission beforehand. The enrolment deadline is the end of September.
Please note: If you want to switch subjects and plan to enrol in a higher semester of the new study programme ('higher-semester entry'), you will also need to submit an RPL certificate (RPL: recognition of prior learning) from the relevant examinations office.
Enrolment documents can only be submitted online during the enrolment application process in the relevant SIM portal.
If you have any questions about using the SIM portals, please check out our SIM Saarland help pages where you will find lots of useful information, videos and step-by-step guides.
Slightly different admission rules may apply to prospective students with a foreign higher education entrance qualification.
Central Student Advisory Service
Saarbrücken Campus
Building A4 4, Ground floor
Phone: +49 681 302-3513
studienberatung(at)uni-saarland.de
Central Student Advisory Service
Accredited study programmes
Saarland University was one of the first universities in Germany to achieve Quality Assurance Accreditation and has held the Accreditation Council's official quality mark continuously since 2012.
Quality management