MA Ancient Languages and Cultures: Historical-Comparative Linguistics
General information
Historical-Comparative Linguistics is one of ten selectable fields of study of the Master's programme in Ancient Languages and Cultures of the Mediterranean. The other fields of study are:
- Old History
- Archaeology of the Roman Provinces
- Byzantine studies
- Greek Philology
- Jewish studies
- Classical Archaeology
- Latin Philology
- Medieval Latin Philology
- Papyrology, Epigraphy and Numismatics of Antiquity
Historical-Comparative Linguistics is studied as a 2-Fach Master together with another study at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. The preferred option here is one of the other study programmes in Ancient Languages and Cultures. In one of the two programmes, a larger scientific thesis, the Master's thesis, is written at the end. Further information on the modalities can be found on the corresponding page of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities.
In the research-oriented Master's programme in Historical-Comparative Linguistics, which builds consecutively on the Bachelor's programme, the knowledge acquired in the Bachelor's programme is deepened and expanded by practising largely independent scientific work on exemplary subjects. Within the framework of the programme, students are able to focus on one of the areas of their choice, i.e. Latin or Greek linguistics. As in the Bachelor's programme, a literary science module must also be completed in the Master's programme, i.e. close networking with classical philology is also sought in the Master's programme. The aim is to master the methods of Historical-Comparative Linguistics on the basis of in-depth language knowledge to such an extent that more complex problems can be dealt with independently on the basis of the state of the art in research, thus creating the prerequisites for a possible doctoral programme.
More information
Study Structure
Studies without Master's thesis in the subject Ancient Languages and Cultures, specialising in Historical-Comparative Linguistics: Three Master's modules must be completed.
If the Master's thesis is written in the subject Ancient Languages and Cultures, majoring in Historical-Comparative Linguistics, then in addition to the three Master's modules, an additional 14 CP must be completed as part of supplementary studies.
- Mastermodul 1 (duty): Ancient languages of the Mediterranean region from a comparative linguistic perspective
- Mastermodul 2 (duty): Indo-European Language
- Mastermodul 3 (duty): Greek and Latin Literature
- If relevant: Supplementary studies (compulsory voting): In-depth or supplementary studies on Mediterranean culture
For more information see the Modulhandbuch (PDF).
Admission Requirements
Students with a Bachelor's degree or a comparable degree in Historical-Comparative Linguistics or in a comparable study may be admitted to the Master's programme in Ancient Languages and Cultures, specialising in Historical-Comparative Linguistics. Bachelor graduates and graduates with a comparable degree from other studies with a linguistic focus may also be admitted on a case-by-case basis, provided that at least 40 relevant CPs in the field of linguistics were acquired in the previous study programme; in any case, these must include a proportion of achievements in the field of Historical-Comparative Linguistics (Indo-European Studies). The decision on admission is made by the examination board in cooperation with the responsible subject representatives; conditions may be imposed.
Proof must be provided of knowledge of Greek to the extent of the Graecum, knowledge of Latin to the extent of the Latinum and knowledge of English at level B2 CEFR.
Further information can be found in the requirements profile.
Application
Internal applicants who have obtained their degree at the University of Cologne may enrol for the Master's programme at the Examinations Office of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, provided that the necessary requirements are met. Further information will follow in an information sheet.
External applicants who have obtained their degree at another university (domestic or abroad) should apply as described on this page.