The programme
Here you can find an overview of the degree programme, including information on its organisation and regulations, as well as a number of useful information. In addition, this section includes an overview of the University’s Quality Assurance system and the Student Orientation services available to prospective students, to help them choose the right course for them.
Student orientation services
The new website of the Student Orientation Office, with new form and content, is the result of a long process aimed at providing a better and more comprehensive service to its many users. Users are mostly secondary school pupils approaching the University for the first time, and schools' University Orientation Services which organise activities to assist their pupils in post-school choices. Making a decision means choosing the best alternative to satisfy one's expectations, preferences and aspirations.
More details: www.univr.it/orientamento (italian page)
Email servizio.orientamento@ateneo.univr.it
Telephone number 0458028588 - 0458028726
Timetable
dal lunedì al venerdì dalle ore 9.00 alle ore 13.00 (via S. Francesco n. 22 - Verona).
Find out moreCourse of study in brief
The Master’s degree programme in Linguistics at the University of Verona provides students with advanced knowledge of linguistics, in both its theoretical and applied aspects. This programme, entirely taught in English (in the case of the English and German modules) and other languages depending on the modules chosen by the students (French, Spanish, Russian and Italian), is a comprehensive international programme with a specific focus on the European context.
The programme is enhanced through international lectures and modules held by guest lecturers and professors as part of an interdepartmental initiative with a strong interdisciplinary approach.
Upon completion of the programme, graduates will have gained a wide range of skills for the continuation of their studies, such as undertaking a PhD, and will be eligible to apply for professional master's (master di II. livello). Graduates will also have gained the necessary language teaching skills to teach Italian as a second language or foreign languages in private and public schools.
Graduates will also be able to analyse theories and methods of investigation for the scientific study of language in all its manifestations (focusing on Italian and other European languages, as well as ancient languages), including the study of language acquisition and language development problems with a practical approach. Moreover, the programme includes the study of language sciences, a wide range of philological and literary disciplines, as well as psychological, philosophical and statistical-computational disciplines. In addition to lectures, seminars and experimental linguistics laboratories are also offered in the course of the programme.
This postgraduate programme aims to train graduates with a high level of knowledge of the theories, methodologies and techniques of language investigation, who will be able to apply these in various areas of work for research, teaching and counselling in the analysis of written and/or spoken materials. Career opportunities for graduates in linguistics, also in the international context, include linguistic counselling in several areas, from the drafting and editing of texts to international cooperation activities, from the linguistic integration of immigrants to the management of plurilingualism, or to the design and assessment of IT tools for the processing of linguistic corpora and verbal communication.
The programme promotes the acquisition of soft skills, recognizing an adequate number of ECTS to students who profitably follow the courses specifically proposed by the University or other institutions.
Graduates in Linguistics will be expected to:
- be able to analyse theories and methods of investigation for the scientific study of language in all its manifestations, in relation to the Italian language and the main European languages (English, French, Spanish, German, Russian), as well as the classical languages, based on a solid theoretical and methodological background, which will also be useful for further studies (PhD or 2nd level Professional Master’s programmes);
- know the stages of learning in relation to foreign languages and Italian as a second language, and be able to recognise the linguistic and cognitive profile of bilingual learners and/or those affected by language and learning disorders, having acquired skills useful for the implementation of an inclusive teaching approach;
- have acquired theoretical knowledge and linguistics-related teaching skills in order to be eligible to apply for specific courses to become a teacher of Italian as a second language, or other foreign languages;
- know and be able to use models of statistical and information analysis for the processing and quantitative and qualitative statistical analysis of linguistic databases and experimental psycholinguistic data;
- know and be able to apply theoretical frameworks and advanced linguistic investigation methods/tools to the processing and analysis of technical texts, which are also useful for editing and proofreading texts in the publishing field;
- know and be able to apply theoretical frameworks and advanced linguistic investigation methods/tools to philological analysis and the interpretation and commentary of ancient texts;
- know and be able to apply psychological, IT-related and philosophical skills to various fields, from education to research in psycholinguistics and multimedia communications.
In order to achieve these learning outcomes, the programme includes the study of language sciences and a wide range of philological disciplines, as well as psychological, philosophical and statistical-computational subject areas.
The international focus of the programme, which is taught entirely in English and the relevant languages of the student's choice (French, Spanish, German, Russian and Italian), is further enhanced by modules and seminars/workshops in theoretical and experimental psycholinguistics taught or led by international guest lecturers.
The programme is organised in a single curriculum. However, in addition to the core modules of theoretical and methodological linguistics, students may take additional modules of a linguistic and philological nature to explore specific domains including Germanic, Slavic and Romance.
Specifically, the first year of the programme includes three modules in theoretical linguistics that provide a solid background at the various levels of language analysis (phonetics/phonology, morphosyntax, semantics and pragmatics) and a module in teaching and historical linguistics, organised into two sections and dealing with the processes of learning and teaching foreign languages, with a focus on Italian as a foreign language (L2).
The first year also includes a linguistics module of the student’s choice (English, German, French, Spanish or Russian), a module in a philological discipline of the student’s choice (Romance, Germanic, Slavic), and a module to be chosen between computer science and statistics, both of which focus on methods, data and tools of psycholinguistic analysis.
In the second year, the programme includes a module in historical linguistics focusing on the dimensions of linguistic and crosslinguistic diachronic change, and in terms of contact between languages, presented with examples of ancient and modern languages; a linguistics module of the student’s choice (this must be different to that of the first year); finally, depending on the student’s choice, a module in cognitive science or philosophy of science.
The programme includes, alongside traditional lectures, seminars and workshops, experimental linguistics workshops (focusing on language acquisition processes, bilingualism, atypical language development and language disorders) and internships at institutions or organisations involved in the programme, or other affiliated companies and organisations.
Language Sciences Researchers or Experts
Professionals in this field are expected to be able to:
- conduct, manage and take part in research activities, and in particular: carrying out bibliographic analyses; conducting field surveys; designing and writing research projects; writing research reports and articles for the scientific community and the general public; presenting and disseminating research findings in front of an audience.
- work as lecturers and language experts in Italian and foreign universities; coordinate and take part in the organisation of programmes for educational and cultural events.
Graduate’s skills:
1a. know, assess and choose linguistic, psychological-cognitive and teaching-related theoretical frameworks suitable to research projects and activities carried out at the national and international level; to know, choose and be able to apply methods and techniques of textual investigation in the main European foreign languages; to know, choose and use computer tools and apply the methods of statistical analysis for linguistic and psycholinguistic research.
1b. be able to design and critically analyse pieces of research and projects in the field of language sciences; to be able to communicate correctly and effectively in managing or coordinating research groups;
2a. evaluate and choose theoretical frameworks and application tools of language teaching, also in the context of bi- and multilingualism;
2b. assess and put into practice the organisational and management strategies for the coordination of events of an educational and cultural nature, drawing on their literary, cultural and psycho-linguistic background;
More advanced language analysis, management and coordination skills can be achieved through further studies, in particular within the framework of PhDs and 2nd level Professional Master's programmes.
Career prospects: public and private research centres, universities, Italian and foreign cultural institutes.
Technical Text Consultants
Professionals in this field will be expected to be able to:
1. Offer advice on drafting texts and, in particular, provide lexicological, textual and stylistic information for drafting a wide range of technical texts: compiling lexicographic tools; drafting materials in the field of language teaching; drafting critical editions with linguistic comments; choosing the most effective communication tools for drafting texts in the field of communication, including multimedia.
Graduate’s skills:
1a. assess and choose theoretical and historical-descriptive frameworks of linguistics, in synchrony and diachrony; be able to indicate the correct lexical and textual choices, computer tools (software) and semiological analysis, appropriate teaching tools and methods;
1b. be able to indicate the most appropriate linguistic choices when drafting multilingual texts of an administrative, informative and cultural nature;
2a. know and be able to use the models of multimedia communication and the fundamental concepts of general psychology and cognitive science;
2b. know and be able to assess the stages of language learning in both typical and atypical contexts (e.g. language and learning disorders, or bi-/multilingualism) and be able to apply the theoretical-methodological principles of inclusive language teaching to the drafting of teaching materials.
Career prospects: publishing houses and educational institutions in a multilingual context, public and private facilities, library facilities and archives, advertising agencies, insurance agencies.
Proofreading Consultants
Professionals in this field will be expected to be able to:
- offer advice on revising texts in Italian and the main European languages; specifically, to refine and improve the stylistic rendering of a wide range of texts, from technical to literary texts to linguistic-philological commentaries;
- provide consultancy within international organisations and institutes that deal with contacts, in the broadest sense, between different languages and cultures (from politics to economics, the tourist industry and the reception of foreigners) for the improvement and adaptation of informative, administrative and language teaching texts.
Graduate’s skills:
1a. know and apply meta-linguistic analyses to Italian and the main languages of Europe in the textual dimension, both ancient and contemporary;
1b. know and put into practice linguistic-literary and philological concepts for the revision of linguistic comments;
2a. know and be able to indicate the appropriate lexical and textual choices, as well as knowing and being able to implement computer tools (softwares) and semiological analysis for the revision of technical texts in the publishing and communication sector; know and be able to apply the most appropriate teaching tools and methods in multilingual contexts; be proficient in at least two of the main languages of the European Union;
2b. be able to indicate the best linguistic choices, in terms of vocabulary, text and stylistic register, for the revision of multilingual technical texts, such as information materials and texts for the teaching of foreign languages.
Career prospects: language industry, Italian and foreign universities, public and private Italian and foreign institutions and organisations, publishing houses, communication and advertising companies.
Linguists and philologists
Professionals in this field will be expected to be able to:
- conduct and design linguistic research lines in all areas relevant to the programme of study; analyse and read textual data in synchrony and diachrony; translate and interpret ancient and modern texts; draft philological commentaries; draft language-related texts for the scientific community and the general public alike;
- teach Italian in Italian cultural institutes in Italy and abroad, and in private educational institutions; teach foreign languages in private institutions, in Italy and abroad. Graduates who have acquired sufficient credits in specific fields of study are eligible to take the admission test to enroll in teacher training courses to become secondary school teachers in Italy, as established by current legislation. If a Master's graduate does not have 24 CFU (credits) in the areas of anthropology, psycho-pedagogy and teaching methods, they can take specific courses to make up the credits required for admission to the teacher training course.
Graduate’s skills:
1a. evaluate and choose linguistic criteria and parameters for innovative research projects in the language sciences; be able to critically analyse linguistic and textual data in a synchronic and diachronic perspective;
1b. be able to communicate research results effectively;
2a. know and be able to evaluate the stages of typical and atypical language learning; know how to put into practice specific teaching tools for the teaching of Italian as a second language, and in a perspective of inclusive teaching;
2b. know and apply metalinguistic analyses to the main European languages; know, choose and be able to apply theoretical frameworks, methods and tools for teaching foreign languages, according to up-to-date standards.
Governing bodies
Programme Director
Quality Assurance
The quality of a degree programme is the extent to which it achieves its educational objectives and meets the quality requirements of the educational activities offered, which are determined in line with the needs and expectations of students and representatives of the world of work.
- periodic consultations with representatives of the world of work to assess the adequacy of the cultural and professional profiles offered in their courses;
- design of educational contents and planning of resources;
- organisation of educational activities and teaching services;
- monitoring the effectiveness of teaching and planning measures to improve teaching and services;
- provision of complete and up-to-date information on its website, relating to the programme (professional roles, expected learning outcomes, learning activities).
In a Quality Assurance system, students play a fundamental role: each student can play their part by participating in the Quality Assurance groups of their degree programme and in the Faculty-Student Joint Committees or, more simply, by taking part in the Student Survey on teaching, or questionnaires. It’s in this context that specific workshops for student representatives (‘Laboratori di rappresentanza attiva’) are periodically made available to students by the University and the University’s Quality Assurance Board. To find out more, please see the relevant section.
Il sistema di valutazione universitario e il ruolo dello studente
by Prof. Graziano Pravadelli: a lecture recorded on the occasion of the January 2021 workshop for student representatives.
QA bodies
QA in degree programmes
QA activities
Degree Programme description and regulations
Not yet available
Other Regulations
To view other regulations of interest refer to the section: Statute and regulations
The Italian University system
First-cycle degrees: Bachelor’s degree programme
First-cycle degrees are aimed at enabling students to achieve a command of general scientific methods and content, and to acquire specific professional knowledge.Admission requirements: secondary school diploma after completing 13 years of study in total and passing the relevant State examination, or equivalent foreign qualification; admission may be subject to further assessment.
Duration: three years.
Graduation: in order to obtain the degree, it is necessary to gain at least 180 CFU; doing an internship and preparing a dissertation/thesis may also be required. Upon completion of a Bachelor’s degree, graduates may continue their studies by enrolling in a Master’s degree or other second-cycle degree programmes and courses.
Academic title: upon completion of a Bachelor’s degree (Laurea), graduates are awarded the title of “Dottore”.
Second-cycle degrees: Master’s degree
Second-cycle degrees aim to provide students with an advanced training and knowledge to take on highly-skilled roles.Admission requirements: applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree, or a foreign equivalent qualification; curricular admission requirements for each course may vary depending on each University.
Duration: two years.
Graduation: in order to obtain the degree, it is necessary to gain at least 120 CFU, as well as preparing and presenting a dissertation/thesis.
Academic title: upon completion of a Master’s degree (Laurea Magistrale), graduates are awarded the title of “Dottore magistrale”. Single cycle/Combined Bachelor+Master’s degrees
Some courses (Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics, Pharmacy and Industrial Pharmacy, Architecture and Building Engineering-Architecture, Law, Primary Education) are offered as Single cycle/Combined Bachelor+Master’s degrees (Corsi di Laurea Magistrale a Ciclo Unico).
Admission requirements: applicants must hold a secondary school diploma or equivalent foreign qualification; admission is subject to passing an admission test.
Duration: five years (six years and 360 CFU for Medicine and Surgery, and Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics).
Graduation: in order to obtain the degree, it is necessary to gain at least 300 CFU, as well as preparing and presenting a dissertation/thesis. Upon completion of a Single-cycle degree, graduates may continue their studies by applying for a PhD programme (Dottorato di Ricerca) or other third-cycle courses.
Academic title: upon completion of a Master’s degree (Laurea Magistrale), graduates are awarded the title of “Dottore magistrale”.
Third-cycle degrees
PhD programmes: these courses enable students to gain reliable methodologies for advanced scientific research through innovative methodologies and new technologies, and generally include internships abroad and lab activities at research laboratories. Graduates wishing to apply for a PhD programme must have a Master’s degree (or a foreign equivalent qualification) and pass an open competition; PhD programmes have a minimum duration of three years. In order to complete the programme, students must produce a research thesis/dissertation and present it at a final examination.Academic title: upon completion of a PhD programme, students are awarded the title of “Dottore di ricerca”, or “PhD”.
Postgraduate specialisation courses: these are third-cycle courses aimed at enabling students to develop advanced knowledge and highly-specialised skills, such as in the medical, clinical and surgical fields. To be admitted to these courses, applicants must have a Master’s degree (or a foreign equivalent qualification) and pass an open competition. Postgraduate specialisation courses may last from two (120 CFU) to 6 years (360 CFU) depending on the type. Academic title: upon completion of this programme, graduates are awarded a “Diploma di Specializzazione”.
Professional Master’s programme
1st-level Professional Master’s programmes: these courses enable students to further enhance their scientific knowledge and professional skills. In order to apply, applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree, or foreign equivalent qualification. The minimum duration is one year (60 CFU). Please note that completing this course will not provide you with direct access to a PhD programme (Dottorato di Ricerca), or other third-cycle courses, as these courses are run and managed by each University at the local level. Upon completion of this programme, students are awarded a “Master universitario di primo livello”.2nd-level Professional Master’s programmes: these courses enable students to further enhance their scientific knowledge and professional skills. In order to apply, applicants must have a Master’s degree, or foreign equivalent qualification. The minimum duration is one year (60 CFU). Please note that completing this course will not provide you with direct access to a PhD programme (Dottorato di Ricerca), or other third-cycle courses, as these courses are run and managed by each University at the local level. Upon completion of this programme, students are awarded a “Master universitario di secondo livello”.
Other useful things
Crediti Formativi Universitari (CFU/ECTS credits): Italian university courses are based on the CFU system. 1 CFU is equal to 25 hours of study. The average annual academic workload for a full-time student is generally assumed to be 60 CFU. CFU and ECTS credits serve the same purpose and generally have the same value.Degree class: Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes that have the same learning objectives and activities are grouped into “degree classes". The educational content of each programme is set autonomously by each university; however, universities are required to include certain educational activities (and the corresponding number of CFU credits) set at the national level. These requirements are established in relation to each degree class. Degrees in the same class have the same legal value.
Double/Joint degrees: the Italian universities may establish degree programmes in partnership with other Italian or foreign universities. Upon completion of these courses, graduates are awarded a joint or double/multiple degree, one from each Partner University.