Linguistics and Literary Studies and European Studies

This dual degree program creates a pathway between the MA in European Studies at the University of Guelph and the MA in Linguistics and Literary Studies at Vrije Universiteit Brussel. The dual degree brings together expertise in European culture, history, contemporary politics and society, linguistics and literary studies and multilingual mediation and communication with nine languages to choose from and six areas of specialization.

Pathway

Students will spend one year at each university and will earn an MA from both institutions. Applicants must apply to and be accepted into each program, separately, indicating interest in the dual degree program.

Students will specialize in European Studies at the University of Guelph, and in Linguistics and Literary Studies at Vrije Universiteit Brussel with one of the following 6 subject areas: Intermediality, Linguistics, Literary Studies, Multilingualism and Foreign Language Acquisition, Psycholinguistics and Neurolinguistics, and Multilingual Mediation and Communication.

At the University of Guelph, dual degree students must complete a minimum of 4.00 credits as follows:

EURO*6000 [0.50] Research Methods Seminar
EURO*6010 [0.50] European Identities
EURO*6300 [1.00] European Studies, Linguistics and Literary Studies Research Projects
2.00 credits to be chosen from a list of restricted electives in European Studies and other programs such as Art History and Visual Culture, English, French, History, Political Science and Philosophy.

Visit the European Studies website for an updated list:
https://www.uoguelph.ca/arts/solal/programs/european-studies/exploring-european-identities-ma

At Vrije Universiteit Brussel, dual degree students must complete 42 ECTS consisting of a research methodology course, the linguistics and literary studies in Brussels course, and profile “field courses”.
Visit the Multilingual Master website for an updated list:
https://www.vub.be/en/studying-vub/all-study-programmes-vub/bachelors-and-masters-programmes-vub/multilingual-master-in-linguistics-and-literary-studies

Students should complete the research methods course at whichever institution they study at first; they may choose to complete an elective instead of a second research methods course at their second institution.

The Research Project (EURO*6300) is jointly supervised by a faculty member at the University of Guelph and Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

Requirements and Admission

Requirement for admission to the European Studies MA program is the equivalent of an Honours degree from a recognized institution with at least a B+ average in the last four full-time semesters of study. A reading competence in a European language in addition to English is recommended. Coursework for the program is normally done in English. Students wishing to enter the program do so in September. The following documents must accompany your request for admission:

The official application form – https://graduatestudies.uoguelph.ca/future/applying-guelph
A detailed up-to-date curriculum vitae.
A one-page statement of research (letter of intent) outlining your reasons for applying to this program.
A sample of writing that displays your aptitude for research and analytical thinking (approx. 2,500 words).
Two letters of recommendation.

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel MA in Linguistics and Literary Studies is open to students who have completed a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Literary Studies (or related fields) from a Flemish or international university.

Coursework for the program is done in the language in which the course is offered (please check the course titles!). Applications are submitted through the website www.vub.be/en/apply

A detailed up-to-date curriculum vitae.
A personal motivation statement outlining your reasons for applying to this program.
Two letters of recommendation.
Transcripts of records (marks sheets) of your university studies up til now

An interview will determine your final acceptance into the program.

Deadlines

University of Guelph: January 31.

Vrije Universiteit Brussel: Students who require a visa (non-EU/EEA nationals): April 1^st; students who do not require a visa and have not obtained their degree in Belgium: August 31^st.

Applicants must apply to and be accepted into each program, separately, indicating interest in the dual degree program at the time of application. Individuals may apply to both programs at the outset of their studies, or they may apply sequentially. That is, students already registered in one of the two participating programs may apply to the other and “transfer” into the dual degree program.