Multilingualism

Contribute to important societal challenges

Multilingualism is the reality of the world we live in. Today’s global mobility and technological advancements lead to increased cultural and linguistic flows and exchanges. New opportunities and new challenges arise as most humans use or are exposed to two or more languages. But how does our brain acquire and process multiple languages? How can we effectively engage in multilingual, cross-cultural communication? And how to ensure that multilingual societies provide quality education, healthcare, and well-being for all members?

There is an urgent need to answer these questions in order to offer valuable solutions to stakeholders - ranging from migrants and students to policymakers, education authorities, tech companies and NGOs - who seek to navigate language diversity and make constructive decisions. The master’s programme in Multilingualism aims to prepare future researchers and professionals to help address these issues.

Choose a specialisation and course of study

In this multidisciplinary programme you will work with professors who are engaged in research and practice in several areas of multilingualism, including psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics and applied linguistics. You may choose to specialise in social or cognitive/ psychological approaches to the study of multilingualism, and you will gain familiarity with research in both approaches. The flexible program structure is designed to support students from different scholarly and professional backgrounds, and with different future goals. You can choose elective courses in your area(s) of interest and opt to follow a research-intensive course of study or a practice-oriented course of study. You also have the option to conduct a professional internship or research apprenticeship in Norway or abroad.

Develop knowledge and skills

The programme will provide you with knowledge about theoretical and methodological developments in the study of individual and societal multilingualism, the ability to design and conduct your own research project, and the skills to apply your knowledge in addressing real-world challenges in your future career. Whether you want to evaluate language competence in a laboratory or clinical setting, or explore communication practices unfolding in social life, you will learn the core theories and methods needed to examine pressing questions in these areas. The skills that you will gain in project-design, critical analysis, writing and presenting for a variety of audiences, and collaborating in multidisciplinary teams will support your future work in research or other professional settings.

Student community, support, and resources

You will learn alongside students from different cultural, linguistic, and scholarly backgrounds. As a student in the MA in Multilingualism, you will be hosted in the Department of Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies among a broader community of MA students in several programs, with access to services including the Department’s MA student study lounge, and the University of Oslo’s excellent libraries, Writing Center and Career Services.