entry requirements & admission
current application information
The second application period for the 2023/2024 winter semester will be open from 15 May 2023 till 04 September 2023.
Please be aware that the deadlines may change again. We recommend that you check our website regularly.
Please note that this Master program only starts in the winter semester.
Those admitted to the program can officially enroll in late summer, most likely in September.
important!
The University of Bonn requires you to show proof of your German skills in order to enroll! A successful application (i.e. acceptance into the programme "Applied Linguistics") does NOT guarantee that you can start studying at the University of Bonn UNLESS you can provide proof of your German language skills at the time of enrollment. Please find more information on the test results needed below.
applicants are required to submit the following:
- the application form for the University of Bonn
- a notarized copy of their B.A. certificate and diploma supplement (students still enrolled in a B.A. program at the time of application, please submit their current transcript of grades)
- a certified copy of their high school diploma
Please note that these documents should not be sent via post or e-mail, but need to be uploaded to the University of Bonn's application portal which can be accessed during the application period for this program.
Please upload additional documents such as additional certificates with your application (or send them to mentor-appliedlinguistics[at]uni-bonn.de during the application period in case the upload is not possible).
**Note: After you have been accepted to the program, you will need to show a certificate attesting German language competence (DSH-1 or TestDaF TDN3 or ÖSD-B2) before registering as a student of the university**
More information on entry requirements and admission
general prerequisites for the admission to the M.A. program:
bachelor's degree:
In order to study the MA Applied Linguistics, a German or foreign BA is required that forms a reasonable basis for the Master program. The Bachelor "English Studies" from the University of Bonn is suitable for the Master program if linguistic modules have been attended. Other BAs are welcome if students passed modules that are of immediate relevance to the topics of Applied Linguistics and which account for at least 36 LP ("Leistungspunkte"; Credit Points), including 18 LP in practical English language courses. The requirements for practical language courses can be lowered if participants can attest a comparable involvement with the English language by other means (e.g. English language competence certificates: or additional linguistics courses in relevant topic areas).
Note that in this context, "Applied Linguistics" refers to scientific research and not actual applications such as translating or language teaching. Graduates of BA programs explicitly focused on these areas are not technically excluded, but the corresponding applicants have to demonstrate that a sufficient background in linguistics in this sense has been acquired.
You may also apply if you have already aquired another Master's degree and the required linguistic background (BA level). However, you cannot apply if you already have an MA in Applied Linguistics.
german language skills:
Even though the program is taught in English, you are required to show proof of your German skills in order to apply for our program. This means you will have to show the proof of your German skills at the latest at the time of your enrollment at the university. In case you are still taking part in a German course just state this in your application.
One of the following test results for German is needed:
A DSH-1 score (or better) if you have taken a German test at a German university
A TestDaF certificate with a score of at least 3 in all categories (TDN3)
A ÖSD-B2 certificate
There are several exceptions: Applicants with a Goethe certificate B2 or students who have completed a Bachelor's program at a German university which was taught in German do not have to take the DSH test. For a full list of exceptions and more detailed information about DSH, see this official document by the University of Bonn (in German): Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH).
It is possible to take the DSH test after your arrival in Bonn, but please be aware of the application deadlines and fees for the courses and the exam (click here for further information). Additionally, the International Office of the university is offering intensive German language classes (click here for further information).
The application:
All three MA programs of the IAAK (Department of English, American and Celtic Studies) require an application. The next application period for the 2023/2024 winter semester will be open from 15th May 2023 till 04 Septemper 2023. Please note that the M.A. program only starts in the winter semester.
You can only apply at the online application portal of the University of Bonn.
Even though the program is taught in English, you are required to show proof of your German skills in order to apply for our program. This means you will have to show the proof of your German skills at the latest at the time of your enrollment at the university. In case you are still taking part in a German course just state this in your application.
One of the following test results for German is needed:
A DSH-1 score (or better) if you have taken a German test at a German university
A TestDaF certificate with a score of at least 3 in all categories (TDN3)
A ÖSD-B2 certificate
There are several exceptions: Applicants with a Goethe certificate B2 or students who have completed a Bachelor's program that was taught entirely in German do not have to take the DSH test. For a full list of exceptions and more detailed information about DSH, see this official document by the University of Bonn (in German): Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH).
It is possible to take the DSH test after your arrival in Bonn, but please be aware of the application deadlines and fees for the courses and the exam (click here for further information).
The application process is completely electronic via this online portal, so please do not send applications by post or email.
You can find the online application portal here. Please note that you can only apply during the application phase, which will be open at the dates listed above.
For the application, you have to provide a notarized copy of your BA degree and a certified copy of your high school diploma. Please note that the University of Bonn accepts only official documents either in German or in English. Should your documents be in another language, you have to provide a notarized translation. You can obtain a notarized translation of your documents either at a German embassy or consulate in your home country or at an embassy or consulate of your home country in Germany.
In order to enroll you must present original copies of both your bachelor degree and your high school diploma. The documents must be in either German or English (if necessary, with a notarized translation). There is no need to submit a personal statement or a letter of motivation.
If you cannot enroll during the official enrollment period, please send an email to Veronika Egenolf-Durner in the admissions office via the official contact form (click here).
course of studies
Usually, the finalized course syllabus for the upcoming semester will be available on our electronic course catalog 6-8 weeks before the semester start. A preliminary version is available earlier, but you cannot register for the courses yet.
Students may spent the thrid semester abroad, however, this is optional. Students can either take required courses in Bonn or at other universities abroad. We encourage students to look for study programs at foreign universities which match both our study requirements as well as their own research interests. The University of Bonn cooperates with a number of universities throughout Europe which have already participated in our exchange program. Additionally, the option to spend the third semester at the University of Albany, NY, USA, is potentially available.
tuition
There are no tuition fees at the University of Bonn. There are, however, some fees that include a "Semesterticket" (public transportation ticket for North Rhine-Westphalia) and many more useful and necessary things.
Due to changes in the price of the ticket and the other items on the list, the "Sozialbeiträge" (social dues) may vary slightly from one term to the next. The sum for the summer term 2023 amounted to 320,11 €.
Click here for more details (in German) on the student fees.
For further information, especially for international students, click here.
