Clinical Linguistics / EMCL

How is language stored in the brain? What effects can brain damage have on our ability to use language? And why do some children have difficulty learning language? Find it out in this track.

The two-year international Research Master's track in Clinical Linguistics is part of the prestigious international Erasmus Mundus programme in Clinical Linguistics, EMCL++. EMCL++ is an integrated two-year Master's programme offered jointly by a consortium of the Universities of Groningen (NL), Ghent (B) and Eastern Finland (FI) and 26 associated partners from the academic, R&D, and clinical sector, finishing with a joint Msc degree from the three institutions. It is a full-time interdisciplinary and transnational university programme at the Masters level, providing integrated training in neurolinguistics, psycholinguistics, and clinical linguistics.

The regular study period is 24 months. It consists of 4 semesters; 2 teaching semesters, the third semester is a combination of a teaching semester and internship, the fourth semester to finish the masters thesis. After finishing this track you will receive a joint degree.

Most recent information on the EMCL++ programme can be found at: emcl.eu

Facts & Figures

Degree: MA/MSc in Linguistics (research)
Course type: Research master
Duration: 24 months (120 ECTS)
Croho code: 60817
Language of instruction: English
Start: September
Faculty: Arts

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Why study this programme in Groningen?

In Groningen, courses focus on neuroimaging, language processing, and developmental and acquired language disorders.

Developmental Language Disorders

Cross Linguistic Aspects of Aphasia

Language Testing during Awake Surgery

Neuro Imaging and Language

Programme

	Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >	1a	1b	2a	2b
Development of serious games, apps and Virtual Reality for language impaired populations (Groningen) (6 EC)
Language and Culture (Groningen) (3 EC)
Language and speech disorders in adults (Groningen) (5 EC)
Language and speech disorders in children (Groningen) (5 EC)
Language testing during awake brain surgery (Groningen) (6 EC)
Neuroimaging and Language (Groningen) (5 EC)
Advances in Psycholinguistics (Ghent) (3 EC)
Bilingualism (Ghent) (4 EC)
Computational models in psycholinguistics (Ghent) (4 EC)
Dyslexia (Ghent) (4 EC)
Eye-tracking in language research (Ghent) (3 EC)
Language and Culture (Ghent) (3 EC)
Statistics and Research Methods in Psycholinguistics (Ghent) (9 EC)

	Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >	1a	1b	2a	2b
Academic writing (thesis preparation) (Finland) (4 EC)
Articulatory, acoustic and perceptual analysis of speech motor disorders (Finland) (4 EC)
Language and autism (Finland) (2 EC)
Language and Culture (Finland) (3 EC)
Python programming for linguistic research (Finland) (3 EC)
Speech technology for speech impairment research (Finland) (4 EC)
Internship (Various Locations) (10 EC)
Thesis (Various locations) (30 EC)

Curriculum

For more course info go to: https://emcl.eu/

Study abroad

Study abroad is required
Maximum of 90 EC

Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirements	More information
previous education	Prospective students with a Bachelor's degree in Linguistics or another Bachelor's degree with a substantial linguistics component are eligible for admission to this Master's track. Examples of these types of Bachelor's programmes are: Speech and language pathology Linguistics Biomedical sciences Psychology Special education
grade list	An excellent academic record: An overview of the results achieved so far within the Bachelor's degree programme and/or other university degree programmes is required.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)	A CV in EuroPass format, see the link below
language test	Minimum English Language requirement of: TOEFL 600 (paper), 250 (computer) or 100 points (internet, with at least a score of 25 on the component 'writing') / IELTS of at least 7,0 (or above with at least a score of 6.5 on all separate components)/ Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency Certificate.
reference letter	Two personal letters of recommendation from staff members who can comment on the students' affinity with and capacities for research.
(motivation-) letter	A letter outlining the prospective student's motivation for applying to the EMCL++ programme, including their expectations and interests.
other admission requirements	Students must be willing to follow part of the programme at the partner universities. Please note that other documents also have to be submitted in order to complete your application, such as a copy of your passport, a scan of your original diploma and a scan of your original academic transcripts. For more information, see: https://www.emcl.eu/admission/

Transfer options

Transferring from...

All Research universities

University of Groningen

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Linguistics	All Research universities	Additional requirements More information: Please note that this programme has a selection procedure.
Biomedische Wetenschappen	All Research universities	Additional requirements More information: Please note that this programme has a selection procedure.
Psychology (EN)	All Research universities	Additional requirements More information: Please note that this programme has a selection procedure.

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Linguistics	University of Groningen	Additional requirements More information: Please note that this programme has a selection procedure.
Psychology (NL)	University of Groningen	Additional requirements More information: Please note that this programme has a selection procedure.
Biomedical Engineering	University of Groningen	Additional requirements More information: Please note that this programme has a selection procedure.

Registration procedure

Note: it's not possible to start in February. For more information, please contact the study advisor.

Please read about the admission procedure on Admission EMCL+

Selection procedure

Application deadlines

Type of student	Deadline	Start course
Dutch students	01 December 2025	01 September 2026
EU/EEA students	01 December 2025	01 September 2026
non-EU/EEA students	01 December 2025	01 September 2026

Admission requirements

Specific requirements	More information
previous education	Prospective students with a Bachelor's degree in Linguistics or another Bachelor's degree with a substantial linguistics component are eligible for admission to this Master's track. Examples of these types of Bachelor's programmes are: Speech and language pathology Linguistics Biomedical sciences Psychology Special education
grade list	An excellent academic record: An overview of the results achieved so far within the Bachelor's degree programme and/or other university degree programmes is required.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)	A CV in EuroPass format, see the link below
language test	Minimum English Language requirement of: TOEFL 600 (paper), 250 (computer) or 100 points (internet, with at least a score of 25 on the component 'writing') / IELTS of at least 7,0 (or above with at least a score of 6.5 on all separate components)/ Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency Certificate.
reference letter	Two personal letters of recommendation from staff members who can comment on the students' affinity with and capacities for research.
(motivation-) letter	A letter outlining the prospective student's motivation for applying to the EMCL++ programme, including their expectations and interests.
other admission requirements	Students must be willing to follow part of the programme at the partner universities. Please note that other documents also have to be submitted in order to complete your application, such as a copy of your passport, a scan of your original diploma and a scan of your original academic transcripts. For more information, see: https://www.emcl.eu/admission/

Language requirements

Exam	Minimum score
C1 Advanced (formerly CAE)	C1
IELTS overall band	7
TOEFL paper based	600
TOEFL computer based	250
TOEFL internet based	100

Registration procedure

Note: it's not possible to start in February. For more information, please contact the study advisor.

Please read about the admission procedure on Admission EMCL+

Selection procedure

Application deadlines

Type of student	Deadline	Start course
Dutch students	01 December 2025	01 September 2026
EU/EEA students	01 December 2025	01 September 2026
non-EU/EEA students	01 December 2025	01 September 2026

Tuition fees

EU-students: €4.500 per year // non-EU students: €9.000 per year

Practical information for:

Dutch students International students

After your studies

Job prospects

The aim of the Masters' track is to train highly qualified and advanced students who are excellently prepared for wide employability, by the unique combination of research training and an internship with an academic, R&D in neurotechnology, or clinical component. This means that we prepare the students for employment in the academic, R&D and clinical field. Importantly, the track is not meant to train students to become speech and language therapists.

Job examples

Research oriented career
PhD student

Research

The Clinical Linguistics/EMCL track in Groningen, which is offered by the Graduate School for the Humanities, is linked to excellent, multidisciplinary research which is carried out at the Centre for Language and Cognition Groningen (CLCG) and the Groningen Research School for Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience (BCN).

Apply now Brochure Events Contact

Dutch brochure English brochure

17Mar

Master's Weeksdiverse locatiesMore information

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Contact

Dr. Roel Jonkers (local coordinator)
Email: r.jonkers rug.nl
Telephone: +31 50 363 6129
Alice Pomstra (study advisor)
Email: emcl rug.nl

NL Scholarships

The University of Groningen offers NL Scholarships to international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who want to do their master’s in the Netherlands. Read more on the NL Scholarships and on how to apply.

Master's degree programme in Linguistics

The Faculty of Arts also offers a one year master’s degree programme in Linguistics.