Master in Language and Mind: Linguistics and Cognitive Studies at University of Siena
Two-year English-taught master in linguistics and cognitive studies (LM-39, 120 ECTS) at the University of Siena, with two curricula and a double degree with Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. Entry needs a relevant bachelor's and English at B2.
Master
2 years
Siena
English
University of Siena
Language and Mind: Linguistics and Cognitive Studies is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-39) taught in English at the University of Siena. Entry needs a bachelor's the committee finds relevant, such as linguistics, languages, philosophy or psychology, plus English at B2. DSU Toscana winners and eligible students are exempt from contributions, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Siena's Language and Mind master asks for a bachelor's degree that the Didactic Committee finds relevant to the programme, English at B2, and possibly a motivation letter and a video interview in English. All students must reach C1 English before graduation. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree requirement
These degree rules come from the course regulations in force from 2018/19, which the programme's current admission page still follows. [1][2]
If you hold a foreign degree, the Didactic Committee assesses it case by case, looking at how relevant your degree, and the whole study path behind it, is to the programme's aims. It may ask for a motivation letter and an interview in English, which can be held by video. [1][2]
For Italian degrees, the rules name the subject areas that count: at least 40 CFU, with a final mark of at least 100/110, in fields such as linguistics and foreign languages, Italian and Romance philology, philosophy, psychology, logic and algebra, computer science, physics, physiology, neurology and audiology, anthropology, pedagogy and sociology. Graduates from other Italian degree classes need at least 75 CFU in these fields. [1]
What this means for your transcript
As a guide, based on the rule above, the subject list shows which fields count as relevant:
- Usually a fit: a BA in English, linguistics or a foreign language, or a BA or B.Sc. in Psychology or Philosophy.
- Check carefully: a BCA, a B.Sc. in Computer Science or Mathematics, or a BA in Sociology or Education. These cover some listed fields, so the committee weighs how much of your degree relates to language and cognition.
- Often short: a B.Com, BBA, or a B.Tech or B.E. outside computing, as these degrees rarely include the listed subjects.
English
English at CEFR B2 or higher, shown by a certificate. The programme accepts Cambridge FCE or BEC Vantage, Trinity ISE II, TOEFL iBT 72 or higher and IELTS Academic 5.5 or higher as B2. [2]
Applicants whose bachelor's included three English language exams, as in a languages degree, do not need a certificate. In exceptional cases you can send the committee a reasoned request with a self-declaration of your level. All students must reach C1 before graduation. [2]
Selection
The regulations do not set an entrance test. The Didactic Committee reviews your documents and may ask for a motivation letter and an interview in English by video conference. [1][2]
Deadlines
Admissions for 2026/27 are closed. Siena opens the 2027/28 intake on its application portal in November 2026, and the portal sets the dates for each student category. [3]
Documents and non-EU steps
You apply on Siena's application portal and pay the programme's non-refundable admission fee. For a master's, you upload a passport, an official transcript (or a provisional certificate if your degree is still in progress) or a Diploma Supplement, certified translations of documents not in Italian or English, your English certificate and a CV. Some programmes also ask for a motivation letter, up to two reference letters or a short video. [3]
Legalised copies of your qualifications are needed only after admission, for final enrolment. Non-EU applicants complete Universitaly pre-enrolment for the study visa, and enrolment is completed by paying the first fee instalment. [3][4]
Sources and verification
Checked by the ApplyAZ admissions team against the university's official documents listed below. Entry rules can change with each new call, and we re-check them before every application.
- University of Siena, Department of Social, Political and Cognitive Sciences. Teaching regulations of the Master's degree in Language and Mind: Linguistics and Cognitive Studies (LM-39), in force from academic year 2018/19. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Siena, Language and Mind programme website. Admission requirements and English diagnostic test pages, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Siena, international admissions website and application portal. Documents required for admission and intake calendar for 2026/27 and 2027/28. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Siena. Regulation on tuition fees and contributions, academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
Language and Mind: Linguistics and Cognitive Studies is a two-year laurea magistrale in class LM-39 (linguistics), worth 120 ECTS and taught entirely in English. It is run in Siena by the Department of Social, Political and Cognitive Sciences.
The degree studies language and cognition in depth, with a strong research focus, and prepares students to go on to doctoral study. It suits graduates in linguistics, languages, philosophy or psychology who want to work on theoretical and experimental models of language.
What you will study
You choose between two complementary curricula, Linguistics and Cognition and Philosophy and Cognition, and can combine courses from both. The degree page highlights these areas:
- theoretical linguistics and models of linguistic analysis
- computational linguistics
- psycholinguistics
- language acquisition
- cognitive psychology
- text analysis
- philosophy of language and mind
How the programme is taught
Students learn to read and work with a specialised scientific literature, mostly in English, and take part in theoretical and experimental research. The degree offers a double degree with Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and several Erasmus+ agreements with European universities.
Career paths
Beyond doctoral research, the university lists applied fields that need an in-depth knowledge of linguistic models and experimental methods:
- fundamental and applied research on human language
- language teaching and didactics
- study of language disorders and rehabilitation techniques
- computational and technology applications involving language
Fees and scholarships
At the University of Siena, tuition depends on the Italian ISEE; an ISEE parificato cannot be used. Under the 2026/27 rules, students without a valid ISEE pay a contribution scaled to their country of citizenship. DSU Toscana winners and eligible students are exempt, so this programme can be tuition-free for eligible students. [4]
How to apply from outside the EU
The Didactic Committee reviews foreign degrees case by case for relevance to the programme, and may ask for a motivation letter and a video interview in English. [1][2] You need English at B2, shown by a certificate such as IELTS Academic 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 72, unless your bachelor's included three English language exams. [2] Applications go through apply.unisi.it, where each programme lists its own admission fee. [3]
Admissions for 2026/27 are closed, and Siena opens the 2027/28 intake in November 2026. After admission, non-EU applicants complete Universitaly pre-enrolment for the study visa, then enrol by paying the first fee instalment. [3][4]
How ApplyAZ helps
ApplyAZ is an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities. We can include this programme in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes that fit your profile, so your plan never rests on a single application.
For eligible students who start with us, a named person owns each stage, from A to Z:
- We check your transcript against Siena's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your online application, supporting documents and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your DSU Toscana scholarship application at the right time and in the right format.
- We prepare your visa file.
With operations in all 20 Italian regions, we follow each region's scholarship rules and deadlines as they change. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa, so no one can promise an outcome. You pay in milestones, and every service you pay for is either delivered or its fee is refunded (terms apply).
Programmes at Italian public universities can be tuition-free for eligible students. Check if you are eligible and book a one-to-one consultation session with one of our Italy experts, or see how ApplyAZ works.
Questions and answers
What bachelor's degree do I need for Siena's Language and Mind master?
A bachelor's that the Didactic Committee finds relevant to the programme's aims. Foreign degrees are assessed case by case, and the regulations point to linguistics, languages, philosophy, psychology, computer science and related fields. A motivation letter and video interview may be requested. [1][2]
Is there an entrance exam?
No. The regulations do not set an entrance test. The Didactic Committee reviews your documents and may ask for a motivation letter and an interview in English, which can be held by video conference. [1][2]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at B2. IELTS Academic 5.5 or higher, TOEFL iBT 72 or higher, Cambridge FCE or BEC Vantage, and Trinity ISE II are accepted. A bachelor's with three English language exams can replace the certificate. You must reach C1 before graduation. [2]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
Admissions for 2026/27 are closed. Siena opens the 2027/28 intake on its application portal in November 2026, and the portal sets the dates for each student category. We track the window for you. [3]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Siena's admissions site lets master's applicants upload an official transcript, or a provisional certificate if the degree is still in progress. Legalised copies of your qualification are needed only after admission, at final enrolment. [3]
I have a BCA or a B.Sc. in Psychology. Can I apply?
A Psychology degree sits close to the programme, since psychology is among the fields the regulations list. A BCA touches computer science, which is also listed, but the committee weighs how much of your degree relates to language and cognition. [1]
Which curricula are offered?
Two: Linguistics and Cognition, and Philosophy and Cognition. You choose when you submit your first-year study plan, can switch up to the second-year plan, and can combine courses from both. [1]
How do fees work for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, students without a valid Italian ISEE pay a contribution scaled to their country of citizenship, and ISEE parificato is not accepted. DSU Toscana winners and eligible students are fully exempt, so the programme can be tuition-free for eligible students. [4]
Can someone handle my whole application to Language and Mind at Siena?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Siena's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the DSU Toscana scholarship application at the right time and in the right format, and prepares your visa file, for eligible students. Start by checking your eligibility.
I'm applying from India. What is the route into Language and Mind?
An Indian BA in English, linguistics or a foreign language, or a degree in psychology or philosophy, sits closest to the fields Siena's rules list, and the committee reviews each foreign degree case by case. You also need English at B2. The steps are the online application, the committee review and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [1][2] Indian students apply for the type D study visa at the Italian embassy or consulate that covers their state, such as New Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru.
Is the route different from Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka?
No. The academic rules for Language and Mind are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: online application, committee review and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for their country of residence. Read our guide for students in Dhaka.
I live in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman or Bahrain. Where do I apply for the visa?
At the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for the country where you legally live, after Universitaly pre-enrolment. The academic rules for Language and Mind are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: online application, committee review and Universitaly pre-enrolment. Read our guides for Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.
I studied or live in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. What is the route?
The academic rules for Language and Mind are the same whatever your nationality, and your degree is assessed like any other foreign qualification. Non-EU applicants who live abroad follow the same route: online application, committee review and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for where they live. Read our guides for students in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
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