Master in Language Sciences at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Two-year linguistics master at Ca' Foscari in Venice whose English Linguistics curriculum, taught entirely in English, joins diachronic and synchronic linguistics with English and American literature and cultural studies, with an optional joint master's semester abroad.
Master
2 years
Venice
Multiple
Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Language Sciences is a two-year, 120 ECTS linguistics master's degree (class LM-39) at Ca' Foscari University of Venice. Its English Linguistics curriculum is taught entirely in English and links to a European joint master's in English and American Studies. Non-EU students pay a flat fee by citizenship; eligible regional scholarship applicants are exempt.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree of at least three years, usually in modern languages or linguistic mediation.
- At least 54 ECTS across linguistics and philology, related humanities and social science fields, and the language you specialise in, including 24 ECTS in that language.
- Your specialisation language at B2 to C1 level: C1 for English/Anglo-American, and English at B2 at least for everyone at enrolment.
- A motivation letter, CV and transcript, assessed by the Teaching Committee, which may add an interview or an oral check in which you read and discuss an English text.
- At enrolment, your degree certificate and transcript with an official translation, plus a CIMEA Statement of Comparability, a declaration of value, an ARDI statement with CIMEA verification, or a Diploma Supplement.
About the programme
Language Sciences is a two-year master's degree in class LM-39 (Linguistics), taught at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, which has offered it since 2008/09. It carries 120 ECTS, admission is open subject to an assessment of each applicant, and attendance is not compulsory. The degree is Italian and English, with six curricula. The English Linguistics curriculum is conducted entirely in English, and the Language Sciences curriculum also uses English as its medium of instruction alongside your chosen language.
English Linguistics combines an in-depth study of linguistics, from both a diachronic and a synchronic perspective, with English and American literary and cultural studies. It suits graduates in modern languages, English studies or linguistic mediation who want advanced English, C1 to C2, and research skills in linguistics.
What you will study
The 2026/27 study plan for English Linguistics has 54 ECTS of core units in linguistics, philology, English and American literature and digital editing, 24 ECTS of related units chosen from a list, 12 ECTS of free choice and a 29 ECTS thesis. Units include:
- Comparative History of the Germanic Languages
- English Language and Translation
- English Literature 1.1: The Renaissance
- American Literature and American Cultural Studies
- Elements of Digital Editing
- Computational Linguistics
- Discourse and Rhetoric
- Language and Gender
How the programme is taught
English Linguistics is one of the two Ca' Foscari routes into the European Joint Master's Programme in English and American Studies, run with the University of Graz, the University of Bamberg, Université Paris Cité, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and Jagiellonian University in Kraków. Joint master's students spend the first semester of the second year at a partner and earn at least 30 ECTS there. This route has its own application, which usually opens in December and closes in March or April of the year before enrolment.
Career paths
With C1 to C2 language skills, graduates can work at a high level of responsibility in institutions and organisations for lifelong learning, international cooperation or research, in Italy and abroad. The university also lists:
- Public bodies working on immigration, integration and inclusion
- Specialist and literary publishing
- Translation and interpreting
- Language teaching, after the training required by Italian rules
- Research in linguistics and language
Fees and scholarships
Tuition for non-EU students is a flat yearly amount tied to citizenship. In 2026/27 a master's student pays €1,300 from most countries, including countries like India, €700 from a country on the ministry's low human development list, or €2,300 from an OECD country; the €192 regional tax and €16 stamp duty are included. The Veneto regional scholarship, managed by Ca' Foscari, exempts eligible students from fees, which means zero euro tuition for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
International applicants go through apply.unive.it, uploading a transcript, CV, English certificate and motivation letter. The Teaching Committee checks your credits in linguistics and in your specialisation language, and it may hold an oral check in which you read and discuss an English text. One €30 fee covers two ranked choices. The 2026/27 portal opened on 17 December 2025 by citizenship round; 2027/28 dates are still pending.
After the eligibility letter you complete Universitaly pre-enrolment and apply for a type D study visa. Enrolment requires a CIMEA Statement of Comparability, a declaration of value, an ARDI statement with CIMEA verification, or a Diploma Supplement.
How ApplyAZ helps
If this programme fits your goals, ApplyAZ can include it in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes at Italian public universities. We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose, submit your applications and Universitaly pre-enrolment, file your DSU scholarship application and prepare your visa file, with a named person on each stage. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa. See how ApplyAZ works or check your eligibility.
Questions and answers
Is the Master in Language Sciences taught in English?
In part. The degree is Italian and English. Its English Linguistics curriculum is conducted entirely in English, and the Language Sciences curriculum uses English as the medium of instruction alongside your chosen language. Everyone needs at least B2 English to enrol.
What does the English Linguistics curriculum cover?
Linguistics from a diachronic and a synchronic perspective, with units such as Comparative History of the Germanic Languages, English Language and Translation, computational linguistics and discourse and rhetoric, plus English and American literature and cultural studies and a 29 ECTS thesis.
What bachelor's background do I need?
A bachelor's degree, usually in modern languages or linguistic mediation, with at least 54 ECTS across linguistics, related humanities fields and your specialisation language, including 24 ECTS in that language. English/Anglo-American as a specialisation language requires C1.
Is there an entrance test?
No written test. The Teaching Committee assesses your CV, transcript and motivation letter, and it may call you for an interview or an oral check in which you read and discuss an English text.
Is there a joint degree option?
Yes. English Linguistics students can apply separately for the European Joint Master's in English and American Studies, spending the first semester of the second year at a partner such as Graz, Bamberg, Paris Cité, Barcelona Autònoma or Kraków.
How much are the fees?
For 2026/27 non-EU master's students pay €1,300 a year from most countries, €700 from low human development countries or €2,300 from OECD countries. Students eligible for the Veneto regional scholarship are exempt from fees.
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