Overview

The Linguistics programme provided by Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, offered jointly with the University of Verona, provides specializations across core areas of linguistic analysis, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and the lexicon, as well as fields such as sociolinguistics, dialogue and conversation analysis, discourse analysis, language acquisition, language teaching, Germanic and Romance philology, and language policy. An International Doctoral Track, developed in cooperation with the University of Marburg, enables candidates to earn both an Italian and a German PhD. The programme also collaborates with research institutes such as Eurac Research and with institutions involved in minority language protection, supporting projects aligned with the expertise of the PhD board.

Key Facts

The programme emphasizes multilingualism, language contact, and dialectology, particularly in relation to German and Romance languages, across its partner universities in Bolzano and Verona. Its objective is to develop highly qualified professionals with strong methodological and scientific expertise, capable of teaching linguistic topics at introductory university level and expanding into new specialization areas. Coursework is delivered through winter and summer schools, seminars, and interdisciplinary courses across campuses in Brixen-Bressanone, Bozen-Bolzano, and Verona, in English, German, and Italian.

Each doctoral candidate is supported by two supervisors and may engage in research projects linked to funding initiatives such as PRIN, DFG, SNF, and PNRR, often with local institutional collaboration. The programme also promotes international research mobility through established networks like Erasmus partnerships and collaborations with universities including Marburg and Tromsø, with additional opportunities for tailored cotutelle agreements.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Phonetics, Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Semantics, Pragmatics, Lexicon;

Sociolinguistics;
Dialogue Analysis, Conversation Analysis, Discourse Analysis;
Language Acquisition;
Language Teaching;
Romance Philology And Historical Linguistics;
Language Contact, Germanic And Romance Dialectology, Minority Languages And Multilingualism;
Language Policies And Language Planning;

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-11-01 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-06-10 00:00:00

Language

English, Partially taught in German, Partially taught in Italian

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Bolzano - Bozen, Italy

Disciplines

Linguistics View 4 other PhDs in Linguistics in Italy

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.

Other requirements

General requirements

A postgraduate degree in accordance with Italian Ministerial Decree

A degree from the former Italian university system, or an equivalent foreign qualification (minimum five years of university-level education)

If the degree has not yet been obtained by the enrolment deadline, conditional admission is granted, but the certificate must be submitted by the deadline or the application will be considered null and void

An appropriate educational and/or cultural background and/or research experience is required

Qualifications in the field relevant to the PhD programme are preferred

The Commission assesses and determines the suitability of previous qualifications for admission

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

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Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Free University of Bozen-Bolzano and/or in Italy, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fees

Additional Details

One-off registration fee: EUR 200, including a EUR 16 revenue stamp

Living costs

Bolzano - Bozen

Italy

750 - 1100 EUR / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Linguistics.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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