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Speech Science and Phonetics (M.A.): guidelines for application

Application in two steps: online application and eligibility assessment

1.) Deadlines and application process

Students are admitted to the programme for the winter semester. The application process consists of two steps:

a) The online application (myassist)

b) The eligibility assessment process (formerly aptitude test)

The aptitude test for the programme takes place in the summer in the form of individually arranged appointments (which can also take place online where appropriate).

You are recommended to register for the aptitude test early. To do this, write an email to sprechwissenschaft@uni-marburg.de with the subject “Registration for the eligibility assessment process”.

Please note that the online application process via myassist and the eligibility assessment process for this programme are (largely) independent of one another.

2.) Admission requirements for the MA in Speech Science and Phonetics:

Evidence of a completed bachelor’s degree or an at least equivalent German or foreign university degree in the field of linguistics, phonetics or speech science. Please find the details in the examination regulations.
Evidence of a bachelor’s thesis with a relevant subject matter relating to speech or communication science or speech therapy. If the bachelor’s certificate is not yet available at the time of registration for the aptitude test, the subject must be specified in the application documents.
Evidence of basic knowledge of the technique of aural phonetic analysis (knowledge of the IPA) amounting to at least 3 credits
Suitability for a speaking- and listening-intensive programme, certified by a specialist, phoniatric voice and hearing report (no more than two years old). The report is part of the eligibility assessment and can – if it is not available at the applicant’s personal appointment – be submitted later at any point before matriculation. The phoniatric report is not required for the online application process.
Two foreign languages: a knowledge of English at Level B 2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages as well as knowledge of an additional foreign language, specifically either knowledge of a modern foreign language at Level B 1 or a knowledge of Latin within the scope of the Latinum (usually covered by the higher education entrance qualification certificate).
A knowledge of German at the level of DSH-3 in the case of applicants who are not native speakers.
A successfully passed eligibility assessment process

3.) Eligibility assessment process

After registering by sending an email to sprechwissenschaft@uni-marburg.de, you will receive a confirmation and an invitation to a personal appointment. In exceptional cases, an online appointment is also possible.

Please note that a specialist phoniatric voice and hearing report (no more than two years old) that certifies your suitability for a speaking- and listening-intensive programme should be presented at the personal appointment. If this is not available at the personal appointment, it can be submitted later at any point before matriculation.

Procedure of the aptitude test (approx. 40 minutes):

Subject-oriented preliminary and motivational discussion
Presentation of texts (poetry, prose)
Performance of a short speech in the character of an appeal on the basis of a cue sheet
Discussion analysing an example (speech, video or sound sample)
Transcription exercise (using the IPA)

The texts do not have to be recited by heart.

We assess aptitude for the programme on the basis of the following criteria:

Vocal skills
The ability to use the physiology of the voice in presentation and conversation situations.
Knowledge and application of the IPA:
The ability to read and articulate a transcription in the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet)
Rhetorical skills:
The ability to express a train thought in a planned, structured and target group-appropriate manner.
Speaking and articulatory skills:
The ability to speak in a manner appropriate to the situation in presentation and conversation situations and to shape the entire speaking process.
The ability to frame various texts in a manner appropriate to the type of text and to make intentional use of vocal devices.
Analytical skills:
The ability to explain individual elements of a speech, a video or a sound sample and to discuss them.