IB Pathways
Sign Language Linguistics (Linguistics)

University of Amsterdam · Netherlands

Sign Language Linguistics (Linguistics)

Sign languages from around the world: their structure, acquisition and use studied as a linguist, at one of the few universities with a full programme on visual-spatial languages.

Image: University of Amsterdam

Where
AmsterdamNetherlands
Degree
BA
Length
3 years
Taught in
English
Starts
Autumn 2027
Apply by
1 May 2027Housing by 1 Apr
Admission
Open to all who qualify
EU/EEA fee
€2,7712027/28 statutory fee
More facts
Degree
BA
Length
3 years
Taught in
English
Starts
Autumn 2027

Deadlines

  1. 1 December 2026*

    Create your Studielink account
    Your own plan
    Details

    Not an official deadline. With a Dutch address you log in with DigiD, which the government says takes about five days. Without one you upload a scan or photo of your passport or EU identity card and Studielink verifies it automatically. Either way, do it well before 15 January.

    Source

  2. 1 April 2027

    Deadline if you want UvA Housing (non-selective programmes)
    DetailsSource

  3. 1 May 2027

    Final deadline, non-selective programmes
    Hard deadline
    DetailsSource
All dates for this programme (1 more)

  1. 6 July 2027*

    IB results released
    Details

    Both Dutch deadlines fall well before this. How a conditional place pending results is handled is set by each institution; ask yours.

    Source

* Last year’s date, not yet confirmed.

Every date in the Netherlands

What it is

You study how sign languages are structured while learning Sign Language of the Netherlands yourself, over four levels in year one. First-year courses include introductions to linguistics and sign linguistics, transcription of sign languages, morphology and sociolinguistics. Years two and three cover the phonology, morphology, syntax, lexicon and psycholinguistics of sign languages, semantics and pragmatics, linguistic theories and research methods, ending in a bachelor's thesis. You have space for a minor, electives or study abroad, and internships are possible at the Dutch Sign Center, in hospital clinical linguistics or in research.

What you need

  • Full IB Diploma needed (IB courses alone are not accepted); English as an IB exam subject covers the English requirement.
Requirements in full

Where it says so

Its entry requirements

Check it on uva.nl

How places are decided

    • Everyone eligible is admitted
    No cap: meet the requirements and you are admitted. Apply in Studielink by 1 May (earlier if you want UvA housing) and complete UvA Matching.
Sources (2)
  1. Sign Language Linguistics (Linguistics) at UvA — checked 2026-09-30
  2. Entry requirements

Other degrees at UvA