Class of Language

Overview

It was established in 2002 as Linguistisches Internationales Promotionsprogramm (LIPP) and offers a program for doctoral candidates of all linguistic disciplines at the LMU.

The systematically structured program addresses highly qualified graduates from Germany and abroad who wish to obtain a doctoral degree within three years in a research-oriented and interdisciplinary doctoral program. Professors from 13 linguistic disciplines represent a broad and inter-related range of theoretical positions, methodological approaches and practical orientation.

Features

The Class of Language at Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich provides:

• a research-oriented and systematically structured interdisciplinary syllabus
• an individual and intensive advisory support for doctoral candidates
• a variety of opportunities for exchanges among doctoral candidates, professors and international visiting scholars
• the opportunity to jointly organize international conferences with other doctoral candidates
• funding for international research stays and conference trips
• the possibility of pursuing a binational double doctorate through the procedure “cotutelle de thèse”

Programme Structure

Curriculum

• The goal of the Class of Language’s concept of supervision and training is to lead doctoral candidates to the completion of their degrees within three years.
• This is accomplished by adhering to the work plan and schedule agreed upon admission to the program, a plan which is regularly monitored by the candidate together with the supervisory team and adjusted if necessary.
• At the center of the program is the doctoral colloquium, where doctoral candidates discuss their work in progress with peers and professors from the Class of Language.

Admission requirements

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

• University degree graded as above average (Master of Arts (“with thesis”), Magister Artium, diploma, state board examination, Maîtrise, Laurea, ect.) with a major in one of the following program subjects: General Linguistics and Language Typology, Theoretical Linguistics, Phonetics, Psycholinguistics, English Linguistics, Romance Linguistics, Slavic Linguistics, German as a foreign language, German Linguistics, Comparative and Indo-European Linguistics, Finno-Ugric / Uralic Studies, Albanian Studies, Cognitive and Cultural Linguistics, or comparable degrees
• The grade of final thesis must not fall below a 2,50. The same requirement applies to the overall grade (verification needed).
• Working knowledge in European academic languages (ideally three, at least two, one of them must be German; knowledge of a non-European academic language is an asset)
• Willingness to actively participate in a structured doctoral program

Fees and funding

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

• International (Non-residents): Free
• EU/EEA (EU/EEA Nationals): Free

There are no tuition fees for doctoral studies, only a semester fee of 152,30 €.

Living costs

München, Germany: 1,744–2,733 AUD / month. The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding — Scholarships

Below you will find PhD’s scholarship opportunities for Language.

Available Scholarships — you are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider:

• SIST LMU Equality Scholarship — Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, München, Germany. Grant 850 EUR. Deadline 22 Oct 2027. Need-based.
• Fulbright U.S. Student Program — U.S. government. Grant: Various benefits. Deadline 07 Oct 2026.
• Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) • DAAD — German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Grant 1400 EUR. Deadline: Not specified. Merit-based.
• Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility — OeAD, Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation. Grant: Various benefits. Deadline: Not specified. Merit-based.
• ServiceScape Scholarship — ServiceScape. Grant 1000 USD. Deadline 30 Nov 2026.
• ACES Scholarships — ACES Education Fund. Grant 3500 USD. Deadline 15 Nov 2026.
• ELES-Scholarship (Ernst-Ludwig-Ehrlich-Studienwerk) — Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation. Grant 1550 EUR. Deadline 31 Oct 2026.
• DAAD-NRF Joint Scholarship Programme South Africa — DAAD. Grant 80 ZAR. Deadline: Not specified.
• DAAD-ACEH Scholarship of Excellence — DAAD. Grant 1000 EUR. Deadline: Not specified.
• Amberscholar Scholarship — Amber Scholar. Grant 6000 USD. Deadline 31 Jan 2027. Merit-based.
• $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship — IvyPanda. Grant 1000 USD. Deadline 31 Oct 2026. Merit-based.
• Karl Schmidt Rottluff Scholarship — Studienstiftung. Grant 1200 EUR. Deadline: Not specified. Merit-based.
• Voice Talent Online Scholarship — Voice Talent Online. Grant 1000 USD. Deadline 01 Mar 2027.
• Dream Chaser Scholarship — Salvado Law. Grant 1000 USD. Deadline 13 Jan 2027. Merit-based.
• Scholarship for students with disabilities — Anonymous Hope Fund. Grant 3000 USD. Deadline 31 Dec 2026. Need-based.
• Grants of the Leopold Figl Foundation for students with residence in Lower Austria — Leopold Figl Foundation. Grant: Various benefits. Deadline 31 Dec 2026. Need-based.
• Scholarship of the German National Academic Foundation — Campus France. Grant 649 EUR. Deadline 31 Dec 2026. Merit-based.
• The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship — IELTS from 6 to 9. Grant 1500 USD. Deadline: Not specified.
• Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme — The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme. Grant 12000 USD. Deadline 11 Jan 2027.