Master of Arts in Humanities - Semiotics
The 2-year Master’s programme in Semiotics provides interdisciplinary background and gives a theoretical base for application of semiotic ideas to a wide variety of disciplines and scientific study. The programme binds together the theory of semiotics and three core modules - cultural semiotics, biosemiotics and sociosemiotics. The programme also combines the major semiotic traditions of Ferdinand de Saussure and Charles S. Peirce with the leading contemporary and innovative thought
What is semiotics?
Why study semiotics in Tartu?
General admission requirements
Application process, documents, deadline
Important information for non-EU applicants
Announcement of admissions results
Curriculum structure and courses
Language of instruction
Programme duration
Tuition fees and scholarships
To get more information
What is semiotics?
Semiotics is the general study of sign processes, or semiosis. Semiosis makes the world meaningful.
Today’s world, where processes have a disbalance of global and local dimension, challenges us to understand the need of individuals and societies for defining their identity. Semiotics is centrally relevant to achieve this understanding.
Why study semiotics in Tartu?
- The tradition of excellence in semiotic theory in Tartu was established by Juri Lotman in 1960s, the founder of semiotics of culture and the Tartu-Moscow Semiotic School, as well as the oldest journal of semiotics, Sign Systems Studies.
- The University of Tartu is one the few institutions in the world teaching full Master’s and PhD degree programs in semiotics since 1993.
- As one of world’s major centres of semiotics, the University of Tartu collaborates and is regularly visited by professors from all around the world: Myrdene Anderson, Paul Bouissac, John Deely, Dinda Gorlee, Jesper Hoffmeyer, Winfried Nöth, Roland Posner, Frederik Stjernfelt, Eero Tarasti, and many others.
- The finest collections of semiotic materials in Tartu include the memorial library of Thomas Sebeok, one of the world leaders in the 20th century semiotics, and the Centre of Jakob von Uexküll, a Baltic German whose works have been very important to the development of biosemiotics.
Excellent international career prospects
- Graduates can apply their expertise in the professions that require a complex knowledge of cultural analysis, i.e. semiotic consulting companies, marketing or media.
- Practical applications of semiotics include translation and science writing, design and architecture, advertising, and communication strategies.
- Employees of international organizations, e.g. embassies, where tolerance and conflict management skills are vital, can improve their professional education.
- Programme graduates can continue on to doctoral studies and research. Semiotics is particularly relevant to advanced study in the life sciences, where biosemiotic understanding and semiotical interpretation is proving to be of remarkable value
General admission requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, natural sciences or humanities.
- English language requirements
Application process for international candidates:
- Submit the online application. You will receive an applicant code, which gives access to your account to track your application status. We ask you to upload the electronic copies of all the required documents to your application. This makes the pre-processing of your application quicker and is especially important for candidates applying to more than one programme.
- Mail the printed and signed application (do not send any documents by e-mail) with all the required documents by the indicated deadline to: International Student Service, University of Tartu, Ülikooli 18, Tartu 50090, ESTONIA.
Application process for Estonian candidates:
See the Estonian-language page of the programme.
Documents to be submitted:
- online application
- motivation letter - guidelines and evaluation criteria are included in the online application form
- official copy of the Bachelor's diploma or its equivalent and Diploma Supplement (transcript/mark sheet) in the original language*
- official translation of the Bachelor’s diploma and Diploma Supplement (transcript/mark sheet) into English, translation certified
- proof of English language proficiency
- copy of the passport page stating the applicant’s personal particulars
*Please note that in order to be considered official, all academic transcripts must bear a seal, and a signature of an authorized official. Official documents must be provided from the institution awarding the degree. Documents sent with an Apostille are official. Some country-specific requirements also specify the way documents must be certifed
NB! Applicants graduating in 2013 and having their diplomas issued later than application deadlines (in July, for example), please send an application form and the most recent official Transcript of Records by the required deadline. Inform the International Student Service when the final diploma will be issued. For detailed information contact the Service.
Only complete applications will be considered by the Admission Commission.
Application deadline: April 16
Important information for non-EU applicants
- Country specific requirements
- Residence permit issues: please find more information about the application process for the residence permit.
Announcement of admissions results
The university`s Admissions Commission will announce final admissions results, including info on tuition waiver scholarships by 3 June. Admission notifications are sent by e-mail. All admitted students must inform the university of their decision to accept or cancel admission offer by 10 June.
Please note that the decision regarding admission can only be taken if all required documents have been sent to the university!
Curriculum structure:
General module 30 ECTS
- History of Semiotics: Basic Concepts and Classical Works
- Tartu-Moscow Semiotic School
- Readings of J. von Uexküll and J. Lotman
- Methodology of Semiotic Analysis
- Master’s Seminar
Specialty module 54 ECTS
1. Culture module (18 ECTS):
- Cultural Semiotics and Theories of Culture
- Semiotics of Art
- Semiotics of Translation
- Semiotic Analysis of Performance and Multimediality
2. Nature module (18 ECTS):
- Biosemiotics
- Ecosemiotics: Cultural Interpretations of Nature
- Zoosemiotics: Umwelt and Animal Communication
- Landscape Semiotics
3. Society module (18 ECTS):
- Sociosemiotics and Societal Theories
- Ideology and the Concept of Identity
- Models of Communication and Mass Media
- Semiotic Analysis of Subcultures
Elective courses (6 ECTS)] Can be chosen from courses currently available at the University of Tartu.
Master’s thesis (30 ECTS)] Individual research paper, written under the supervision of a professional semiotician.
TOTAL 120 ECTS
Language of instruction:
English
Programme duration:
2 years, including three semesters of study, one semester writing the Master’s thesis
Tuition fees and scholarships:
Programme fee, 3520 euros, covers tuition, some study materials, supervision and advising of thesis preparation. In 2013, all admitted students will be offered the tuition-waiver scholarship. Students receiving this scholarship do not have to pay the tuition fee if they complete a full-time study load (30 ECTS per semester). Those who do not complete full-time study load per semester have to pay tuition fee per missing credit point below the required 30 ECTS. Price per credit point is 59 euros. Further information on when you have to start paying the tuition fee.
There is also a possibility to be granted a monthly stipend of the programme "DoRa 9"
Get more information:
Department of Semiotics www.ut.ee/semiotics
Address for inquiries:
Ms Katre Väli
Department of Semiotics
University of Tartu
Jakobi 2, 51014 Tartu, Estonia,
Telephone +(372) 737 5933
katre [dot] vali [ät] ut [dot] ee
Skype katrevalisem
International Student Service
University of Tartu
Ülikooli 18, 50090 Tartu, Estonia
Telephone +(372) 737 6109
www.ut.ee/ask
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