MA in Semiotics
University of Tartu
Key Information
Select location
Campus location
Tartu, Estonia
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 4,000 / per year
Application deadline
Request Info
Earliest start date
Sep 2024
Introduction
Semiotics is a 2-year Master’s program that provides interdisciplinary background and gives a theoretical base for application of semiotic ideas to a wide variety of disciplines and scientific study. Semiotics is the general study of sign processes or semiosis. The program binds together the theory of semiotics and three core modules – cultural semiotics, biosemiotics, and socio-semiotics.
Why study Semiotics at the University of Tartu?
- The tradition of excellence in semiotic theory in Tartu was established by Juri Lotman, the founder of the semiotics of culture and the Tartu-Moscow Semiotic School, as well as the oldest journal of semiotics, Sign Systems Studies.
- The Department of Semiotics is one of the most important centres of semiotics in Europe, with deep roots for cultural semiotics and biosemiotics. UT is one of the few institutions in the world teaching full master’s and doctoral degree programmes in semiotics.
- UT collaborates and is regularly visited by professors from all over the world.
- The finest collections of semiotic materials in Tartu include the memorial library of Thomas Sebeok and the Centre of Jakob von Uexküll.
Admissions
Curriculum
The programme in Semiotics provides interdisciplinary background and gives a theoretical base for applying 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.
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 dimensions, challenges us to understand the need of individuals and societies for defining their identity. Semiotics is centrally relevant to achieve this understanding.
The Department of Semiotics at the University of Tartu is one of the most important centres of semiotics in Europe, with deep roots for cultural semiotics and biosemiotics. Jakob von Uexküll and Juri Lotman, founder of world-renowned Tartu-Moscow Semiotics School, form the cornerstone of the Department of Semiotics at the University of Tartu. The Department of Semiotics also holds the memorial library of Thomas A. Sebeok, which was received as a donation.
The curriculum consists of:
- basic courses (30 ECTS)
- specialised courses (36-54 ECTS): Semiotics of Culture, Biosemiotics, Sociosemiotics
- elective courses (0-18 ECTS)
- optional courses (6 ECTS)
- master's thesis (30 ECTS)
Examples of courses:
- Methodology of Semiotic Analysis
- Tartu-Moscow Semiotic School
- History of Semiotics: Basic Concepts and Classical Works
- Zoosemiotics: Umwelt and Animal Communication
- Semiotic Analysis of Subcultures
- Semiotics of Translation
- Ecosemiotics: Cultural Interpretations of Environment
Rankings
The University of Tartu belongs to the top 1.2% of the world's universities.
Scholarships and Funding
There is 1 tuition waiver available for citizens of EU/EEA/Switzerland, 4 for non-EU citizens.
Program Tuition Fee
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Ideal Students
Audience
All students who have a Bachelor's degree in social sciences, natural sciences or humanities are welcome to apply.
Career Opportunities
Career prospects:
- Graduates can apply their expertise in the professions that require 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;
- Program graduates can continue on to doctoral studies and research.
- After graduation, you can work in semiotic consulting companies, marketing, media, translation, design and architecture, international organisations or continue studies on a doctoral level.