One of them is the newly introduced joint-degree Master programmes in Lithuania is the Sociolinguistics and Multilingualism (SoMu), offered by Vytautas Magnus University (Kaunas, Lithuania), Johannes Gutenberg University (Mainz, Germany), Stockholm University (Sweden), and the University of Tartu (Estonia). Among the existing MA programmes in sociolinguistics, this program is unique in regard to:

• its language focus (students acquire competences in two internationally popular languages and at least two lesser-used and taught languages);
• its geographical focus on the entire Nordic and Baltic-Sea region (there is no linguistic MA programme which would cover such a wide range of languages spoken around the Baltic-Sea);
• its focus on multilingualism in a wide sense (rather than on language policy and planning issues concerning just one European minority population or country);
• its in-built mobility (studying abroad is compulsory, and equally long study periods in three universities in three different countries are required).

SoMu familiarizes students with the general key theories and methods of sociolinguistics and offers a new and wider perspective and understanding of multilingualism as the parallel use of national, minority and migrant languages alongside one or more international vehicular language(s). The programme is focused not only on linguistic issues but it also considers cultural, political, and social context. The first semester is spent at Vytautas Magnus University, for the second semester the students go to Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, while they can choose studies in Stokholm University or the University of Tartu for the third semester. Master thesis is written at the university of the main supervisor.

Applications for autumn semester, 2014 are due on June 30, 2014 for students from both EU and non-EU countries. The application form and more detailed information about the necessary documents can be found online at somu.vdu.lt.
For more information about the programme please contact Vytautas Magnus University somu@hmf.vdu.lt or Facebook facebook.com/somu.vdu .