Dr. Heike Behrens

Professor

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Biography

Heike Behrens is a Professor of Cognitive Linguistics and Language Acquisition Research at the Department of German Language and Literature at the University of Basel. Her research focuses on first language acquisition, particularly on morphosyntax, and second language acquisition, both controlled and uncontrolled. She explores cognitive linguistics, linguistic theory development, language typology, and processing, with particular attention to how different domains of space, time, color, and taste are conceptualized and encoded in language. Behrens also conducts research in psycholinguistics regarding linguistic relativity and the evolution of language. Her work covers both early phases of language learning and complex aspects of text and conversation linguistics, investigating roles of input and cognitive linguistic theories such as construction grammar and cognitive semantics.

Research Interests

Cognitive Linguistics Language Acquisition First Language Acquisition Second Language Acquisition Morphosyntax Linguistic Typology Language Processing Psycholinguistics Linguistic Relativity

Requirements for University of Basel

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:22
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:22
Total
Required:95
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with at least 180 ECTS Specific ECTS requirements in core subjects (e.g., 90 ECTS in Math/CS for Data Science)
Application Checklist
  • Bachelor's degree certificate or current transcript of records
  • Diploma Supplement (if available)
  • CV/Resume
  • Copy of valid passport or ID card
  • Evidence of language proficiency (C1 level recommended for English/German programs)
  • Proof of payment of application fee (CHF 100)
Specialization Notes

The University of Basel generally requires C1 level proficiency in the language of instruction. For most English-taught Masters, TOEFL (min 92-95) or IELTS (min 7.0) is the standard.