Applied Linguistics

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have a good honours degree or a master's degree (MA, MSc or MEd) in a relevant discipline (eg MA degree in Applied Linguistics, Psychology, English, English for Academic Purposes, Education, Modern Languages, Linguistics) although candidates with other evidence of ability to succeed at PhD level will also be considered.

Months of entry

January, April, July, October

Course content

The PhD in Applied Linguistics is designed to enhance specialised linguistic knowledge through academic study and research.

The programme is suitable for all those interested in exploring how linguistic knowledge can be applied to everyday real-life phenomena such as language learning, language policy or language processing.

The course emphasises state-of-the-art research methodology appropriate for conducting linguistic research projects, using a wide range of linguistic research methods.

We are interested in hearing from students doing projects that link linguistic research with real-life language use in the following broad areas:

• Second language acquisition
• Language learning
• Discourse studies and discourse analysis
• Psycholinguistics
• Syntax
• Semantics
• Phonology
• Lexis
• Sociolinguistics
• Language policy
• Language for specific purposes (e.g. academic, professional)
• Forensic linguistics
• Corpus linguistics

The PhD in Applied Linguistics is available to be studied in 3 modes: part-time, full-time, and distance learning.

Information for international students

If English is not your first language, we do expect you to be able to demonstrate a high level of proficiency. The minimum requirement for PhD in Applied Linguistics is IELTS 7.0 with 6.5 in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. For further information please see English language requirements.