English Language and Applied Linguistics PhD / MA

We offer research supervision in a variety of fields in English Language and Applied Linguistics. These include: corpus linguistics, cognitive linguistics and psycholinguistics, and stylistics and discourse analysis.

Specific research interests include second language acquisition, sign language and gesture, figurative language and quantitative linguistics.

You'll conduct research at a world top 50 department for Linguistics (QS World University Rankings 2024). Our expertise covers Corpus Research, Cognitive Linguistics and Psycholinguistics, and Discourse Analysis and Stylistics. 

Course structure

We offer a standard PhD programme (on campus or by distance learning) and a modular PhD programme (distance learning only). This modular programme offers you more flexibility as a researcher and the option to break down the PhD into three stages. We also offer an MA by research option.

It usually takes three years (full-time) or six years (part-time) to complete a PhD, while the normal length of an MA by Research is either one year (full-time) or two years (part-time).

The Standard PhD (on campus or by distance learning)

The Distance Modular PhD

This is made up of separate research papers which are individually assessed. The work is examined in three phases, at the end of each module.

This offers you an incremental, continuously assessed route. You'll progress through explicitly marked stages to a PhD.

You'll identify a topic you want to work on. All of your written work should be related to this topic. However, the nature of the assessment means the topic need not be as tightly focused as a traditional PhD.

Whether you come to Birmingham or opt for distance learning, you'll keep in contact with your supervisors by email, on campus or via video call. 

• Flexible research options: choose the standard PhD on campus or by distance learning, or a modular programme by distance learning.
• Access the Linguistics Research Laboratory, a 450 million word Bank of English corpus, plus electronic journals and e-books.
• Academic expertise across a range of English Language and Applied Linguistics specialisms.

Resources 

You'll have access to excellent resources including our 450 million word Bank of English corpus and our Linguistics Research Laboratory where you can collect any empirical data you need for your research. Our equipment includes: Eye-tracking tools, ePrime for reaction time studies, Qualtrics for rating studies and surveys, and audio / video recording devices. 

The standard PhD programme is available on campus or by distance learning full-time or part-time. The distance modular PhD programme is only available part-time by distance learning.

The MA by Research is only available on campus, full-time or part-time. 

You can choose a standard PhD programme (on campus or distance learning) with a traditional 80,000-word thesis. or a distance modular PhD made up of separate research papers which are individually assessed.

If you choose the distance modular PhD, you’ll complete a 12,000 word research paper in Module 1, a 20,000 word research paper in Module 2 and a 50,000 final thesis in Module 3.

• There are no formal lectures or seminars in a PhD or MA by Research. Instead, you’ll undertake research under the expert guidance of a primary supervisor, co-supervisor and mentor, supported by complementary research training.
• If you choose the distance modular PhD programme, you’ll follow online research training modules. You'll receive the same level of support as campus PhD researchers and keep in contact with your supervisors by email or video call.
• Your supervisory team will meet with you at regular intervals throughout your programme to offer guidance on how best to approach, implement and report on your research.
• You’re expected to take full responsibility for your work, developing your own timetable for your research project so you can successfully complete your it on time.

Explore our research themes:

For MRes and MA by Research programmes, we usually require a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK, usually in a relevant area.

If you’re applying for a PhD , you’ll also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area.

Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements.

If you’re applying for distance learning research programmes, you’ll also need to show that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study by distance learning.

You'll normally need to submit a research proposal. The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes. See the Application Process section for more information.  

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

* For UK postgraduate research students the University fee level is set at Research Council rates and as such is subject to change. The final fee will be announced by Research Councils UK in spring 2025.

Distance learning PhD:

• Fees for students joining between September 2024 and August 2025 are as follows: £12,330 part-time
• Fees for students joining between September 2025 and August 2026 are as follows: £12,760 part-time

Tuition fees will be payable each year for between four years (minimum registration) and six years (maximum registration). Students who go into Writing Up after four or five years will pay a nominal continuation fee (the same as for the full-time PhD).

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.

The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

Paying your tuition fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.

Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

Funding options

Apply for a PhD that already has funding attached

These are most common in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) subjects, but they can sometimes be available for pre-defined research projects in the arts, humanities or social sciences. These may be advertised as fully funded (with fees and a stipend) or competition funded, meaning the projects compete against other projects at each institution.

Self-fund, or search for funding or a studentship once you have an offer

You devise your own PhD topic, find a supervisor, write a research proposal and apply to the relevant programme. If you’re offered a place at Birmingham, you can then apply for studentships or funding from various sources. Our Postgraduate Scholarships and Funding database lists all available funding.

A limited number of scholarships and studentships may be available to outstanding applicants. For further information, please explore our scholarships and funding database.

Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership

For 2025 entry Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership is offering up to 87 fully funded PhD studentships for eligible students in arts and humanities through an Open Competition and 23 studentships through Collaborative Doctoral Awards (CDA). 

The deadline for AHRC funding applications is 12:00 GMT on 13 January 2025.

Midlands Graduate School ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership 

For 2025 entry Midlands Graduate School ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership offers pathways at the University of Birmingham in:

• Applied Linguistics
• Area Studies
• Cross-disciplinary Methodologies and Advanced Data Analysis
• Economic and Social History
• Living in a Digital Society
• Socio-Legal Studies
• Sustainable Development, Net Zero and Climate Resilience 

The deadline for ESRC funding applications is 12:00 GMT on 21 January 2025.

When proposing your own research topic you’ll need to make sure the department offers the necessary expertise. We ask that you identify an appropriate supervisor before you submit your application and contact them in the first instance to discuss your research proposal. 

If there is a good fit between your proposed research and our research strengths, we’ll be able to give you advice on a draft of your research proposal before you make a formal application.

When contacting a member of our staff, it would be helpful to include the following:

• A draft research proposal or a summary of your research ideas
• Details of university-level qualifications and any relevant professional experience
• Details on how you propose to fund your research

Please contact only one member of staff in the first instance. 

Find a supervisor

A summary of our key research areas, and staff working within those, can be found below.

• Applied linguistics and second language acquisition
• Corpus linguistics
• Discourse and analysis and stylistics
• Sign language and gesture
• Cognitive linguistics and psycholinguistics
• Iconicity and figurative language
• Sociolinguistics and language variation and change
• Quantitative linguistics and data visualisation

Research proposal

The research proposal is a key part of your application, so take your time. Your potential supervisors will use it to decide if your research is something they can support.

Your proposal should be a clear and concise summary of your research. It generally consists of an outline of your proposed research project, including your main research questions and the methods you intend to use.

You should also comment on the potential impact and importance of your intended research and on how your work would interact with current trends in your academic field. It should illustrate the relevance of your topic to the research interests and expertise of the staff within your chosen department. 

The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes. 

Submitting your application 

If you are submitting your own research proposal, applications are accepted all year round. However, if you wish to start in September, we would encourage you to apply by 1 June. Whilst you are still welcome to apply after this date, it is important to allow time for us to review your application.

If you are seeking funding, please be aware that the majority of funding opportunities have deadlines in early spring so we would encourage you to apply as early as possible.

We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

If the programme has a Distance learning option then students will usually attend a residential visit in September or January, and those students wishing to attend the September residential are also encouraged to apply by 1 June 2024. The visit will take place at the end of September/beginning of October and you will receive further details once you have accepted your offer.

If you experience any difficulties with the application process and contacting potential supervisors, please contact us via the "Ask us a question" form above.

When you're ready, return to this page and begin your application by clicking APPLY NOW

Careers Network

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one to one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters.

As a postgraduate researcher, you’ll benefit from tailored support to prepare you for a career in academia or set you up for a wide range of other professions.

We also offer subject specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.