A-Z

About the project

Postgraduate research

Applied Linguistics PhD

Our Online Application Form and Applicant Self Service will be unavailable from 08:00-14:00 (GMT) on Thursday 29 October for essential maintenance. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

• PhD: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time; Thesis of 70,000-100,000 words

Application deadlines

We aim to communicate an outcome on applications within three working weeks of each deadline.

• 6 November 2026
• 22 January 2027
• 23 April 2027
• 18 June 2027

Our PhD

A PhD in applied linguistics at the University of Glasgow will support students in the development of their theoretical and empirical skills, so that they are well-placed to make an original contribution to this dynamic field.

Suitable candidates are those who are eager to explore a range of language issues as they pertain and are applied to real-world settings, for example in domains such as education, workplace settings, and the media. Students are guided by leading experts in cutting-edge sub-disciplines within Applied Linguistics, spanning Systemic Functional Linguistics, Critical Discourse Analysis, forensic linguistics, multilingualism, language and identity, and language education in tertiary settings.

PhD students benefit from the interdisciplinary nature of the expertise and practice represented by the supervisory team, developing skills and understanding not only within Applied Linguistics, but being able to complement this with knowledge in the wider field of English Language and Linguistics as well as academic domains such as Education, Modern Languages (including Translation Studies), Cultural Studies and Media. Undertaking a PhD programme in Applied Linguistics also offers students the chance to engage with scholarship in the field from a wide variety of researchers in institutions across the world, through our Applied Linguistics-focused research seminars as well as the broader English Language and Linguistics series, which our PGR students are also welcome to attend.

We particularly welcome prospective PhD topics in the following areas:

• Language and education (with a specific focus on linguistic perspectives on the internationalisation of higher education; language learning and teaching in tertiary contexts; language learning motivation, attitudes and identity)
• Professional and institutional discourse (with a specific focus on legal contexts, and analysis of spoken discourse)
• Multilingualism (with a specific focus on social approaches to multilingualism; language and migration; language and globalisation; attitudes and identity)
• Critical discourse analysis (with a specific focus on language and gender or political discourse)
• Linguistic landscape research (with a specific focus on minoritised languages)
• …and any applications of semantic, corpus or sociolinguistic theory

Why University of Glasgow?

The University of Glasgow’s strengths include:

• Research : top five in the UK for research funding per academic​
• Student experience : regularly in top four in the UK and the world​
• Internationalisation : Students from 140+ countries worldwide​
• Knowledge exchange : hosts two​ of Scotland’s Innovation Centres​
• Accessibility : number one Scottish ancient university for widening participation

Top tips for preparing your PhD application

Developing your PhD proposal and making an application Please be sure to watch this short video before applying. It offers good-practice guidelines for contacting a supervisor and developing your research proposal

PhD

A Doctor of Philosophy may be awarded to a student whose thesis is an original work making a significant contribution to knowledge in, or understanding of, a field of study and normally containing material worthy of publication.

• Duration: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time
• Thesis length: 70,000-100,000 words, including references, bibliography and appendices (other than documentary appendices).

MLitt (Research)

Our Degree of Master of Letters (Research) requires you to undertake a postgraduate course of special study and research that represents a distinct contribution to knowledge.

• Duration: 2 years full-time; 3 years part-time
• Thesis length: 40,000-70,000 words (including references, bibliography and appendices).

MPhil (Research)

A Master of Philosophy (Research) requires you to undertake a postgraduate course of special study and research that represents a distinct contribution to knowledge.

• Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
• Thesis length: 30,000-40,000 words (including references and bibliography).

MRes

Our Master of Research includes both taught and research elements. You will be required to undertake 60 to 80 credits worth of taught courses as well as independent study which represents some contribution to knowledge.

• Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
• Thesis length: 20,000-30,000 words (including references, bibliography and appendices).

Distance Learning

It may be possible to undertake a postgraduate research degree (with the exception of MRes) in the College of Arts and Humanities by distance learning. If you wish to explore this option, you should discuss it initially with your proposed supervisor.

• Postgraduate research by distance learning

Entry requirements

Our regular standard of admission is usually a 2.1 honours degree. Candidates will also usually be expected to have completed or be undertaking a Master’s qualification.

Required documents Applicants should submit: Academic Transcripts and Degree Certificate CV Research Proposal Two References Named Supervisor Information If you are applying for a Distance Learning programme, please complete the Distance Learning Form

Required documents

Candidates are required to provide an outline of the proposed research subject in about 2000 words. This should be discussed with a potential supervisor prior to making your formal application. Contact:

Applications without the previous support of an Applied Linguistics supervisor will be rejected.

• Academic Transcripts and Degree Certificate
• CV
• Research Proposal
• Two References
• Named Supervisor Information
• If you are applying for a Distance Learning programme, please complete the Distance Learning Form
• Prof. Tom Bartlett (tom.bartlett@glasgow.ac.uk)
• Dr Angela Gayton (angela.gayton@glasgow.ac.uk)
• Dr Piotr Węgorowski (piotr.wegorowski@glasgow.ac.uk)

English language requirements

For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government , the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

Accepted English language tests

We accept a wide range of English language tests for entry to this programme. Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date, and requirements must be met using a single test.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

• 7.0 overall with no subtest less than 6.5
• IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
• We do not accept General Training

TOEFL iBT (Including MyBest and Home Edition)

Tests taken up to 20 January 2026

Tests taken from 21 January 2026

• 96 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 23; Listening 23; Speaking 23; Writing 24
• 98 overall with no subtest less than Writing and Listening at 5 and Reading and Speaking at 4.5

Pearsons PTE Academic (test centre only)

• 70 overall with no subtest less than Reading 62; Listening 62; Speaking 75; Writing 68
• We do not accept the online PTE Academic

Cambridge C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency

• 185 overall, no subtest less than 176

Oxford ELLT

• 8 overall with Reading and Listening no less than 7 and Writing and Speaking no less than 8

LanguageCert Academic SELT/Academic/Academic Online

• 75 overall with two subtests at 75 and no subtest less than 70

Password Skills Plus

• 7.0 overall with no subtest less than 6.5

Trinity College Integrated Skills in English II

• 105 overall with no subtest less than 105

Kaplan Test of English

• Any two subtests at 510 or higher, and any two subtests at 480 or higher

PSI Skills for English

• C1 Pass

Duolingo English Test

• 130 overall with Writing at 130 and no subtest less than 120

Oxford Test of English Advanced

• 146 overall with no subtest less than 136

Alternatives to English language qualification

Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)

TNE degree for UK University taught at a campus outside of the UK.

• Students must have studied for a minimum of their final year at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within 6 years of programme start.
• Students must be awarded the degree by the UK university and must have completed the degree within 6 years of programme start.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:

For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

• direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
• essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
• flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.
• Pre-sessional courses
• Heriot Watt
• Kingston Upon Thames
• Middlesex University
• Manchester University
• Reading University
• Edinburgh University
• ST Andrews University
• UCL
• Durham

2027/28

Prices are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Fees for part-time study are half the full-time fee.

Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.

• UK: To be confirmed [26/27 fee was £5,238]
• International & EU: £28,275
• Fee status and policies

Alumni discount

We offer a 15% tuition fee discount to eligible self-funded alumni starting a Postgraduate Taught (PGT) Masters or Postgraduate Research (PGR) programme in the 2027/28 academic year.

This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme, Exchange programme, International Summer School or Erasmus programme with us. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships. No additional application is required.

• Full details of our Alumni Discount

Possible additional fees

Depending on the nature of the research project, some students will be expected to pay a bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs. The exact amount will be provided in the offer letter.

• Re-submission by a research student £540
• Submission for a higher degree by published work £1,355
• Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed £350
• Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship £790

Support

Teaching and research in the Arts and Humanities is supported by the outstanding resources of our University Library with its special collections and our on-campus Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery .

Our close links and partnerships with Glasgow Life , and the city’s many museums, art galleries, performing arts and music venues, international festivals and creative industry organisations make the University of Glasgow the ideal place for postgraduate study of the arts.

Graduate School

Our Graduate School creates a productive and interdisciplinary collegiate environment for all of our research students. We offer a range of services, courses and skills development opportunities for research students.

The College of Arts & Humanities is home to a vibrant and diverse community of students enrolled on taught masters and research programmes within a stimulating intellectual and cultural environment. Across every school and subject area the college is home to world-leading and agenda-setting research.

Find out more about what is happening in the community by following us on social media .

You will also be part of the wider Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities , the world's first national graduate school in the Arts & Humanities. Membership includes 16 Scottish universities, four art schools & the national conservatoire, with support from the arts, culture, creative & heritage sectors.

Identify potential supervisors

All Postgraduate Research Students are allocated a supervisor who will act as the main source of academic support and research mentoring. You may want to identify a potential supervisor and contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply. Please note, even if you have spoken to an academic staff member about your proposal you still need to submit an online application form.

You can find relevant academic staff members with our staff research interests search .

Required documents

Our Online Application Form and Applicant Self Service will be unavailable from 08:00-14:00 (GMT) on Thursday 29 October for essential maintenance. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

• Academic Transcripts and Degree Certificate
• CV
• Research Proposal
• Two References
• Named Supervisor Information
• If you are applying for a Distance Learning programme, please complete the Distance Learning Form

Contact us

• If you have any questions about your application before you apply: contact The School of Critical Studies ( Critstudies-PGApplications@glasgow.ac.uk )
• If you have any questions after you have submitted your application: contact our Admissions team
• Any references may be submitted by email to: pg-research-admissions@glasgow.ac.uk

International Students

• Visa and immigration

Our research environment

• Discover how we support and develop postgraduate researchers

Induction

• Getting started with PGR development: how postgraduate researchers are welcomed into our community

Postgraduate researcher blogs

• A community blog, written by and for postgraduate researchers at the University of Glasgow

Research areas