Linguistics

Overview

Why choose this programme

Most of the research in the Linguistics programme at the University of Surrey focuses on the consequences of linguistic diversity. Our postgraduate research looks at the grammatical structure of languages and the ways in which language-related research can have practical applications, with applied linguistics research considering topics such as:

• multiculturalism and mobility 

• multilingual practices in business and educational contexts 

• intercultural pragmatics 

• second and foreign language learning and teaching 

• lexicography and corpus linguistics.  

We’re also home to the Surrey Morphology Group, a linguistics research centre that focuses on theoretical morphology, morphological interfaces, linguistic typology, and documenting and describing languages.

We’ve been awarded over £2m in external funding since 2012, with funding coming from the European Research Council, the Economic and Social Research Council, the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the British Academy and the Leverhulme Trust, among others. We’re part of several externally funded doctoral training partnerships, and you might be able to benefit from a studentship from us if you’re suitably qualified.

What you will study

It normally takes three years of full-time study or six years of part-time study to complete our PhD in Linguistics. You’ll take a confirmation viva at 12-15 months (or 24-30 months part-time) and then be assessed by a thesis and viva examination.

You’ll be assigned two supervisors, who you’ll meet with monthly to discuss your progress. Your supervisors will guide you through your PhD, and will give you feedback and advice on your work.

As a doctoral student in the School of Literatures and Languages, you’ll receive a structured training programme covering the practical aspects of being a researcher, including grant writing, publishing in journals, and applying for academic jobs.