About Linguistics and English Language Integrated, PhD - at Newcastle University

Our Linguistics and English Language Integrated PhD (IPhD) combines taught modules with original research. You will develop knowledge and expertise in linguistics and English language. You will also gain detailed knowledge and experience of research methods and research management.

The course is for those who haven't completed a programme that leads to PhD study. It will suit those with a background in linguistics, English Language or related disciplines. You'll strengthen your knowledge base and research skills before embarking on writing a thesis.

Studying for an IPhD at Newcastle University offers many benefits and advantages, including:

• a track record in student satisfaction
• diverse staff expertise
• activities and events
• career development
• funding opportunities.

Year one forms the taught element of the course. You will study compulsory and optional modules and select a specialist pathway. You will then complete a 60 credit independent research project (15,000 words).

Years two, three and four constitute the research based element of the course. You will write a 80,000 word thesis under the guidance and direction of two supervisors.

Pathways

We offer three pathways, with supervision in the following areas:

Language acquisition, development and evolution

• first language acquisition and development
• acquisition of second language morphosyntax and phonology
• evolutionary linguistics.

Language variation and change

• historical/diachronic linguistics
• variationist/comparative linguistics
• sociolinguistics
• grammaticalization
• dialect syntax
• corpus analysis
• linguistic typology.

Formal linguistics

• syntactic theory and comparative syntax
• phonological theory
• morphophonology and morphosyntax
• philosophy of language and linguistics
• architecture of the language faculty.

Research

We are one of the largest centres for linguistic research in Europe. This gives you the opportunity to enrich your research. You'll gain exposure to a wide range of methodologies and diverse theoretical perspectives.

Our Centre for Research in Linguistics and Language Sciences (CRiLLS) offers training that complements the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Research Training Programme. Your training is organised by a postgraduate researcher and academic staff to ensure that your training needs are met. Sessions include:

• writing conference abstracts
• presenting at conferences
• preparing job applications and interviews
• practical workshops on specific software programs (eg statistical packages, corpus linguistic methodologies).

Prof Anders Holmberg won the University student-led award for Best Research Supervisor of the Year in 2013 and 2015.

Dr Heike Pichler and Dr William van der Wurff also made the shortlist for this award in 2015.

Internationally renowned linguistic researchers are regularly invited to give guest lectures, recent speakers include:

• Professor Ellen Bialystok, York University, Toronto
• Professor J K Chambers, University of Toronto
• Professor David Pesetsky, MIT
• Professor Elizabeth Closs Traugott, Stanford University.

You can join our Special Interest Groups in linguistics, which usually meet every two to four weeks. Postgraduate researchers and academic staff gather to:

• share ideas
• develop new skills
• get feedback on their work
• deliver presentations
• attend practical sessions on linguistic software.

Current Special Interest Groups include:

• language variation and change
• theoretical phonology
• corpus linguistics
• syntax
• language and cognition.

Additionally, our Student Work in Progress meetings give you the opportunity to present your work to a student audience, giving you instant feedback and discussions around your research.

Our recent graduates have gone into a variety of careers, including:

• academia
• education
• publishing
• university administration.

Delivery

In year one you take compulsory and optional 12 week modules. Between mid-May and early September of year one, you will also work on a 15,000 word research project.

The course is delivered at our Newcastle city centre campus. During the research phase of the course you can request a temporary change in study location. This is to allow for fieldwork and data collection.

Work experience

You can gain valuable experience in journal editing and conference organisation through joining:

• the editorial team of the annually published Newcastle and Northumbria Working Papers in Linguistics
• the organising team of the annual Postgraduate Conference in Applied and Theoretical Linguistics.

Facilities

The School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics is a lively and diverse community with over 700 undergraduates and 200 postgraduates.

We are based in the Percy Building where the majority of your seminars and tutorials will take place. Our purpose-built postgraduate suite includes several dedicated computer clusters, meeting rooms, a kitchen and lounge area.

Linguistics postgraduates also benefit from a dedicated space reserved for members of the Centre for Research in Linguistics and Language Sciences. This space provides a range of resources, including access to linguistics software (eg Childes, Clan, Elan, Praat), linguistic corpora (eg DECTE, ICE, ICAME), and specialised equipment such as the eye tracker.

You also have access to the award-winning Robinson Library, which has an extensive audio-visual collection.

See Programme information online for full details on How to Apply.

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Entry requirements for this course

Contact Newcastle University to find course entry requirements.

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