Overview
Take your PhD with one of the best Linguistics departments in the world. We are ranked 3rd in the world for Linguistics in the QS World Rankings 2024.
This PhD programme understands Applied Linguistics as research into language with a relevance to real-world issues and proposals are accepted in a wide range of topics. By combining your PhD studies with a set of taught modules, this programme is designed to broaden your knowledge of relevant research and research methodologies. Many of our students are professionals who are balancing PhD studies with full-time careers, and this contributes to the rich and stimulating academic environment this programme offers.
The programme is designed for you to simultaneously complete your coursework and develop your thesis. In your first year of study you will complete compulsory modules in research methodology and in applied linguistics that are taught by distance. In addition, you have the opportunity to take additional modules from the department’s MA programmes and the Faculty’s Research Training Programme with a choice of modules either on-campus or by distance.
One of the strengths of this programme is the flexibility it allows in pursuing your PhD – you have the choice to either study on campus in Lancaster, or from home. You may study full-time or part-time but have the option to switch at any point during your studies. The compulsory modules in research methodology and linguistics are taught online, while for MA modules there is a choice of both on-site and distance learning available.
Regardless whether you study in Lancaster or from home, you must attend two intensive residentials at Lancaster University in the first two years of your studies. During this time you will have the opportunity to complete a portion of the coursework, participate in a graduate student conference, and engage in a range of professional and academic development activities such as sessions on academic writing, presentation skills, and career development as well as attend workshops offered by the university library.
KEY FACTS
- Option to study full time (36 months) or part time (60 months)
- Study on campus in Lancaster or off-campus from home
- 4 compulsory study modules – 2 in research methods and 2 in applied linguistics
- Opportunity to take additional modules from the department’s MA programmes
- 2 intensive residentials at the department in Lancaster
Entry requirements
Academic Requirements
Master's degree (UK or equivalent) in Applied Linguistics or a related subject, for example Linguistics, Foreign Languages, Education, with an overall average of at least 60% for UK MAs.
2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in Applied Linguistics or a related subject, for example Linguistics, Foreign Languages, Education.
If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.
Additional Requirements
As part of your application you also need to complete the 'PhD in Linguistics by Thesis and Coursework Proposal Form'. A copy of the form and guidance notes can be found on the Research Proposal section of our PhD study webpage.
English Language Requirements
We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.
We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.5 in reading and writing and 6.0 in listening and speaking. We also consider other English language qualifications.
We do not offer pre-sessional English language programmes for this programme.
Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk
Pre-master’s programmes
Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored pre-master’s pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University master’s degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.
Fees and funding
The tuition fee for students with home fee status is set in line with the standard fee stipend provided by the UK Research Councils. The fee stipend for 2025/26 has not yet been set. For reference, the fee stipend for 2024/25 was full-time £4,786 and part-time £2,393.
The international fee for new entrants in 2025/26 is full-time £21,920 and part-time £10,960.
Additional fees and funding information accordion
There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.
Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.
College fees
Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small College Membership Fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.
For students starting in 2025, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses.
Computer equipment and internet access
To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.
The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.
For most taught postgraduate applications there is a non-refundable application fee of £40. We cannot consider applications until this fee has been paid, as advised on our online secure payment system. There is no application fee for postgraduate research applications.
For some of our courses you will need to pay a deposit to accept your offer and secure your place. We will let you know in your offer letter if a deposit is required and you will be given a deadline date when this is due to be paid.
The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.
If you are studying on a programme of more than one year’s duration, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are not fixed for the duration of your studies. Read more about fees in subsequent years.
Scholarships and bursaries
You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.
Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.
If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities.
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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.
Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.
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Linguistics and TESOL
- Applied Linguistics and TESOL MA
- Corpus Linguistics (Distance) MA
- Corpus Linguistics (Distance) PgCert
- Discourse Studies MA
- Forensic Linguistics and Speech Science MSc
- Intercultural Business Communication MA
- Language and Linguistics MA
- Language Testing (Distance) MA
- Language Testing (Distance) PgCert
- Linguistics PhD
- TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) (Distance) PgCert
- TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) with Corpus Linguistics (Distance) MA
- TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) with Language Testing (Distance) MA
Important Information
The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.
The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.
More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.
Our Students’ Charter
We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.
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