PhD in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics (MLAL212)
The Nature of the PhD Degree
In British universities the PhD ('Doctorate of Philosophy') is traditionally awarded solely on the basis of a dissertation, a substantial piece of writing which reports original research into a closely defined area of听enquiry. Candidates for the PhD in 澳门六合彩开奖记录 are guided by a Supervisor, though they will normally also discuss their work with a number of other experts in their field. The nature of the work depends on topic. Within linguistics, some PhD students may do most of their work in libraries, or spend part of their time collecting and听analysing听data, or carry out experiments in the听听or psycholinguistics laboratory. The dissertation must make a significant contribution to learning, for example through the discovery of new knowledge, the connection of previously unrelated facts, the development of new theory or the revision of older views. The completion of a PhD dissertation is typically expected to take three to four years full-time, or five to seven years part-time.
PhD Topics and Supervisors
Students registered for the PhD in the Section听of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics will normally have one of the staff of the Section as Supervisor, though sometimes specialists outside the Section will听fulfill听this role.
Prospective applicants can get an idea of the range of topics which can be supervised from the following lists of people:
- Staff and their Research Interests
- Full Section Staff List
- Members of the Faculty
- Current PhD Students
However, since by doctoral research is by definition original, they should not hesitate to discuss ideas within or across areas of linguistics which are not explicitly represented in these places with the Section.
Please direct any enquiries regarding entry requirements and academic matters to the Postgraduate Secretary in the MMLL听Postgraduate Office: postgraduatestudies@mmll.cam.ac.uk, and any enquiries regarding the technicalities of applying to the .
Applying
Applications must be accompanied by a research proposal of approximately 500 to 1,000 words. This should outline a topic of research which the applicant has chosen, and the method for investigating it.听The research proposal will form the basis of a PhD student's research, but naturally may be modified as the research proceeds.
Candidates are advised to apply听well in advance of听the funding deadlines listed on the Postgraduate Office听' page.
Research Areas
All students belong to two of the Section鈥檚听听One of these will be the听primary area of research and the other a related field. Each area听organises听two half-day events per year which provide the opportunity to hear invited speakers and to present students'听work. Students are听also be expected to get involved in听organising听the events for their听major area.
Research Training
All students must attend a prescribed amount of research training each year. Their听personal听programme听for each year should be discussed with their听supervisor. The Faculty's听research training programme听provides many useful courses, some of which are compulsory. In addition, the department听organises听two听research training sessions听per term with topics of particular interest to linguistics PhD students. These are compulsory for all PhD students registered in the Section. All enquiries about these should be made to Prof Brechtje Post, the Linguistics PhD Coordinator.
There are a limited number of places available on the Section's听Quantitative Methods for Analysing Language Data (QMALD)听statistics training lectures.
Information on training sessions听are circulated to current students with details on how to sign up.
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