Linguistics

Entry requirements

A first or upper-second class BA honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, and a distinction or merit in an MA in Linguistics or a closely related field.

International applicants for whom English is not their first language must have IELTS overall 7.0 with at least 6 for each component.

All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.

Months of entry

January, April, September

Course content

A PhD, also known as a doctorate, is a requirement for a career as an academic or researcher. In addition, it has become a qualification valued by many employers who recognise the skills and commitment a PhD requires. Employers also recognise that a PhD indicates excellent research capabilities, discipline and communication skills.

Over the duration of the PhD, you produce an original piece of research of up to 100,000 words.

Current and recent PhD projects include: 'The effects of pragmatic instruction on verbal irony understanding and production by EFL learners', 'Linguistic cooperativity in clinical communication', 'Fictional representations of the Nigerian Civil War and the worldviews of readers', and 'Creativity as resistance in translation'.

Researchers in Linguistics offer supervision in a wide range of disciplines, and will support and guide you through your research. Your progress is carefully monitored to ensure that you are on track to produce a thesis that is valued by the academic community. Throughout your programme, you are able to attend and contribute to research seminars, workshops, and research and transferable skills training courses.

Information for international students

Please see our International website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information. Due to visa restrictions, international fee-paying students cannot study part-time unless undertaking a distance or blended-learning programme with no on-campus provision.

English language entry requirements

The University requires all non-native speakers of English to reach a minimum standard of proficiency in written and spoken English before beginning a postgraduate degree. Certain subjects require a higher level.

For detailed information see our English language requirements web pages.

Need help with English?

Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.

Fees and funding

For further information about funding, including scholarships, please visit our funding web pages.