Applied Linguistics

Program Overview

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The Applied Linguistics MPhil/PhD program at Birkbeck, University of London, equips students with the skills to become independent researchers in the field. The program offers a wide range of research areas, including bilingualism, language acquisition, and sociolinguistics. Students receive training in research methods and have the opportunity to present their work at seminars and conferences. The program is designed to prepare students for a successful career in applied linguistics.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

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Objectives:

The program aims to transform students into independent researchers equipped with the skills required to present their research effectively and push the boundaries of knowledge.

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Process:

Students achieve this independence by developing strong scholarship skills, including original thought, proper referencing, background knowledge, methodology, and accountable reporting procedures. They will then utilize these skills to pursue their specific research interests under the guidance and support of their supervisor.

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Structure:

The program begins with an MPhil, and students are eligible to upgrade to a PhD after demonstrating satisfactory progress in the first year or two. Research areas include:

• Bilingualism and multilingualism
• Child language development
• Second language acquisition
• Psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics
• Corpus linguistics
• Sociolinguistics
• Cross-cultural pragmatics
• Discourse and conversation analysis
• Intercultural communication
• Language teaching
• Translation theory

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Dissertation:

Students are required to submit a substantial dissertation of 60,000 to 100,000 words.

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Highlights:

• Extensive experience in applied linguistics studies since 1965
• Institutional Member of the British Association for Applied Linguistics and affiliated with the International Association of Applied Linguistics (AILA)
• Home to the Centre for Multilingual and Multicultural Research and the International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism

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Teaching:

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Training and Methodology:

• Students receive training in research methods
• Access to a wide range of generic research training courses offered by the College Research School and the Bloomsbury Postgraduate Skills Network

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Academic Staff:

• Concerned with real-life issues where language and communication play a central role
• Focus on applied linguistics rather than conventional descriptive or theoretical linguistics

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PhD Student Experience:

• Expected to actively engage in the dissemination of their work through PhD seminars and at other venues
• Encouraged to publish work in relevant journals and provided guidance
• Required to present a research seminar at least once a year

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Other:

• Part-time and full-time options available
• Duration: 7 years part-time, 4 years full-time
• Regular meetings with supervisor(s) required
• Start dates: October, January, April
• Tuition fees: Vary depending on student status and year
• Scholarships and funding options available

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Conclusion:

The Applied Linguistics MPhil/PhD program at Birkbeck offers a comprehensive and rigorous research experience for those seeking to become independent researchers in the field. With its focus on real-world application and expert faculty, the program provides a strong foundation for a successful career in applied linguistics.

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Academic year 2024–25, starting October 2024, January 2025, April 2025 Part-time home students: £2,539 per year Full-time home students: £4,786 per year Part-time international students: £7,525 per year Full-time international students: £14,885 per year Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases. Fees and finance PhD students resident in England can apply for government loans of over £26,000 to cover the cost of tuition fees, maintenance and other study-related costs. We offer a range of studentships and funding options to support your research.