| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-09-01 | - |
| 2025-10-01 | - |
Program Overview
Emphasizing research impact and expert supervision, the program prepares graduates for careers in academia, interdisciplinary fields, and research-oriented roles.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The PhD Sociolinguistics program at the University of Essex is a four-year integrated program that combines the MRES Linguistics program for the first year with the PhD study program within the Department of Language and Linguistics for the remaining three years. The program aims to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct independent research in sociolinguistics. The program offers a three-year supervised research route for students who already possess a solid knowledge of existing research in the field and a good understanding of research methods.
Outline:
Year 1:
- MRES Linguistics Program: This program provides students with a foundation in linguistics, including research methods and theoretical frameworks.
- Dissertation (Research): Students undertake a dissertation topic of their choosing, with supervision from expert staff. This component is worth 90 credits.
- Professional Development for Research Students: This module aims to help students transition to independent postgraduate scholarship through workshops and activities related to research in the Department of Language & Linguistics. Topics include identifying research problems, formulating hypotheses, conducting literature searches, choosing methods for data transcription, quantitative analysis techniques, lab facilities, ethics in linguistic research, writing and reviewing conference abstracts, preparing conference presentations, and writing for publication. This component is worth 0 credits.
- Subject specific option(s) from list or research project: Students can choose from a list of subject-specific options or undertake a research project. This component is worth 30 credits.
- Subject specific option(s) from list or research project: Students can choose from a list of subject-specific options or undertake a research project. This component is worth 30 credits.
- Research support option(s) from list: Students can choose from a list of research support options. This component is worth 30 credits.
Year 2-4:
- Independent Research: Students begin their independent research under the guidance of their supervisor.
- Supervisory Board Meetings: Students meet with their supervisory board twice a year to discuss their progress and agree on plans for the next six months.
Assessment:
- Dissertation: The thesis has a maximum length of 80,000 words.
- Supervisory Board Meetings: Students' progress is formally checked every six months by a supervisory board consisting of their supervisor, an adviser, and a chairperson.
Teaching:
- Supervisory Guidance: Students are allocated a supervisor who guides them through the different stages of their research degree. In some cases, students may have joint supervision by two members of staff.
- Departmental Seminars: The department runs regular seminars featuring invited external speakers.
- Specialist Facilities: The Department of Language and Linguistics provides research students with work and storage space, including laboratory facilities and access to online bibliographies, corpora, and other resources.
Careers:
- University Lecturing or Research: Given the breadth of the program's provision, career prospects for graduates vary depending on the study undertaken. A common career destination for PhD students is university lecturing or research.
- Interdisciplinary Fields: The interdisciplinary nature of the program's areas of coverage allows graduates to pursue careers in departments of English, linguistics, education, sociology, or cognitive science.
Other:
- Research Impact: The University of Essex is ranked 1st in the UK for research impact in modern languages and linguistics (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
- Research Group Culture: The department has a strong research group culture.
- Expert Staff: Students are taught, supported, and supervised by staff with an international reputation for being at the forefront of research in their areas of expertise.
Home/UK fee £4,786 per year International fee £18,750 per year
University of Essex
Overview:
The University of Essex is a public research university located in Colchester, Essex, England. It is known for its strong academic reputation, particularly in the fields of social sciences, humanities, and law. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, as well as short courses and apprenticeships.
Services Offered:
The university provides a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:
Accommodation:
Guaranteed, affordable accommodation for new undergraduate and postgraduate students.Student Support:
A variety of support services are available to students, including academic advising, career counseling, and mental health support.Careers and Employability:
The university offers resources and programs to help students develop their career skills and find employment.Essex Sport:
A wide range of sports facilities and activities are available to students, including fitness classes, performance sport, and scholarships.Faith:
The university provides support for students of all faiths.Cost of Living Support:
The university offers financial assistance to students who are struggling with the cost of living.Student Life and Campus Experience:
Students at the University of Essex can expect a vibrant and diverse campus experience. The university has a strong sense of community, with a variety of clubs, societies, and events to get involved in. The university also has a beautiful campus, with green spaces, lakes, and modern facilities.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Strong Academic Reputation:
The university is consistently ranked highly in national and international rankings.Excellent Research:
The university is a leading research institution, with a strong focus on innovation and impact.Diverse and Inclusive Community:
The university is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students.Excellent Student Support:
The university provides a wide range of support services to help students succeed.Beautiful Campus:
The university has a beautiful campus, with green spaces, lakes, and modern facilities.Academic Programs:
The University of Essex offers a wide range of academic programs, including:
Undergraduate Programs:
The university offers a wide range of undergraduate programs in the arts, humanities, social sciences, law, business, and science.Postgraduate Programs:
The university offers a wide range of postgraduate programs, including master's degrees, PhDs, and professional qualifications.Short Courses and CPD:
The university offers a variety of short courses and continuing professional development programs.Other:
The university has three campuses: Colchester, Southend, and Loughton. The Colchester campus is the main campus and is located in a beautiful parkland setting. The Southend campus is located on the seafront and offers a more urban experience. The Loughton campus is home to the university's drama school, East 15 Acting School.
The university is also home to a number of research centers and institutes, including the Centre for Research in Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Management (REIMI) and the Human Rights Centre.
Entry Requirements:
- UK entry requirements:
- A 2.2 Honours Degree, or equivalent, in a related subject.
- The four-year integrated PhD allows students to spend their first year studying at the Masters level to develop the necessary knowledge and skills and to start their independent research in year two.
- International & EU entry requirements:
- The University accepts a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- If English is not your first language, then you will require IELTS 7.0 or equivalent.
