Program Overview

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Overview

The Linguistics, Applied Linguistics MPhil, PhD program at Newcastle University is a research-based degree that allows students to carry out a major research project under the supervision of experts in the field. The program is available in full-time and part-time modes, with start dates in September and January.

Research Areas

The program covers a wide range of research areas, including:

• Linguistic theory: phonetics and phonology, (morpho)syntax, pragmatics, the lexicon, cross-linguistic variation, the architecture of the language faculty, language's place in human cognition, and the philosophy of linguistics
• Language variation and change: dialectology, (variationist) sociolinguistics, the sociology of language, English historical linguistics, and corpus creation
• Language evolution, acquisition, and development: typical and atypical child (L1) and adult (L2) language acquisition, cognitive science, information theory, and psycholinguistics

Qualifications Explained

The program offers two qualifications:

• MPhil (Master of Philosophy): a research-based degree that involves original research leading to the completion of a 40,000-50,000 word thesis
• PhD (Doctor of Philosophy): a doctorate or doctoral award that involves original research leading to the completion of a substantial piece of work (80,000-100,000 words) in the form of a supervised thesis

How You'll Learn

The program is delivered through a combination of:

• Regular meetings with supervisors
• Email and Teams support
• Opportunities to take part in seminars across the disciplines of linguistics, applied linguistics, speech and language sciences, and education
• Access to the LingLab, which provides linguistics and experimental software, specialized equipment, and linguistic corpora

Your Development

The program offers various opportunities for development, including:

• Research groups: Language & Cognition Research Group, Sociolinguistics Discussion Group, Romance Linguistics Circle, North East Syntax Seminar, and Phonetics and Phonology Research Group
• Newcastle seminar series in linguistics: a regular seminar series where internationally renowned linguistic researchers give presentations on their recent research
• Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS) researcher development programme: a programme that provides training and support for postgraduate research students

Your Future

The program can lead to various career paths, including:

• Academia
• Education
• Publishing
• University administration
• Research and development

Quality and Ranking

Newcastle University is ranked:

• 42% of research is classified as 4* world-leading research (Research Excellence Framework 2021)
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 (Research Excellence Framework 2021)
• Global Top 140 University (QS World University Rankings 2026)
• Global Top 160 University (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025)
• Top 125 for Arts and Humanities (Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
• Top 200 for Linguistics (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)

Facilities

The program is based in the Percy Building, which has a purpose-built postgraduate suite with dedicated computer clusters, meeting rooms, a kitchen, and a lounge. The LingLab provides access to linguistics and experimental software, specialized equipment, and linguistic corpora.

Fees and Funding

The tuition fees for the program are:

• MPhil (full-time): £24,400 (international students)
• MPhil (part-time): £Not set (home students)
• PhD (full-time): £24,400 (international students)
• PhD (part-time): £Not set (home students) The program offers various scholarships and funding opportunities, including the Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships.

Entry Requirements

The program requires:

• A 2:1 honours degree or above, or international equivalent
• A master's degree, or international equivalent, at merit or above in a related field
• English language requirements: IELTS, Pearson, Duolingo English Test, or TOEFL
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be available

How to Apply

The application process involves:

• Contacting a potential supervisor before applying
• Submitting a short research proposal (up to 1,000 words) with the application
• Paying a deposit of £1,500 (international students)
• Using the application portal to submit the application

Open Days and Events

The university offers various open days and events, including overseas events, to provide information about the program and the university.

Get in Touch

For more information about the program, please contact the relevant staff members or use the online enquiry form. The university also has a social media presence, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.