Program Overview

Doctor of Philosophy in English Language and Linguistics

The Doctor of Philosophy in English Language and Linguistics is a research-based program that aims to equip students with advanced knowledge and skills in the field of English language and linguistics.

Program Requirements

To qualify for the degree of PhD in English Language and Linguistics, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

• Pass a minimum of 24 Units or six courses (each course is worth 4 Units) from the English Language and Linguistics curriculum.
  • Of these six courses, the following is compulsory:
    • EL6770 Graduate Research Seminar.
  • Of the remaining five courses, one must be at level 6000. No more than one course may be at level 4000.
• Obtain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5 for all examinable courses.
  • In order to continue in the PhD programme, a candidate must not have:
    • a GPA of less than 3.5 for three consecutive semesters; or
    • a GPA below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters.
• Reside in Singapore for a minimum of 18 months of the candidature.
• Pass all components of the Qualifying Exam (QE).
• Successfully complete and defend a thesis of not more than 80,000 words.

Program Structure

The program is structured to provide students with a comprehensive education in English language and linguistics, with a focus on research and academic excellence. Students may take courses offered by another graduate programme in the university, subject to the approval of the student's thesis advisor, the lecturer of the course, the Head of the Department of English, Linguistics and Theatre Studies, and the host department, and relevance to the student’s studies and availability.

Admission Criteria

The admission criteria for the program include:

• A minimum GPA of 3.5 for all examinable courses.
• Residency in Singapore for a minimum of 18 months of the candidature.
• Passing all components of the Qualifying Exam (QE).
• Successfully completing and defending a thesis of not more than 80,000 words.

Research Areas

The program covers a range of research areas in English language and linguistics, including:

• English Language
• Linguistics
• Theatre Studies

Program Duration

The maximum duration for both full-time and part-time study is 60 months.

Additional Requirements

Those awarded an NUS scholarship are required to reside in Singapore for the duration of the scholarship award.

Previous Program Requirements

For students admitted before August 2022, the program requirements were as follows:

• Pass a minimum of 32 Units or eight courses (each course is worth 4 Units) from the English Language and Linguistics curriculum.
  • Of these eight courses, the following four are compulsory:
    • EL5101 Grammatical Analysis
    • EL5102 Phonetics and Phonology
    • EL5103 Language in Society
    • EL6770 Graduate Research Seminar.
  • Of the remaining four courses, one must be at level 6000. No more than one course may be at level 4000.
• Obtain a minimum GPA of 3.5 for all examinable courses.
  • In order to continue in the PhD programme, a candidate must not have:
    • a GPA of less than 3.5 for three consecutive semesters; or
    • a GPA below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters.
• Reside in Singapore for a minimum of 18 months of the candidature.
• Pass all components of the Qualifying Exam (QE).
• Successfully complete and defend a thesis of not more than 80,000 words.

Doctor of Philosophy in Language Studies

For students admitted before August 2015, the program requirements were as follows:

• Pass six courses, at least three of which must be at level 6000.
  • In English Language, there is one compulsory course: EL6770 (Graduate Research Seminar).
• Obtain a minimum GPA of 3.5 for all examinable courses.
  • In order to continue in the PhD programme, a candidate must not have:
    • a GPA of less than 3.5 for three consecutive semesters; or
    • a GPA below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters.
• Reside in Singapore for a minimum of 18 months of the candidature.
• Pass all components of the Qualifying Exam (QE).
• Successfully complete and defend a thesis of not more than 80,000 words.