The cross-college provision of this new and unique programme will enhance the experience for doctoral researchers at the University of Birmingham. The programme builds on exisiting research strengths in applied linguistics across the University particularly in the Department of Language, Discourse and Society in the School of Education and the Centre for English Studies in the School of English, Drama and American and Canadian Studies. Applied Linguistics is one of the pathways of the ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) accredited Doctoral Training Centre at the university.
The programme aims to build on existing successful provision in applied linguistics; specifically it builds on modules from existing MA, and MPhil(B) programmes in English, with modules from existing MA, EdD and PhD with Integrated Study degrees in the LDS, and research training modules in CoSS.
The taught elements of this programme include the following module options (each module is 20 credits):
Compulsory Modules (Two out of three core modules)
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Practitioner Inquiry in Education OR Research Methods in Applied Linguistics
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Introduction to corpus linguistics*
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Second language learning
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Language, discourse and society
Optional Modules: (Two Modules from those listed below)
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Academic language and learning for bilingual learners
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Bilingualism and special needs*
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Cognitive aspects of language learning
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Communicative language teaching
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Discourse for teachers
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English-medium education & CLIL in international contexts*
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Forensic linguistics
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Functional grammar
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Genre studies
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Introduction to bilingualism in education*
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Introduction to social research
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Introduction to translation studies
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Learning and ICT
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Management and leadership in EAL*
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Quantitative research in applied linguistics
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Research methods in corpus linguistics
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Spoken and written discourse*
* available as a distance module.
To allow for further interdisciplinarity, researchers may choose optional masters or doctoral level modules up to 20 credits from other programmes at the University, subject to the agreement of the supervisors and programme leaders.
If you pass the coursework component, you will progress to normal PhD study in years 2 (full time) year 3 (part time). Candidates will submit work towards the 80,000 word thesis in addition to the credit bearing coursework. You will also undertake additional training in advanced methods and transferable skills, guided by the regular training needs analysis that forms an essential basis for your Career Development Plan.
Candidates who are not upgraded may transfer to an appropriate MA, MRes or MPhil (B) where they will be required to write a dissertation.
Career opportunities
The training enables graduates to develop advanced skills in designing and conducting research, in ways that are applicable to a variety of careers in academia, business, government and non-profit organizations.