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PhD in Linguistics and English Language at the University of Edinburgh University of Edinburgh in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Phonetics
Funding
Funding is not guaranteed and is highly competitive. Potential sources include University of Edinburgh funding, Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities Funding, Scottish Graduate School of Social Science Funding, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Research Awards, Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships, and external scholarships. Students generally need to combine funding sources to cover tuition fees and living costs. Tuition fees apply, while estimated postgraduate livin
Deadline
Nov 9, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of Edinburgh
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About this position
The University of Edinburgh invites applications for its Linguistics and English Language PhD, offered full-time over three years or part-time over six years, starting in September 2027. The programme is based in the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
Research opportunities span applied linguistics, developmental linguistics and language acquisition, discourse and conversation analysis, historical English linguistics, language evolution, linguistic fieldwork, morphology, multilingualism, phonetics and phonology, pragmatics, sociolinguistics, speech technology, syntax and semantics, and varieties of English. Students may work with research groups including Developmental Linguistics, English Language, Language Evolution and Computation, Language in Context, Language Variation and Change, Meaning and Grammar, Phonetics and Phonology, the Centre for Language Evolution, and Bilingualism Matters. Speech-technology research is supported through the Centre for Speech Technology Research.
Applicants normally need a UK 2:1 honours degree or equivalent in English language, linguistics, or a related subject. Applicants with a 2:1 in another discipline may also be considered if they hold a relevant postgraduate master's degree. The application requires a personal statement, academic records, two references, English-language evidence, and a research proposal of no more than 1,000 words. The proposal should present the research questions, rationale, empirical studies, methodology, analysis plans, and fit with the proposed supervisory team. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact potential supervisors before applying.
Funding is competitive and is not automatically included. Potential sources include Edinburgh doctoral scholarships, college research awards, Scottish Graduate School funding, and external scholarships. The programme has no application fee. Round 1 applications submitted by 9 November 2026 will be considered for University of Edinburgh-based funding; Round 2 closes on 12 April 2027.
Funding details
Funding is not guaranteed and is highly competitive. Potential sources include University of Edinburgh funding, Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities Funding, Scottish Graduate School of Social Science Funding, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Research Awards, Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships, and external scholarships. Students generally need to combine funding sources to cover tuition fees and living costs. Tuition fees apply, while estimated postgraduate livin
What's required
Applicants need a UK 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent in English language, linguistics, or a related subject, or a UK 2:1 degree in another subject plus a postgraduate master's degree in English language or linguistics. Applicants must submit a research proposal of no more than 1,000 words, including the project title, background, rationale, research questions or hypotheses, methodology, data and analysis plans where relevant, and fit with the proposed supervisor's research programme. A personal statement, relevant knowledge or training skills, two references, degree certificates and transcripts, supervisor name if known, and evidence of English-language proficiency are required; certified translations may be needed. English requirements include accepted tests such as IELTS Academic 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in each component, or specified equivalent qualifications. Applicants are encouraged to contact potential supervisors in advance with a draft proposal and CV.
How to apply
Prepare a research proposal of up to 1,000 words, contact a potential supervisor with your draft proposal and CV, gather the required academic documents and two references, and submit the complete online application for the selected full-time or part-time PhD option. Round 1 applications are due by 9 November 2026 for consideration for University of Edinburgh-based funding.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.