PhD in Linguistics: Theoretical and Applied Linguistics

Apply using the Applicant Portal

The Apply Now button on the right will take you to the Applicant Portal. There, you can create and submit your application and supporting documents, and you can also request your references.

An application is only complete when:

1. you have submitted your application and supporting documents via the Applicant Portal
2. you have paid the application fee if applicable. For further information on application fees, and which courses require an application fee, see here.
3. your referees have provided their references.

If you miss the deadlines specified in this section, you will not be able to submit your application.

We strongly recommend that students (even self-funded) submit their application by the funding deadline at the beginning of December. If places are still available beyond this deadline, self-funded applicants may apply until 14 May.

Selection Process

Applicants applying for US Gates funding who submit their applications by the October funding deadline can normally expect to receive an admissions decision in December.

For all other applicants who apply by the funding deadline in December, decisions are normally communicated before the end of March, with the majority of offers made in February and March.

Following the funding deadlines, applications are processed on a rolling basis. Applicants can usually expect a decision within 12 weeks after submitting their completed application and required supporting documents.

Occasionally, applicants may not receive a decision within the expected timeframe due to being placed on a reserve list. If this is the case, then the Faculty will get in touch to let applicants know.

Usually, the latest date for decisions to be communicated is the end of June.

Further information on How To Apply

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Things You'll Need

You should start preparing the things that you'll need when you apply. These will be mandatory, unless specifically flagged as optional.

• Two referees willing to give you a reference
  Either academic or professional – please see our References guidance for more information about which type you need. Your referees will need to have submitted their reference by the course deadline.
• Transcript  
• CV/resume
• Evidence of competence in English
  If required - please see our Competence in English guidance for more information.
• Research Proposal (document upload) (mandatory)
  Please upload a 500-1,000-word research proposal. Bibliographic references (whether in footnotes or a works cited list) are not included in the word count. Discursive footnotes should be avoided.
• Sample of Work (1) (document upload) (mandatory)
  Please upload a sample of recent research writing of approximately 5,000-10,000 words. The sample can be either an essay produced during masters-level studies or a thesis section and must be a single-authored work. Bibliographic references (whether in footnotes or a works cited list) are not included in the word count. However, discursive footnotes should be avoided.
• Proposed Supervisor (200 characters) (mandatory)
  It is strongly recommended that you informally approach a potential Supervisor to discuss your proposed research project in advance of applying. Usually one principal supervisor is appointed. However, in exceptional circumstances, second supervisors are appointed (for example, agreed interdisciplinary or collaborative projects). For more information on finding a Supervisor, refer to the 'How to Apply' section of the course page.
• Project Title (250 characters) (mandatory)
• Research Summary (2500 characters) (mandatory)
• Research Experience (2500 characters) (optional)
• Your Motivation
  Explain what motivates you to apply for a PhD and what drives your interest in pursuing this program. Highlight your motivation to learn and develop.
• Responding to Challenges
  Describe how you persist through challenges, learn from feedback, and use problem-solving or creative thinking to explore issues from new perspectives. Draw from examples from your academic, professional or personal life.
• Independent Study
  Describe how you manage your own learning and meet important milestones. Provide examples from your academic, professional, or personal life that demonstrate how you have successfully handled independent tasks or how you have developed these skills in preparation for doctoral study.
• School of Arts and Humanities - Widening Participation Questionnaire
  Applicants to this course are being asked to complete an additional form to provide contextual information about their previous study. Find out more about our use of contextual information here: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/how/contextual-data

Gates Cambridge Scholarships

If you wish to be considered for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship you will also need to provide the following:

• Gates Cambridge Reference  
• Research Proposal (PhD applicants only)

See Gates Cambridge for more information.

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How to Find a Supervisor

All applicants who are admitted to the Faculty will be assigned a Supervisor to work with them and support them in their research. It is strongly recommended that applicants informally approach a potential Supervisor to discuss their proposed research project in advance of applying. Applicants are encouraged to consult the Academic staff pages to help identify a suitable potential Supervisor. If needed, advice may be requested from the Postgraduate Teaching and Examinations Officer (PTEO) in the relevant area of study – please see the Academic Contacts section of the Postgraduate Contacts page.

When completing the online application for admission, applicants should nominate a Supervisor with whom they wish to work, and the Faculty will take into account this preference. However, please note that this does not guarantee that the Supervisor will be appointed. In June/July each year, the MMLL Degree Committee will monitor the supervision load for each member of academic staff in the faculty and, in some cases, may need to appoint another suitable Supervisor.