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Postgraduate Study

I thoroughly enjoyed my time as an MPhil student at TAL, so I didn’t hesitate to apply to Cambridge when I was ready to do a PhD. Studying at the postgraduate level can be intimidating at times, but I’ve always found the learning environment here to be inclusive, positive, and empowering. The faculty members that I met were approachable and passionate teachers, other than being experts if not leaders of their respective fields. For both degrees (MPhil and PhD), I was fortunate to have supervisors who were supportive, empathetic, and always available. It was very clear to me that the focus of the department was on the holistic development of their students. I benefited greatly from the ample training opportunities provided by the department, the university, and other departments that I could choose from according to my needs. The Phonetics and Phonology research group that I was part of was especially close-knit, and the people also became an important part of my academic and non-academic life in Cambridge. I highly recommend applying to TAL, especially if you’re looking for a place that is friendly, welcoming, and intellectually stimulating.  

Jasper Hong, Sim (April 2022)
I really enjoyed my time at the Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics in Cambridge because of the intellectual stimulation I got from lectures, seminars, and discussions with brilliant people, both students and staff, with whom I shared the same passion for language. One of my favourite aspects of the PhD experience was the opportunity to supervise undergraduate students: not only was it extremely enjoyable to teach and interact with these bright students, but it was also an opportunity to think more deeply about my own research while  trying to answer their challenging questions.
Eleni Savva (April 2020)

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience as a PhD student at the Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics. Studying in Cambridge means being surrounded by some of the most brilliant researchers in the field and continuously exposed to forward-looking people and ideas. I found this really inspiring and critical to my own academic and professional growth. Throughout my PhD, I particularly enjoyed supervising undergraduate students. For prospective researchers and educators, this is a unique opportunity to build solid teaching and mentoring skills from a very early stage of their career

Luca Sbordone (April 2020)

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Key Information


3-4 years full-time

5-7 years part-time

Doctor of Philosophy

Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics This course is advertised in multiple departments. Please see the Overview tab for more details.

Course - related enquiries

Application - related enquiries

Course on Department Website

Dates and deadlines:

Applications open
Sept. 1, 2021
Application deadline
Oct. 4, 2022
Course Starts
Jan. 5, 2023

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Michaelmas 2023

Applications open
Sept. 15, 2022
Application deadline
May 16, 2023
Course Starts
Oct. 1, 2023

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Applications open
Sept. 15, 2022
Application deadline
Oct. 4, 2023
Course Starts
Jan. 5, 2024

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Course Funding Deadline
Dec. 1, 2022
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 12, 2022

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2023, Lent 2024 and Easter 2024.


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