Our PhD and integrated PhD programmes give you the skills for a range of successful professions such as teacher, researcher or lecturer.
Modern languages at Southampton is an internationally recognised centre of research excellence. We offer PhD supervision across a wide range of areas relating to language, culture and society, including applied linguistics.
You'll be part of a friendly and supportive community with opportunities to:
We offer 2 postgraduate research routes:
This course is ideal if you're an experienced teacher or educationalist and you want time up front to re-familiarise yourself with the subject and its research methods. This study route is for applicants interested in:
The doctorate combines taught elements and independent research. You'll gain insights into applied linguistics with a focus on English language teaching along with the relevant research methods. When you complete the taught components you'll concentrate on a specific area of research.
You'll gain transferable skills in:
This is a thesis-only route and no taught components. The PhD is available in all areas of modern languages research including:
Graduates with a PhD in modern languages from Southampton go on to teach and lecture.
Our researchers generally focus on one of these areas:
Our staff are experienced supervisors, engaged in innovative research and postgraduate teaching, and there are excellent opportunities for interdisciplinary research.
You can either apply for a structured studentship or propose your own PhD idea.
Taking a structured PhD will give you access to additional training, conferences and secondments.
We offer a wide range of fully funded studentships. We run several of our PhD studentships in partnership with doctoral training centres, meaning you'll benefit from enhanced training and guaranteed funding.
These studentships:
As an arts and humanities student you may be able to apply for Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funding through the South West and Wales doctoral training partnership. You'll need to apply for funding separately from your application to us.
Doctoral training centres offer fully funded studentships which include:
Find out more about the South West and Wales doctoral training partnership.
We offer scholarships and teaching bursaries ourselves. Your potential supervisor can guide you on what is available.
If you’re an international student you may be able to apply for a scholarship from your country.
Find out more about scholarships
Once you've found a supervisor, they can help you with potential funding sources. We offer match funding in some cases.
You'll need to state how you intend to pay for your tuition fees when you submit your application.
Find out more about funding your PhD
You may be able to fund your postgraduate research with funding from your current employer or from industry.
You can borrow up to £26,445 for a PhD starting in 2022. Doctoral loans are not means tested and you can decide how much you want to borrow.
Find out about PhD loans on GOV.UK
You may be able to win funding from one or more charities to help fund your PhD.
You'll need to pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees are the same whether you're studying in person or by distance learning. If you're applying for a fully funded project, your fees will be paid for you.
2022 to 2023 entry:
| Subject | UK fees | International fees |
| Applied linguistics for English language teaching full time | £4,596 | £18,000 |
| Applied linguistics for English language teaching part time | £2,298 | £9,000 |
| Applied linguistics for English language teaching distance learning part time (Mexico) | not offered | £11,000 |
| Modern languages including applied linguistics for language teaching full time | £4,596 | £18,000 |
| Modern languages including applied linguistics for language teaching part time | £2,298 | £9,000 |
2023 to 2024 entry:
| Subject | UK fees | International fees |
| Applied linguistics for English language teaching full time | tbc | £18,600 |
| Applied linguistics for English language teaching part time | tbc | £9,300 |
| Applied linguistics for English language teaching distance learning part time (Mexico) | not offered | £11,596 |
| Modern languages including applied linguistics for language teaching full time | tbc | £18,600 |
| Modern languages including applied linguistics for language teaching part time | tbc | £9,300 |
You're eligible for a 10% alumni discount on a self-funded PhD if you're a current student or graduate from the University of Southampton.
We have a thriving research community and are home to several renowned research centres:
We also have the following research groups:
Decide whether to apply to an advertised research project or create your own proposal.
It's a good idea to email potential supervisors to discuss the specifics of your project. It's best to do this well ahead of the application deadline.
You’ll find supervisors’ contact details listed with the advertised project, or you can search for supervisors in the staff directory.
If you decide to write your own research proposal, we still recommended that you propose a potential supervisor. You may wish to look at our research themes to help you find an appropriate supervisor with relevant expertise.
You’ll need to send us:
Our PhDs start in September each year. You’ll need to submit your application for September entry by 1 July of that year.
If you require a visa to study with us, please apply as early as possible and allow plenty of time for visa applications.
For the integrated PhD you’ll need to have a:
For the PhD you'll need to have one of the following:
Visit our global pages to find equivalent international qualifications.
If English is not your first language, you'll need an IELTS minimum level of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing, reading, speaking and listening.
Your awarded certificate needs to be dated within the last 2 years.
If you need further English language tuition before starting your degree, you can apply for one of our pre-sessional English language courses.
Check the specific entry requirements listed on the project you’re interested in before you apply.
Research degrees have a minimum and maximum duration, known as the candidature. Your candidature ends when you submit your thesis.
Most candidatures are longer than the minimum period.
| Degree type | Duration |
| Applied linguistics for English language teaching full time | 2 to 4 years |
| Applied linguistics for English language teaching part time | 3 to 7 years |
| Modern languages including applied linguistics for language teaching full time | 2 to 4 years |
| Modern languages including applied linguistics for language teaching part time | 4 to 7 years |
