Cardiff School of English Communication and Philosophy

PhD in Applied Linguistics (Lexical Studies)

Director of Programme: Professor Tess Fitzpatrick

At the Lexical Studies group annual conference (2013, Gregynog, mid-Wales)

The PhD programme in Applied Linguistics at Cardiff is designed specifically to meet the needs of part-time, distance-learning students.

All students on the programme work in the broad areas of lexical research and lexical perspectives on language issues. Specific topics might include, for example, vocabulary processing, assessment of vocabulary knowledge, second language acquisition, lexical attrition in L1 or L2, formulaic language and the interface between lexis and syntax. Contributors to the programme include Professor Alison Wray and Professor Paul Meara, international experts in lexical perspectives on language acquisition, processing and production.

The common focus has enabled us to build a strong research group with shared interests and a rich bank of source materials and research tools. The research group exists as a virtual network, consisting not only of current students, but also of post doctoral researchers and scholars with an established reputation in vocabulary studies.

Most students on the programme live and work overseas, and the programme addresses the particular challenges of this study context through a structured framework, with regular newsletters and set tasks to be completed on a monthly/yearly basis. The annual conference, held in the UK, provides an opportunity for face-to-face contact between students, supervisors and established researchers. The part-time programme typically takes 6 years to complete, and most graduates from the programme continue to work as active researchers in academic roles.

Successful applicants to the programme will typically have demonstrated a strong performance at Masters level, will have completed a course in research methods, and will have some experience of conducting empirical research (possibly as part of the Masters degree). A strong research project proposal in a relevant field will also be required.

Applying

We welcome enquiries from prospective students and advise you to make contact with the School before you submit a formal application. For more information about the PhD in Applied Linguistics, or to discuss potential research projects, please contact the School at encap-pg@cardiff.ac.uk.

You can apply online or can download an application form from Cardiff University's Apply section. Paper applications should be sent to the University Registry.