Integrated PhD in Educational and Applied Linguistics

Introduction

The IPHD at Newcastle is the largest of its kind in the UK and currently has 56 students registered. The programme’s appeal lies in the fact that it offers an opportunity to participate in high quality taught modules while receiving a thorough research training.  Our aim is to help you to engage in a wide range of educational and linguistic issues, but at the same time allow you to research in depth a single issue relevant to your own professional situation.
Unlike many other British research degrees, the Integrated PhD in Educational and Applied Linguistics has a substantial taught and assessed component, as well as a supervised, research-based study element. It is a conceptually demanding doctorate, intended to appeal particularly to senior professionals in education and related fields, who seek an advanced theoretical and analytical basis for application in their professional practice.
Students are drawn from a variety of professional backgrounds, but all have an interest in the application of linguistics to educational contexts. For example, if you are lecturing in applied linguistics and education, or planning to assume a senior management role in a university or college, this programme will be of interest to you.

The IPHD Staff Dr. Susan Pattison, Dr. Steve Walsh, Prof. Paul Seedhouse, Ms. Yvonne Rutherford

Recent IPHD Educational and Applied Linguistics Theses

Christopher Jenks (April 2006)
Task-Based Interaction; The Interactional and Sequential Organisation of Task-as-Workplan and Task-in-Process

Kitcha Thepsiri (February 2007)
Scaffolding in Project Work: A Study of a Project-Based Course Implementation in a Thai University Context.

Aims

The Integrated PhD in Educational and Applied Linguistics aims to help you achieve a critical conceptual understanding of practice, thought, evidence and theory relating to recent developments in educational and applied linguistics. You will then be in a position to apply this understanding to your own professional context.
You will take both compulsory and optional modules. The aim of our modules is to help you gain the skills, knowledge and understanding to engage with and evaluate research and theory. These modules will also enable you to prepare and carry out a research project, which you will write up as a 50,000 word thesis.
By the end of the programme, you will be able to:

  • present key facts, concepts, ideas and approaches relating to the subjects of your modules and your research in an accurate and coherent way
  • collect and critically evaluate information and commentary on research in educational and applied linguistics, especially in the areas you select to study
  • design, conduct and present a research investigation in an area of educational and applied linguistics
  • make informed judgments on complex issues in specialist fields
  • be able to communicate your ideas and conclusions clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences
  • have the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment in professional or equivalent environments
Entrance requirements
  • A first degree and a Masters degree, in a relevant subject.
  • Some relevant work experience is desirable but not essential.
  • If you are an international student, you will need an English language qualification (currently, IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.5 in writing), TOEFL 575, computer –based TOEFL 233, or equivalent).
Fees and Scholarships

Fees for the Integrated PhD in Educational and Applied Linguistics for the year 2011-12 (subject to approval):

  • UK/EU: full time £4,275
  • Overseas: full time £10,630

The University offers a number of partial scholarships to international students in the form of International Research Scholarships, International Postgraduate Scholarships and Alumni Scholarships. For more information please visit our finance for international students pages. Other bursaries and scholarships for both international and UK/EU students may be available from the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences.

Structure

36-48 months full-time.
The Integrated PhD consists of taught modules (200 credits) and a research element, including a thesis of 50,000 words. The degree can be completed after a minimum of three years' full time study.
If you successfully complete 180 credits (of both research and taught elements) after a minimum of 18 months study but are unable to continue further, you will be entitled to the award of Master of Education (MEd).

Routes

We recognize that students and their sponsors from institutions and countries around the world may have different requirements, therefore there are several possible routes to the Integrated PhD in Educational and Applied Linguistics. Some examples are given below:
Personal timetables may vary to suit individual needs and interests, but a general pattern would be:


 

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Year 1

Specialist module(s) Compulsory modules

Specialist module(s) Compulsory modules

Compulsory module

Year 2

Compulsory module

Specialist module. Start work on thesis

Thesis

Year 3

Thesis

Thesis

Thesis

An example is given below of a route for a student who wishes to take the standard route with specialist modules in the area of Educational and Applied Linguistics:


 

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Year 1

Introduction to Academic Practice. Information Skills. The Nature of Enquiry

Pedagogical Grammar and Lexis. TESOL Theory and Practice.

 Advanced Issues in  Applied Linguistics

Year 2

TESOL for Young Learners. Bilingualism.

Quantitative Research Methods. Qualitative Research Methods. Starting work on thesis

Work on thesis

Year 3

Thesis

Thesis

Thesis

Taught Elements

In the first two years of the degree, you are required to take compulsory modules, to a value of 80 credits. These include:

Compulsory modules (60 credits):

You must do one of the following modules (20 credits):

You must take 120 credits from the following pathways:

In addition to your compulsory modules, you are required to choose a total of 120 credits from specialist modules, with the following pathways:

  • educational and applied linguistics
  • language acquisition
  • cross cultural communication

The modules offered may vary from year to year, as areas of interest and expertise change - the list below is for illustrative purposes only. You may also take other modules on offer in the University with the agreement of the Degree Programme Director.

Educational and Applied Linguistics

Language Acquisition

Cross-Cultural Communication Pathway

Theoretical and Descriptive Linguistics

Teaching and Assessment

Module tutors use a variety of approaches to suit their subject. These may involve direct exposition, discussion, student presentations, reading tasks for analysis and evaluation, and data collection. The rigorous examination of current research is often a feature of these modules. Module tutors will answer questions about the particular requirements of an assignment, and offer advice on proposals for submissions.
For most modules, work is assessed by written assignments; for some research methods modules assessment is either a written paper, or an assessed exercise or its equivalent. The written assignment associated with each module constitutes the examination for that module.

Research Elements

You are required to conduct research, and to present a thesis of 50,000 words.
At the beginning of the programme, the Degree Programme Director will give individual advice on the topic for your research component. Once a field of study has been clearly identified, you will submit a research proposal. A research supervisor will be appointed to guide your study, normally during your second year of study.
You are advised to work on your thesis in Years 2 and 3, although it is possible to begin a study earlier if you have a clear idea of your research topic or if you wish to undertake longitudinal or cohort studies. However, approval by the review panel is still necessary. Your supervisor will provide guidance on a one-to-one basis, and it is your responsibility to plan, organize, write coherently in sound English, and demonstrate independence in your research project.

Assessment

The thesis is submitted for examination in a standard form, and is normally examined by one internal and one external examiner. After reading it, they normally call you for a viva voce (oral) examination, to defend your thesis.

More information

For more information on fees, funding and how to apply for this programme Integrated PhD In Educational and Applied Linguistics

Funding may also be available from the School of Education, Communication and Langauge Sciences.

You can also contact the Humanities and Social Sciences Graduate School:
Tel: +44 (0) 191 222 5503
Fax: +44 (0) 191 222 7001
Email: hss.gradschool@ncl.ac.uk
For other enquiries about the Integrated PhD in Educational and Applied Linguistics, please contact:

Miss Yvonne Rutherford (PGR Secretary),
Room 3.13 King George VI Building
School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences,
Newcastle University,
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU
Tel: +44 (0) 191 222 6569
Fax: +44 (0) 191 222 6546
Email: pgrecls@ncl.ac.uk

Steve Walsh (Degree Programme Director),
Room 3.6, King George VI Building,
School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences,
Newcastle University,
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU
Tel: +44 (0) 191 222 5094
Fax: +44 (0) 191 222 6518
Email: steve.walsh@ncl.ac.uk