Linguistics (Modern Languages) PhD
- Full-time: 3 years
- Part-time: 6 years
- Start date: September 2025
- UK fees: £5,006
- International fees: £23,000
Research overview
What if your passion for linguistics could help improve the way we understand international history, culture and politics? Follow your intercultural research interests to a deeper level in a department ranked 6th nationally in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.
A Linguistics (Modern Languages) PhD allows you to research a linguistic topic related to one or more modern languages. You may research any modern language but the school has particular expertise in French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian-Croatian, as well as expertise in Italian and Chinese.
Our areas of expertise in linguistics include the following:
- Sociolinguistics (including language standardisation, historical sociolinguistics)
- History of linguistics (such as history of ideas about language, including the history of grammar-writing of particular languages)
- Pragmatics and interactional linguistics (including conversation analysis in workplace and institutional settings, politeness studies, intercultural communication studies)
- Discourse analysis
- Translation and interpreting studies
- Corpus linguistics (especially diachronic linguistics)
- Applied linguistics, especially foreign/second language education and its history
- Historical linguistics
"We have a very active and dynamic research community where students and academics work on projects across many disciplines. This interdisciplinary environment offers students the opportunity to communicate and exchange ideas which can be very inspiring." Jean-Xavier Ridon, Director of Postgraduate Studies in the School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies - read full conversation
Find out more about research in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures.
Contact us to discuss a possible match between your research ideas and our supervisory expertise.
Course content
Before you start your research degree you will have completed a research-preparation masters degree in a related discipline and have agreed your research topic with a main supervisor and co-supervisor. You will work with this team closely for the duration of your study and are welcome to consult any other member of the department whose research seems of relevance to your own work.
You are required to attend all departmental research seminars and special lectures and deliver at least one paper of your own each year, usually at the annual Postgraduate Forum or at a work-in-progress seminar.
At the end of three years’ full-time registration, plus one year optional writing-up, you will have written a thesis of between 80,000-100,000 words on a topic which makes a significant contribution to research in linguistics.
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
| Degree | 2:1 (or international equivalent) in an arts, humanities or social science subject – we would usually expect you to hold, or be working towards, a masters degree in a relevant subject. |
| Degree | 2:1 (or international equivalent) in an arts, humanities or social science subject – we would usually expect you to hold, or be working towards, a masters degree in a relevant subject. |
| International and EU equivalents | We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world. For information on entry requirements from your country, see our country pages. |
| IELTS | 7.0 (6.5 in each element) |
| English language requirements | As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. |
Meeting our English language requirements
If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.
If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.
For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance.
Visa restrictions
International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.
We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.
We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.
If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us.
Applying
Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for postgraduate research.
How to applyFees
| Home / UK | £5,006 |
| International | £23,000 |
Additional information for international students
If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).
These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).
Additional costs
All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.
You'll be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to buy your own copies of core texts.
Support
We offer research students:
- advanced research training
- expert supervision (each student is allocated two supervisors)
- frequent reviews and feedback on progress
- departmental research seminars/work in progress sessions
- well-equipped work bases, with excellent library and IT facilities
- support for research trips and conference attendance, inter-library loan
Teaching opportunities
During your doctoral studies, you may have the opportunity to apply to work as a Postgraduate Teaching Assistant (PGTA) within the Faculty of Arts. We offer a limited number of part-time annualised hours contracts of employment. They provide invaluable teaching experience in delivering and supporting seminars, as well as marking, assessing and giving feedback on students' work. We provide dedicated training and professional development. Applications for PGTA positions are competitive and not guaranteed.
Researcher training and development
The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers, and staff who support them. We work together to promote a healthy research culture, to cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.
Postgraduate researchers at Nottingham have access to our online Members’ area, which includes a wealth of resources, access to training courses and award-winning postgraduate placements.
Graduate centres
Our graduate centres are dedicated community spaces on campus for postgraduates.
Each space has areas for:
- studying
- socialising
- computer work
- seminars
- kitchen facilities
Student support
You will have access to a range of support services, including:
- academic and disability support
- childcare services
- counselling service
- faith support
- financial support
- mental health and wellbeing support
- visa and immigration advice
- welfare support
Students' Union
Our Students' Union represents all students. You can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer.
There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:
- international students
- black and minority ethnic students
- students who identify as women
- students with disabilities
- LGBT+ students
SU Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial and academic difficulties.
Where you will learn
University Park Campus
University Park Campus covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.
Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.
You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.
Where you will learn
Research in the School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies
Research students come to Nottingham from the UK and overseas bringing with them diversity of cultural and disciplinary backgrounds which offers a rich, rewarding and supportive postgraduate community to be part of.
As a modern languages research student, you will be involved a programme of visiting speakers and regular symposia organised by staff and students. This will cover areas such as; seminar presentations, film cycles, discussion panels and much more.
Where you will learn
Modern Languages research areas
Where you will learn
University Park Campus
University Park Campus covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.
Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.
You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.
Where you will learn
Research in the School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies
Research students come to Nottingham from the UK and overseas bringing with them diversity of cultural and disciplinary backgrounds which offers a rich, rewarding and supportive postgraduate community to be part of.
As a modern languages research student, you will be involved a programme of visiting speakers and regular symposia organised by staff and students. This will cover areas such as; seminar presentations, film cycles, discussion panels and much more.
Where you will learn
Modern Languages research areas
Where you will learn
University Park Campus
University Park Campus covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.
Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.
You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.
Studying the linguistics of a modern language means tackling fundamental questions about language, such as how and why languages change. But it is also a way into a deeper understanding of other cultures and societies, by examining the social factors that influence language variation, people’s multilingual practice, and people’s beliefs about language. ”
Nicola McLelland, Professor of German and History of Linguistics
Research Excellence Framework
The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.
- Modern Languages and Linguistics ranked 5th nationally
- 83% of research in Modern Languages graded as ‘world-leading’ or internationally excellent
- 97% of research in the Faculty of Arts is of international quality
- 90%* of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*)
- 100%* of our research is recognised internationally
- 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact**
*According to analysis by Times Higher Education ** According to our own analysis.
This content was last updated on 26 February 2025. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.