Study any aspect of English language teaching on our MPhil/PhD in English Language Teaching at Warwick's Department of Applied Linguistics, Ranked 9th in the UK for Linguistics The Complete University Guide 2024. Enhance your knowledge of teaching, learning, assessment and teacher development through research, under the supervision of field experts.
Before my PhD at the University of Warwick, I spent five years teaching English in Chinese high schools. I worked alongside deeply skilled, knowledgeable educators who rarely had the opportunity or confidence to share their expertise beyond their own classrooms. That experience shaped everything. My doctoral journey became a mission to explore how empowering teachers as researchers of their own practice could transform their professional growth, wellbeing, and global visibility. I designed and led a collaborative teacher research programme that grew to support 17 incredible in-service English teachers across 14 cities in China. Together, we tackled the full research cycle, from identifying classroom puzzles to analysing data and disseminating findings globally. Seeing colleagues shift their self-perception from passive curriculum implementers to active, knowledge-generating professionals has been the most rewarding experience of my career. It would not have been possible without the continuous guidance of my PhD supervisors.
Meifang
PhD candidate on Applied Linguistics
Working under the expert guidance of a supervisor, PhD students design and pursue an individual research project shaped by their own personal, academic, or professional needs and interests. They participate in seminars and other activities in a diverse and vibrant research community, and disseminate their work through conference presentations and publications to both academic and non-academic audiences.
Teaching and learning
PhD researchers are individually mentored by academic supervisors from the beginning of their journey. They also participate in weekly research seminars in Year One to develop their skills and understanding in relation to research issues and approaches, methods of data collection and analysis, and research ethics.
Entry requirements
2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in ELT/TESOL, English, Education, Linguistics, Languages or a relevant discipline and a Master’s degree in ELT/TESOL, Applied Linguistics or a relevant discipline.
IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.
Please adjust your country as required:
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications. For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page.
We typically ask for two academic references for research courses.
You will be asked to include an email address for your referee(s) when submitting your application and we will contact them for you.
There are no additional entry requirements for this course.
Research themes
We are committed to interdisciplinary research that can make a real difference to society and people’s lives by informing policy, changing practice, and challenging perceptions. Current research strengths in the department are:
There are several routes to finding a PhD supervisor at University of Warwick. Searching for a supervisor and submitting a research proposal will look different depending on the opportunity you are applying for. Below you’ll find guidance from the department about what is required for this course.
For more general advice, including top tips for finding and contacting a potential supervisor, and what to include in your research proposal visit the university’s guidance webpages.
If you are interested in studying for a PhD within the Department of Applied Linguistics, in the first instance please contact our Postgraduate Research Studies Admission Tutor, Professor Stephanie Schnurr, s.schnurr@warwick.ac.uk.
Please send them the following documents so we can then follow things up and, if appropriate, consult with a potential supervisor:
A detailed research proposal for the PhD project you wish to undertake
An up-to-date CV
A copy of your Master’s degree transcript, with all your grades, including for your dissertation (or an interim transcript)
A recent IELTS certificate if available (we require level 7.0 overall with 7.0 in the writing component)
To avoid confusion and additional delay, please do not contact staff members directly.
If you have explored our Applied Linguistics Staff Directory and have identified a potential individual whose research interests and publications relate closely to your research topic, please share their name(s) with the Postgraduate Research Studies Admission Tutor when you contact him.
If you are applying for the degree of MPhil/PhD, you need to submit a research proposal with the form. The proposal should indicate your intended research area and outline a plan for the work to be undertaken.
You should justify the planned research by reference both to the literature and your interests or intentions. You should indicate possible research methods and also include a bibliography. The proposal should normally be at least 1500 words long.
If you have completed an MA degree, you may be asked to submit a copy of your dissertation or some course work completed during the programme.
Fees and scholarships
Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and assessment and some student amenities.
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.
Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?
If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.
As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of research trips in the UK and overseas. In addition, you should consider the more general costs below:
Access to research material that is not available via university resources
Printing and binding a personal copy of your dissertation
Robe hire for your degree ceremony
Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.
Explore how language evolves with the world around us.
Why study with us?
Since 1983, Warwick Applied Linguistics has built a strong reputation for supporting postgraduate students. We inspire you to relate your own experiences and learning to real-world issues and context-related challenges - from teaching and learning of English, to how cultures, identities, markets and more shape, and are shaped by, communication.
You’ll be taught and supervised by research active staff with internationally recognised expertise in areas such as intercultural business communication, digital media, professional and workplace communication, language analysis, sociolinguistics, exploratory action research and language teacher education. Join a thriving community of ambitious students encouraged to think and work creatively.
On our campus-based postgraduate programmes develop your knowledge and skills in learning spaces designed to help you actively engage with ideas. The Applied Linguistics team is based in the Social Sciences building - close to the Library, Arts Centre and main lecture theatres - placing you at the centre of Warwick’s vibrant academic community. You’ll also have access to a common room that provides space for social and collaborative engagement with other students beyond the classroom.
Life at Warwick
This is where your journey begins. Our campus is the heart of it all. It’s more than just a campus - it's the places you visit, the people you meet, the fun that you have; the experiences you have here will be transformative.
Within a close-knit community of staff and students from all over the world, discover a campus alive with possibilities.
Our campus is where all the elements of your student experience come together in one place. You won't be short of ways to spend your time on campus - whether it's visiting Warwick Arts Centre, using our incredible sports facilities, socialising in our bars, nightclub and cafés, or enjoying an open-air event. Or if you need some peace and quiet, you can explore lakes, woodland and green spaces just a few minutes’ walk from central campus.
Follow our students around campus on our social channels to see their experiences first-hand.
Teaching facilities
Our campus is designed to cater for all of your learning needs. You will benefit from a variety of flexible, well-equipped study spaces and teaching facilities across the University.
Oculus, our outstanding learning hub, houses state-of-the-art lecture theatres and innovative social learning and network areas
Different study spaces offering you flexible individual and group study spaces, computers, printing and scanning facilities, multimedia resources and more
Supporting you
Our continuous support network is here to help you adjust to student life and to ensure you can easily access advice on many different issues. These may include managing your finances and workload, and settling into shared accommodation. We also have specialist disability and mental health support teams.
Whether you live on campus or off campus, in private accommodation in the well-serviced local area, you’ll be part of a community to get the most from your experience at Warwick.
Societies and sports play a huge part in community life at Warwick. With over 300 to choose from, getting involved is one of the easiest ways to make friends and share in experiences. Whether you’re into films, martial arts, astronomy, gaming or musical theatre, you can instantly connect with people with similar interests.
Your university experience is defined by far more than your course or the career path you follow. At Warwick, it’s where you discover who you could become.
68th
Warwick is ranked 68th in the world and top 10 in all major UK league tables
Our alumni community still call Warwick home. From a few hundred in 1965 to more than 310,000 alumni, and it's ever-growing.
As Warwick graduates, our students have access to employability support for two years after graduation, including access to careers appointments, job vacancies and professional networks.
Applications for courses starting in academic year 2026/27 are now open.
For research courses that start in September and October 2027, the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2027.
For courses starting at other times of year we recommend that you submit your application a minimum of 3 months prior to your intended start date.
This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK if required. We will still accept late applications, however cannot guarantee that the application will be processed in time to complete the admissions process if received late or there are a number of conditions to meet.
If applying late please include your degree certificates and transcripts, English proficiency evidence (if needed) and ensure referees can submit references promptly to allow time for CAS and visa processing (if applicable).
This information is applicable for 2027 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our web page 'Important information to consider before making an application' in advance of applying to Warwick.
Next steps
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