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MPhil/PhD in Discourse Studies (2025 Entry)

a group of students in a class for MPhil/PhD in Discourse Studies

Postgraduate Research

Find out more about our Discourse Studies MPhil/PhD degree at Warwick

Study any aspect of language, communication and discourse in our MPhil/PhD in Discourse Studies. The University of Warwick's Department of Applied Linguistics, ranked 9th in the UK for Linguistics The Complete University Guide 2024, allows you the freedom to research text and discourse in a variety of professional, academic and social contexts.


Course overview

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.


General entry requirements

Minimum 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.


English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

  • Band B
  • IELTS overall score of 7.0 (with a 7.0 in Writing).

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.


Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Our research

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:

  • Language learning and teaching
  • Working, relating, and adapting across cultures
  • Language teacher education and development
  • Professional and workplace communication
  • Language structure, variation and change

Full details of our research interests are listed on the Applied Linguistics web pages.

You can also read our general University research proposal guidance.

Find a supervisor

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.ukLink opens in a new window.

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.


Research proposals

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.

Tuition fees

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 registration and some student amenities.

Find your research course fees


Fee Status Guidance

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.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status


Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

  • Core text books
  • Printer credits
  • Dissertation binding
  • Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Department content block about careers

Applied Linguistics at Warwick

Apply your learning from day one.

With a history dating back to 1983, Applied Linguistics at Warwick has diversified over the years from a main focus on English language teaching and teacher education to include expertise in areas such as: intercultural communication, professional communication, the sociolinguistics of language use, the teaching and learning of languages other than English.

Find out more about us on our website.


Our Postgraduate Taught courses


Our Postgraduate Research courses

How to apply

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2025 will open on 2 October 2024.

For research courses that start in September and October 2025 the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2025. This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK.

How to apply for a postgraduate research course  

After you’ve applied

Find out how we process your application.

Applicant Portal

Track your application and update your details.

Admissions statement

See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.

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Explore ways to connect with us

We understand how important it is to visit and explore your future university before you apply. That's why we have put together a range of online and in-person options to help you discover more about your course, visit campus, and get a sense of postgraduate life at Warwick. Our events offer includes:

  • Warwick hosted events
  • Postgraduate Fairs
  • Live chats
  • Talk and Tours
  • Department events