Applied Linguistics and Bilingualism: ESRC Wales Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS) PhD Scholarship in the Applied Linguistics and Bilingualism pathway (RS712)
Closing date: 11 December 2024
Key Information
Funding provider(s): ESRC WGSSS 50%; Swansea University 50%
Subject area(s): WGSSS ESRC studentship Applied Linguistics and Bilingualism pathway
Project start date(s): 1 October 2025 (Enrolment open from mid-September)
Supervisors:
This studentship is an ‘open’ award. Applicants should consider approaching Dr Vivienne Rogers before submitting their application to confirm that there is appropriate supervisory capacity within the University and to discuss their draft application. Information on the research interests of our staff can be found on the Swansea University webpages. Short descriptions of each accredited pathway are available on the ESRC Wales DTP website.
The Swansea-based representative for the pathway, Dr Vivienne Rogers, might be able to advise you.
Pathway Lead: Dr Vivienne Rogers
Aligned programme of study: PhD in Applied Linguistics
Mode of study: Full or part-time study is possible.
Please note that full-time ESRC studentship award holders cannot hold either a full-time job, permanent part-time job or temporary role for an extended period of time, during the period of their award. Part-time ESRC studentship award holders cannot hold a full-time job.
Project description:
Prospective students are invited to propose a research topic for doctoral study in the language-related areas of expertise of staff in Applied Linguistics. Broadly, these areas include research that addresses:
- bilingualism/multilingualism
- second language acquisition
- lexical studies
- and/or the structure, meaning and use of language in linguistics, psycho- and sociolinguistics, discourse analysis, psychology, sociology, language technology and education.
Supervision can also be held jointly with colleagues in Welsh, Modern Languages, Translation, Psychology and Education.
PhD students in Applied Linguistics will have access to our new Eyetracking lab and specialist software including subscriptions to gorilla.sc and qualtrics. Students will also become members of the Language Research Centre – an interdisciplinary research centre encompassing language related research across the university.
For advice on the suitability of a topic, please email Dr Vivienne Rogers (v.e.rogers@swansea.ac.uk). It is strongly recommended that applicants contact Dr Rogers before submitting their application to confirm that there is a) appropriate supervisory capacity within the university on the chosen topic, b) to be put in contact with that potential supervisor and c) to discuss their draft application.
Duration of study: The duration of study is dependent on prior research experience and training needs which will be assessed by completing an Initial Development Needs Analysis (Initial DNA) at the application stage and a Full DNA prior to award if successful.
Duration of study may vary from 3.5-4.5 years, full-time (or part-time equivalent) dependent on your prior research experience. Swansea University, in conjunction with colleagues in the WGSS, will undertake an assessment of the successful applicant’s training needs and work with them to tailor the training they are offered to meet their research needs. This might take the form a full master's course, or might be comprised of individual courses designed to enhance skills required for their chosen area of study.
Research in practice placement: All WGSSS funded students are required to complete a funded Research in Practice placement of 3-months in total (or part-time equivalent). All students will have the opportunity to complete a placement in academia, policy, business or civil society organisations.
Eligibility
To receive ESRC studentship funding, you must have qualifications or experience equal to an honours degree at a first or upper second-class level, or a masters from a UK academic research organisation.
Students with non-traditional academic backgrounds are also welcome to apply.
WGSSS studentships are available to home and international students. Up to 30% of our cohort can comprise international students. International students will not be charged the fee difference between the UK and international rate. Applicants should satisfy the UKRI eligibility requirements.
The WGSSS is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive environment for all. We welcome applications from all members of the global community irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.
We welcome applications for both full and part-time study.
English Language: IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 6.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.
If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in.
Funding
The studentship funded by the ESRC covers tuition fees and an annual tax-free living stipend in line with UKRI minimum rates (currently £19,237 for 2024/25).
If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) on top of your studentship.
Students also have access to a Research Training Support Grant, worth up to £940 per year.
How to Apply
To apply, please complete your application online with the following information:
-
Course choice – please select as per preferred mode of study, either:(Full Time) / 3 Years / OctoberOr(Part Time) Applied Linguistics / PhD / Part-time / 6 Years / October
In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this event, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.
- Start year – please select 2025
- Funding (page 8) –
- ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No
- ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS712 - WGSSS 14'
*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.
One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.
NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form. Please click the following link to complete your EDI Monitoring Form:
As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):
Please include the following documents with your application:
- WGSSS Application Form
- Academic CV (two pages maximum)
- 2 academic or professional references (candidates must approach referees themselves and include references with their application. The reference must detail the applicant’s research strengths).
- Degree certificates and Transcripts (including translations if applicable)
- If relevant, proof of English Language Competency (see institutional requirements for entry)
- Confirmation of submission of EDI Form
Assessment:
Applicants are reminded to submit all relevant documents (transcripts, supporting statement, etc) by the deadline. Due to the volume of applications received, incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application deadline: 11th December 2024
Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview. Interviews are expected to take place in January and February 2025. As part of the interview process, applicants will be asked to give a short presentation and answer a series of panel questions consistent with previous practice on the pathway during the Wales DTP and guided by the WGSSS’s commitments on EDI.
Interviews may be held in person but should also be available through Zoom/Teams for all students who wish to participate in that way.
Most applicants can expect to hear the outcome of their interview within 10-12 weeks.
Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Dr Vivienne Rogers (v.e.rogers@swansea.ac.uk / +44 1792 606737.
*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.