Online Top Up Degree :: Accredited Universities

We offer promising candidates the opportunity to carry out research in one of the most dynamic institutions in Britain, while remaining in your resident country. Our principal areas of research expertise are Corpus Linguistics, Stylistics and Discourse Studies, and Language Learning and Teaching.

Doing a PhD in Applied Linguistics via Distance mode allows you to study while remaining in your resident country, keeping in contact with your supervisor via email and skype. This is a perfect way to study, especially if you are interested in relating research work to your current professional environment.

Extensive online research training is provided in the first year of the programme and, whilst there is no requirement to spend any time in Birmingham, you are encouraged to visit for short periods, if at all possible. These visits provide valuable opportunities for face-to-face supervision, to meet other PhD students and to make use of the library and other research and training opportunities.

There are two distance learning PhD programmes in English Language and Applied Linguistics. Both programmes involve regular contact with a supervisor by email and/or skype. There is no assessed taught component, but students follow online research training modules.

At Birmingham you also have the option of studying languages, free of charge. Almost no other UK University offers you the opportunity to learn the intense graduate academic language skills which you may need to pursue your research.

Sandwich PhD
The Sandwich programme requires a ‘traditional' 80,000 word thesis. The work is examined at the end of the programme, as with other PhD programmes. Students identify and refine a thesis topic in consultation with their supervisor and send drafts of the various chapters for comment as they work through the programme.

As with all PhDs, progress is monitored throughout the registration period.

Modular PhD
The Modular programme requires 3 modules: 2 shorter research papers (Module 1 - 12,000 words, Module 2 - 20,000 words) and a final thesis of 50,000 words (Module 3). The work is examined in three phases, at the end of each module. The final product (in terms of total quantity and quality of work) is therefore similar to the Sandwich (or full-time) PhD; however the Modular option provides an incremental, continuously assessed route allowing students to progress through explicitly marked stages to a PhD. Students identify a topic they wish to work on and to which all their written work should be related; the nature of the assessment means however that the topic may not be as tightly focused as that in a traditional PhD.

Our principal areas of research include:

Corpus Linguistics – our work in this area incorporates interests in linguistic theory and language description, including descriptive translation and contrastive studies, phraseology and the lexis–grammar interface, and in the application of corpus investigation techniques to areas such as translation, lexicography and diachronic language study. Corpus techniques also underpin much of our work in discourse studies and in language learning and teaching.

Stylistics and Discourse Studies – our work here focuses on themes such as narrative analysis, critical discourse analysis, translation studies and social theory, and on topics such as literary stylistics, workplace discourse, academic discourse, the relationship between language and social class, evaluation, language and new media, everyday creativity, and multi-modal discourse.

Language Learning and Teaching – our work in this area incorporates corpus approaches to phraseology, lexis and grammar, and discourse approaches to academic literacies. This also includes a focus on the teaching and learning of figurative language, collocation, and business English in the context of English as a global language. We also focus on cognitive linguistics and its applications to language learning and teaching.

Entry Requirements

English language requirements for international students
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Students can satisfy our English language requirements in two ways:

by holding an English language qualification to the right level

by taking and successfully completing one of our English courses for international students

Other Fees

Notes

This course is available only in part-time

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This pathway ( MRes - Applied Linguistics) involves substantial research training modules in applied linguistics and in social science generally. The programme provides a wide range of transferable skills relevant to language research, communication skills and to project management. You will also receive a strong grounding in language analysis and choose option modules from a wide range. You are given detailed guidance on the preparation of a research proposal for their 20,000 word dissertation and, later, on the planning of your PhD topic (if you intend to transfer to a research degree).

We offer a range of well-established programmes (one of our Master's programmes dates back to 1975). These offer a wide range of optional modules and flexibility of study type. In addition, they are well-resourced and are staffed by experienced specialists. The Department of English Language and Applied Linguistics is a founding member of the University's Centre for Literacy and Multilingualism.

Distance study students are given specially-written, accessible module course-books, together with additional materials, and have online support via the University's Virtual Learning Environment, promoting contact with tutors and fellow students.

Entry Requirements

A good upper second class degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline, though not necessarily linguistics. Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence with their application of proficiency in the form of an IELTS score of 6.5 (with no sub-test below 6.0), or an equivalent score on another recognised test.

Other Fees

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The School of English at Nottingham has long been at the forefront of research and teaching in the area of applied linguistics.

This web-based MA provides an exciting opportunity to work with several leading world figures and to investigate English language in applied contexts.

You will be introduced to the key ideas and concepts in applied linguistics and provided with thorough training in relevant research methods. This MA is particularly suitable if you wish to pursue a PhD programme after completion of the MA.

The principle of language study that we have established at Nottingham combines theoretical and ideological dimensions with practical applications; we aim to be rigorous and principled while offering an approach to language study that is fundamentally humane.

The MA has intakes in September and February.

Key facts
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The MA courses by web-based distance learning build on the international reputation of the School of English at Nottingham as one of the foremost centres for English Language research in the world.

The Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008 ranked the School of English in the top 5 departments of English nationally by Grade Point Average and out of 87 units of assessment. 95% of the school's research was judged to be of international quality and 35% world-leading.

The School is ranked 44th in the world for English Literature, Language and Linguistics by QS World University Rankings by Subject 2014.

The course is taught using a course tool software called Moodle. It is also supported by extensive online resources, course materials and teaching.

The programme offers an excellent route towards pursuing a PhD.

This MA is convened in the Centre for Research in Applied Linguistics and is among the most popular postgraduate courses of its kind in the UK.

The MA Applied Linguistics is also available as a taught full- or part-time course within the University.

Entry Requirements

2.1(Upper 2nd class hons degree or international equivalent)

IELTS:7.0 (with no less than 6.5 in any element)

TOEFL IBT:100 (with no less than 22 in any element)

Other Fees

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This MA course builds on the international reputation of the School of English at Nottingham as one of the foremost centres for English Language research in the world. The school’s Modern English Language programme provides a broad course of study in language and linguistics.

The principle of language study established at Nottingham combines theoretical and ideological dimensions with practical applications; we aim to be rigorous and principled while offering an approach to language study that is fundamentally humane.

The MA has intakes in September and February.

Key facts
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The MA courses by web-based distance learning build on the international reputation of the School of English at Nottingham as one of the foremost centres for English Language research in the world.

The Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008 ranked the School of English in the top five departments of English nationally by Grade Point Average and out of 87 units of assessment. 95% of the school's research was judged to be of international quality and 35% world-leading.

The School is ranked 44th in the world for English Literature, Language and Linguistics by QS World University Rankings by Subject 2014.

The course is taught using a course tool software called Moodle. It is also supported by extensive online resources, course materials and teaching.

The programme offers an excellent route towards pursuing a PhD.

This MA is convened in the Centre for Research in Applied Linguistics.

As well as completing this course at a pace that suits you and your other commitments, you have the flexibility to study towards a Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits), Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) or an MA (180 credits, including dissertation) or even on a ‘pay per module’ basis.

Entry Requirements

2.1(Upper 2nd class hons degree or international equivalent)

Additionally, This MA requires a minimum of two years of approved teaching experience (or equivalent)

IELTS:7.0 (with no less than 6.5 in any element)

TOEFL IBT:100 (with no less than 22 in any element)

Other Fees

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Designed for working professionals who have completed approximately 60 credits toward a bachelor's degree, the Bachelor of Science in Applied Management degree provides the business knowledge and management skills that are needed in today's organizations. Graduates of the bachelors degree in applied management will be provided with the skills and knowledge needed to work in a variety of industries in a leadership role managing projects, employees or a department.

Students interested in a bachelors degree in applied management will explore functional area topics in financial decision making, human resource management, marketing, innovation and project management. Leadership skills, as they relate to organizational behavior and organizational change, will be studied. Specific emphasis will be placed on servant leadership, which involves being focused on the needs of others in order to create interdependency rather than dependency in organizations.

Upon completing the bachelors degree in applied management, many graduates opt to further their education. GCU offers a variety of master's degrees in business including a master's in business administration (MBA), an MBA/MSL dual degree, an MBA with an emphasis in Leadership, and a Master of Science in Leadership.

Entry Requirements

Applicants interested in earning their bachelor's degree online must meet the following requirement:

High School Transcripts - Applicants are required to submit official high school transcripts with a cumulative, unweighted grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or above.
Applicants holding their GED should refer to the University Policy Handbook for separate requirements.

Transferring from Another College, University or Program
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Applicants with 25 or more transferable credits from an accredited, GCU-approved college, university or program may be accepted to the university if they have an unweighted GPA of 2.25 or above. For more information about our transfer policies, visit GCU's online Transfer Center.

Second Bachelor's Degree
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Applicants who have already earned a bachelor's degree from GCU or another institution but are interested in pursuing a second bachelor's degree may be accepted to the university if they meet the minimum admission standard of an unweighted GPA of 2.0 or above.

Other Fees

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