PhD TESOL Research

at University of Stirling

Modules

The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2021). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
 

Year 1, Autumn semester

Compulsory module

• Research Design in TESOL (TESPR01)    20 credits
   

Compulsory module

• Quantitative Data Analysis (ASRP004)    20 credits

Option module
 

Select 20 credits from PhD TESOL autumn options list

• Nature of Educational Enquiry (EDRP001)    20 credits
• Grammar for TESOL (TESP004)    20 credits
   

Year 1, Spring semester

Compulsory module

• Approaches in Discourse Analysis (TESPR02)    20 credits
   

Compulsory module

• Qualitative Data Analysis (ASRP005)    20 credits

Option module
 

Select 20 credits from PhD TESOL spring options list

• Theory & Methods of Digital Social Research (EDRP002)    20 credits
• Sociolinguistics: Varieties of English (LINPP04)    20 credits
   

Year 1, Summer semester

Compulsory module

• TESOL Research Practice (TESPR03)    60 credits
   

Year 2, Autumn semester

Compulsory module

• TESOL Thesis (TESPR04)    360 credits

Academic requirements

You should usually have a minimum of a Masters degree in TESOL, Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, Languages or similar subject from a university in the United Kingdom or elsewhere (provided that the degree levels are comparable to those in the UK).
 

We also welcome enquiries from you if you don’t have this formal qualification but have relevant research experience through your professional practice. In this case, you’ll be asked to undertake a task to demonstrate your research skills.
 

Irrespective of your academic background, you’re expected to have excellent language and numeracy skills and a willingness to engage with the research field in TESOL.
 

English language requirements
 

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

• IELTS Academic or UKVI 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each sub-skill
• Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 185 overall with a minimum of 176 in each sub-skill
• Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 185 overall with a minimum of 180 in each sub-skill
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) 67 overall with a minimum of 62 in each sub-skill
• IBT TOEFL 94 overall with 19 in reading, 24 in writing, 20 in listening and 22 in speaking
• IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition Test 94 overall with 19 in reading, 24 in writing, 20 in listening and 22 in speaking
• Trinity ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
• Aptis (4 skills) CEFR C1 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
• Duolingo 115 overall with minimum of 105 in each sub-skill
• LanguageCert International ESOL C1 Expert - Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill
   

Undergraduate
 

Direct Entry to 1st Year:
 

Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 65% and above from the following state boards:

• CBSE
• ISC/ICSE
• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

Students from other state boards will require Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75%.
 

Advanced Entry to 2nd Year:
 

Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75% and above from the following state boards:

• CBSE
• ISC/ICSE
• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

Advanced entry is possible on a range of courses. Student applications will be considered on a case by case basis.
 

Please note that advanced entry options for students who have scored 35 in the International Baccalaureate or GCE A-Levels ABB in one sitting will also be considered on a case by case basis.
 

Postgraduate

Students who score 70% in English in Year 12 from the following exam boards won't be required to submit IELTS, if studied within 5 years of our course start date:

• CBSE
• ISC/ICSE
• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

Students from other state boards will either need 80% in English if studied within 5 years of the course start date, or a UKVI SELT, IELTS Academic or PTE Academic, depending on the state board, taken within 2 years of our course start date.
 

Students who meet the above criteria, but Year 12 scores are between 6 and 10 years old, will also be required to submit an official letter from their university or college, stating that the medium of instruction (MOI) was in English, and confirming graduation is within 5 years of our course start date.

Overseas (non-EU) students

2022/23 - £12,550

Course fees

Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.

• If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
• If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
   

Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
 

European Union and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.

There are thousands of qualified teachers of English to speakers of other languages worldwide but only a small proportion of these practitioners are able to conduct high-quality systematic research in TESOL. Your PhD in TESOL research will equip you with much needed research skills, allowing you to produce research which is at the forefront of education. The PhD degree will open up numerous possibilities for furthering your professional and academic career.