Overview

Our research engages with English Language and Linguistics, focusing on written and spoken English language from medieval times to the present day.

Glasgow has a long-established, international reputation for the historical study of English, linking the best of philological, literary-critical and linguistic traditions with those of contemporary linguistic theory. We are a leading player in contemporary English language and linguistics, using quantitative analysis of large online corpora as well as qualitative research in a variety of genres to identify and interpret language use across a wide range of contemporary spoken and written data.

Glasgow’s historic strengths in the study of Scots and English in Scotland have been enhanced by the recent development of innovative large-scale collaborative projects. Our provision in the area of medieval English Language is closely associated with Medieval and Renaissance Studies at Glasgow, one of the largest concentrations of its kind in the UK. We have strong interdisciplinary research links with other subjects at Glasgow; recent collaborations include Psychology, Computing Science, Mathematics and Statistics, Celtic and Gaelic, and Education, in addition to our traditional links with English and Scottish Literature. Glasgow is one of the world’s leading centres of excellence for Digital Humanities, and many of our projects have a substantial digital element.

Research themes

• English language and linguistics
• Historical English language, literature and medieval studies – including manuscript studies, codicology, textual and editing, literary and gender criticism, historical linguistics
• Contemporary English linguistics, including phonetics and phonology, morphology, semantics, text analysis, sociolinguistics and onomastics 
• Scottish language, including written literary Scots, speech in Scotland and translation studies

Please note that we do not accept applications for PhD topics in Applied Linguistics to this degree. Instead, you should apply to our dedicated PhD in Applied Linguistics. Applications to this English Language & Linguistics degree to work with our Applied Linguistics team will be rejected, and you will be asked to apply to the Applied Linguistics route.

Study options

PhD

• Duration: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time
• Thesis length: 70,000-100,000 words, including references, bibliography and appendices (other than documentary appendices).

A Doctor of Philosophy may be awarded to a student whose thesis is an original work making a significant contribution to knowledge in, or understanding of, a field of study and normally containing material worthy of publication.

MLitt (Research)

• Duration: 2 years full-time; 3 years part-time
• Thesis length: 40,000-70,000 words (including references, bibliography and appendices).

Our Degree of Master of Letters (Research) requires you to undertake a postgraduate course of special study and research that represents a distinct contribution to knowledge.

MPhil (Research)

• Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
• Thesis length: 30,000-40,000 words (including references and bibliography).

A Master of Philosophy (Research) requires you to undertake a postgraduate course of special study and research that represents a distinct contribution to knowledge.

MRes

• Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
• Thesis length: 20,000-30,000 words (including references, bibliography and appendices).

Our Master of Research includes both taught and research elements. You will be required to undertake 60 to 80 credits worth of taught courses as well as independent study which represents some contribution to knowledge.

Distance Learning

It may be possible to undertake a postgraduate research degree (with the exception of MRes) in the College of Arts and Humanities by distance learning. If you wish to explore this option, you should discuss it initially with your proposed supervisor.

• Postgraduate research by distance learning