Course details

Summary

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is awarded by the University for research carried out under the supervision of at least two staff members. A PhD can also be presented as a PhD with Publication or a PhD with a Creative Practice Component. The research, which must be the candidate's own work, is written up as a thesis, and may include papers published or intended to be published. The thesis is required to present the case for the research, outline the research undertaken and the findings and conclusions of that research. There is no course work for this degree.

Linguistics is the scientific study of language and, given that language impinges on virtually everything we do, it is a broad and interesting subject. Linguistics at the University of Waikato is a top 250 QS-rated programme and will deepen your appreciation for language, as well as provide essential understandings relevant to any career where language is a key component. By studying Linguistics, you'll gain an inner working knowledge of language design and organisation. You'll learn about different sounds, words and clause structures, and how they work in world languages. You'll explore different cultures and societies to see how linguistic behaviour changes by location, as well as in various situations. Your Linguistics studies will also give you a commanding understanding of the English language which can lead to careers in journalism, free-lance writing or academia.

Career Opportunities

• Education Researcher
• Journalist
• Language Policy and Planning
• Language School Management
• Lexicography (Dictionary Writing)
• Second Language Teaching
• Speech Therapist
• Writer

Entry criteria

A bachelors with honours or masters degree with a research component of at least 30 points and have achieved at least Second Class Honours (First Division) or Distinction.

English Language Requirements

an IELTS Overall score of at least 6.5 overall (including at least 6.0 or better in the Writing band), or an iBT (Internet Based TOEFL) score of 90 with a Writing score of 22, or a B grade or better at Level 8 in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English, or an overall score of C (with at least a C in the Writing band) in the Foundation Certificate in English for Academic Purposes, or a PTE Academic overall score of 65 with no less than 58 for each communicative skill.