English Linguistics

The Doctoral Studies programme in English Linguistics develops the students’ knowledge of linguistic disciplines and prepares them for independent research activity, especially in the fields of pragmatics, sociolinguistics, stylistics, functional syntax, phonology, and translation studies. Students get acquainted with methods of linguistic research, which they then apply in the preparation of their doctoral dissertation.

The basic module of this programme, oriented primarily on traditional theoretical linguistics, is supplemented by two specializations: 1. English - Czech Translation Studies, and 2. Experimental and Applied Linguistics. Both specializations offer a deeper focus on specific problems within translation studies and within experimental and applied research of language, especially the research in the fields of corpus linguistics, language acquisition, and eye-tracking.

Practical training

The program does not require practical training in addition to the practice the students receive when participating in the activities of the department.

Graduates of the Doctoral Studies programme in English Linguistics find employment in positions in the area of humanities that require the holder to use independent critical thinking and be able to demonstrate knowledge of a wide range of linguistic and socio-cultural subjects. They are employed as researchers, university teachers, editors, translators, and in senior positions in organisations operating in areas of the humanities.

Deadline for submitting applications: January 1- April 30

Deadline for submitting documents for the admission procedure: until 15 May.

Documents for the admission procedure:

• signed CV;
• list of publishing activities (if any);
• doctoral thesis project in English (5 pages, including bibliography, indicating the literature and material that the applicant wants to examine);
• a copy of the Master’s thesis in English, including reviews; if the applicant has not written a Master’s thesis in English, they can submit a copy of another longer academic text (Bachelor’s thesis including reviews, article, essay, etc.).

Documents for the admission procedure must be submitted in electronic form to the Department of English and American Studies (hanzalek@phil.muni.cz) and inserted into the e-application (rubric “Documents”) by 15 May. Applicants are required to include their full name and application number on all attached documents. Final theses which are in the IS MU need not be sent.

Entrance examination requirements: The applicant shall study the Prague School of Linguistics (1 book of their choice) for the oral examination and should demonstrate elementary knowledge of general and theoretical linguistics. The entrance examination takes the form of an oral discussion over the doctoral thesis project.

Notice: A poof of completion of a Master’s degree programme (officially certified copy of the diploma, in the case of education obtained abroad also the so-called recognition) shall be submitted by the accepted applicants upon enrolment in the studies. For the entrance examination, a proof of completion of a Master’s degree programme is not required.

Criteria for evaluation

quality and feasibility of the project; the applicant’s orientation in linguistics, especially in the field in which the doctoral thesis is planned; knowledge of the development of the Prague School of Linguistics

• Pass/fail line: 70 points (out of 100).