Pioneering programme in teacher education
Nebrija University presents its new PhD programme, called PhD in Linguistics applied to Language Teaching, which arises in a scientific, economic and social context characterised by the need to develop the multilingual competence of citizens.
In this sense, the programme aims to develop its line of research in linguistics applied to teaching by focusing on the following topics: Language acquisition and language learning, Sociolinguistics and Pragmatics of languages, Language policies and their relationship with the learning of second or foreign languages or the bilingual condition, Corpus Linguistics, Evaluation and certification of linguistic competence or professional applications of the multilingual condition.
Quality
Official qualification: Doctorate in Applied Linguistics to Language Teaching
Faculty or school responsible: Doctoral School
Number of places available: 10 places per year
Application deadline: 1 Sept to 15 Oct
Enrolment: 21 Oct to 22 Nov
Start date: January 2027
Languages: Spanish and English
Duration: 4 or 7 years
Access to the doctoral programme
The admission requirements for the Ph.D. program are detailed in the following section and are established by the applicable legislation. Therefore, any applicant who meets these requirements is legally eligible for admission to the program. Nevertheless, the recommended applicant profiles are outlined below, as they are more closely aligned with the priority research areas established within the program:
The recommended profile is that of applicants who enter the Ph.D. program after completing an official University Master's Degree in Applied Linguistics for Language Teaching. Students who have completed the University Master's Degree in Spanish as a Foreign Language: Teaching and Research or the University Master's Degree in Bilingual Education offered by the Department of Applied Languages at Nebrija University are eligible for admission, as their master's theses will already have been aligned with the research areas of the Ph.D. program. Applicants who have completed any other official Master's Degree in Applied Linguistics for Language Teaching, Language Acquisition, Bilingualism, or related disciplines, regardless of the university where the degree was obtained, may also be admitted, provided that the program requires a research-oriented master's thesis.
A second eligible profile consists of applicants who have completed an official Master's Degree in another branch of linguistics, preferably with a master's thesis focused on a research area related to those covered by this Ph.D. program. In such cases, applicants may be required to complete supplementary training in research methodology in applied linguistics, depending on any gaps in their academic preparation identified by the Ph.D. Program's Academic Committee.
A third eligible profile consists of applicants holding university qualifications obtained under the system preceding Royal Decree 1393/2007 (Licenciado degrees). In these cases, admitted applicants must also complete any supplementary training required by the Ph.D. Program's Academic Committee.
In addition, all applicants seeking admission to the research stage leading to the preparation of a doctoral dissertation must:
Demonstrate that they have acquired the research competencies associated with the research track of the Master's Degree in Spanish as a Foreign Language: Teaching and Research. Applicants who did not complete this degree at Nebrija University must submit the curriculum of their master's program, their academic transcript, a letter of introduction from their master's thesis supervisor, and a PDF copy of their master's thesis.
Research initiation competencies required for admission (MECES Level 3):
Develop independent learning skills that support lifelong learning and an introduction to research in Applied Linguistics for Language Teaching, demonstrating the ability to plan, manage, and evaluate their own learning process.
Demonstrate respect for fundamental rights and equality, incorporating these principles into academic work and collaborative learning, while adhering to the standards of scientific ethics and integrity applicable to research in the field.
Integrate and apply specialized knowledge through the identification, critical analysis, and use of information from research studies, academic publications, and specialized forums related to the field, demonstrating the ability to undertake initial research based on specialized sources.
Demonstrate C1 proficiency in the language that is the subject of their research (Spanish for Applied Linguistics for Spanish Language Teaching and English for Applied Linguistics for English Language Teaching), as well as B2 proficiency in the language of instruction used for any required supplementary training and academic training activities. DELE or SIELE B2/C1 certification examinations are accepted as proof of Spanish proficiency, while B2/C1 certificates officially recognized by ACLES are accepted as proof of English proficiency. Applicants who do not hold any of these certificates may have their language proficiency assessed through a Spanish or English placement test administered by Nebrija University during the admissions process.
Complete a personal interview with the Academic Coordinator of the Ph.D. program.
Previous teaching experience, particularly in foreign language teaching, is highly recommended, although it is not mandatory for admission to this Ph.D. program.
Organisation
According to Royal Decree 576/2023, of 4 July, which amends Royal Decree 99/2011, of 28 January, which regulates official doctoral studies:
- Full-Time Students:
The duration of doctoral studies will be a maximum of four years full-time, counting from the date of enrolment of the doctoral student in the programme until the date of deposit of the doctoral thesis. (Before the end of the aforementioned period, if the application for deposit of the thesis has not been submitted, the academic committee responsible for the programme, at the request of the doctoral student, may authorise the extension of this period for a further year, under the conditions that have been established in the corresponding doctoral programme). - Part-time students:
The academic committee responsible for the doctoral programme may authorise part-time doctoral studies. In order to apply for this modality, candidates will have to accredit some kind of work activity. In this case, such studies may have a maximum duration of seven years from the date of enrolment in the programme until the date of submission of the doctoral thesis. (Before the end of this period, if the application for submission of the thesis has not been submitted, the academic committee responsible for the programme, at the request of the doctoral student, may authorise the extension of this period for a further year, under the conditions established in the corresponding doctoral programme).
Teachers
Definition and structure
The Academic Committee of the doctoral programme is made up of:
All members of the committee shall hold a doctoral degree and shall form part of the research team of the doctoral programme's verified report.
Agreements
Brazil
Paraiba Federal University: Academic collaboration and exchange.
State University of Brazil: International co-supervision agreement.
Brazil
Paraiba Federal University: Academic collaboration and exchange.
State University of Brazil: International co-supervision agreement.
XVIII Plurilingual Classroom on Environment at Nebrija University
This meeting, organised by the Faculty of Languages and Education, in its interest to promote the use of foreign languages in different areas of society and business, aims to make the university community aware of the importance of the commitment that we all have to assume due to our commitment to the construction of a Europe in which its citizens make efforts of intercomprehension.
