PhD

Linguistics

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Foreign:$ 8.8 k / Year(s) Deadline: Jan 15, 2026
200 place StudyQA ranking:2650 Duration:4 years

Photos of university / #myucalgary

The Department of Linguistics, Languages, and Cultures at the University of Calgary offers PhD programs in linguistics, under the supervision of our prestigious faculty whose research covers the core areas of theoretical linguistics, including syntax, phonology, phonetics and morphology. Our faculty also have a strong research tradition in language processing, historical linguistics, and first and second language acquisition.

A student is assigned a supervisor on admission to the program based on the stated research interests of the student, the disciplinary expertise of faculty members and Departmental capacity. This faculty member commits to supervising the student’s thesis and to advising and mentoring the student. Since research interests can change while in program, students are free to select a different supervisor after admission to program but will normally finalize supervisory arrangements by the end of the second term of study (usually April) and must finalize supervisory arrangements by the end of the second annual registration. When a student wishes to change supervisor, that choice must be made by mutual agreement between the student and the faculty member concerned, in consultation with the Graduate Program Director.

Once the student has finalized the choice of a thesis supervisor, a supervisory committee is struck. It will normally consist of the supervisor and two other faculty members from the Department. One of the two members of this committee may be external to the department. It is desirable to have at least one committee member with supervisory experience at the doctoral level. The supervisory committee must be recommended by the Graduate Program Director and be approved by the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies no later than three months after supervisory arrangements are finalized. This will normally be during the summer of the first year of study, but no later than the third month following the second annual registration. The responsibility for organizing the supervisory committee lies with the supervisor but it should be constituted in consultation with the student.

  • Advanced Syntactic Analysis
  • Advanced Phonological Analysis
  • Introduction to Graduate Studies in Linguistics

Requirements

  • A Master's degree in Linguistics, or a Master's degree in a related field with significant training in linguistics at the graduate level, normally including at least one graduate course in syntax and one graduate course in phonology.
  • A Grade Point Average of at least 3.4 over the Master's program, or equivalent. 
  • For applicants required to provide proof of proficiency in English, a minimum IELTS score of 7.0; OR a minimum TOEFL score of 560 (paper-based), 83 (Internet-based test); AND a minimum score of 5.0 on the Test of Written English (TWE); OR a MELAB score of 80; OR a PTE score of 59.
  • A statement of purpose specifying the applicant’s research interests and reasons for wishing to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Calgary.
  • A sample of previous work in linguistics or a related field (e.g., a seminar paper or Master of Arts thesis).
  • Three reference letters.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

  • ✔️ Flexible study schedule
  • ✔️ Experienced teachers
  • ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Scholarships

  • Graduate Research Scholarships (GRS)
  • Graduate Assistantship Teaching (GA(T))
  • Graduate Assistantship Research (GA(NT))
  • Graduate Assistantship Trust (GATrust)
  • Graduate Teaching Fellowship (GTF)
  • Faculty of Graduate Studies Awards (FGS)
  • Alberta Ingenuity Awards
  • Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Fellowships
  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Postgraduate Scholarships 
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