Linguistics (Third Level)

Study programme: Linguistics
Main fields of study: Linguistics
Name of the qualification: Doctor`s degree
Qualification title: Doctor of Sciences
Qualification abbreviation: Ph.D.
Final examination: no

ECTS coordinator: prof.dr. Iztok Arčon

Programme description

The Ph.D. program in Linguistics at UNG provides high quality training of young researchers in Linguistics in the context of contemporary Cognitive Science. The program curriculum is based on the scientific thesis that the endowment for language is encoded in the human biological make-up as a system with computational properties. As such, the program emphasizes integration of analytical tools of modern formal theoretical linguistics and methods of experimental sciences such as psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics which concern themselves with studying the psychological and neurological reality of language.

The program provides students with solid education in the core areas of formal linguistic theory: syntax, semantics, and phonology in the framework of generative grammar. The curriculum consists of required coursework, along with the writing and oral defence of a dissertation. Ph.D. level courses in the core areas are taught by the program faculty. In addition, the program offers a selection of courses in current trends in phonology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, psycho- and neurolinguistics, and computational linguistics, taught by leading international researchers. These will take the form of mini-courses or block-seminars. The students are actively involved in research from the very outset of their doctoral training in collaboration with the various faculty members of the program.

Admission requirements

Applicants for the Ph.D. program in Linguistics should normally have a Masters degree (at least 120 ECTS) in the fields of Linguistics, classical philology, modern languages, or various humanities that include linguistics in their curricula.

Applicants with a Masters degree in other fields of study (120 ECTS) should write to the School of Humanities' study program committee, who will determine their eligibility and also which additional exams the applicants may need to take before enrollment. Exams are worth 10-60 ECTS. Candidates may take the exams during their Master’s study in their institution or just before the beginning of their Ph.D studies, as a prerequisite for enrollment.

Applicants who have obtained Bachelor degrees with a total of 240 ECTS in the relevant fields may also apply to this program. Individual assessment of candidate's exams, ranging up to 60 ECTS, is done upon his/her enrollment.

All others should write to the School's study program committee, who will assess each case individually and determine the number of eligible ECTS (maximum up to 60 ECTS).

Applicants are selected on the basis of their success in their previous education

For further information, please go to: http://sabotin.ung.si/~jezik/

Educational and professional goals

The program educates scientists that can successfully continue their scientific career in an academic or research organization or in the industry. Graduates from this program are educated to perform the following kinds of activities:

• academic and research work in the area of linguistics, psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics
• work in applied linguistics that can be used in high-tech and IT companies, including language technologies, language engineering etc.
• professional work in media, editorial houses and governmental offices.

A graduate from this program should have a good overview over the scientific approach to linguistics and areas linguistics most commonly works with, and a very detailed knowledge of a particular area of linguistics he specializes in. Graduates from this program are able to conduct individual research in any area of linguistics, especially in their chosen area of specialization, apply for and lead research projects in the topic of their specialization, and use their acquired linguistics knowledge in practice.

Access to further studies

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Examination and assessment regulations

The syllabus has a research orientation. It covers all the major subfields of linguistics. The program curriculum includes mandatory subjects, elective subjects, individual research and a doctoral thesis. Some courses are one semester long, others may be short and intensive courses.

The program is based on a system that defines the required number of credit points for each degree and leaves the choice of the subjects to student and his/her mentor.

Doctoral degree candidates must complete the following study requirements:

• all required exams,
• research required by the program, and
• successful defense of the doctoral thesis.

Grades are given on the basis of written or oral exams or term-papers with a mandatory in-class presentation.

Finally, the student completes the study program with a successful public defense of the doctoral thesis.

Course structure diagram

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