Modern Languages, Ph.D.

COURSE OVERVIEW

A PhD or MPhil in Modern Languages enables you to undertake a substantial project led by your own passions and interests.

It represents a highly respected qualification which can present a pathway to a career in academia, or widen your scope for employment in fields such as education, government or the private sector.

The PhD takes three years full-time or six years part-time, and the MPhil takes two years full-time or four years part-time.

You submit a thesis of up to 100,000 words for PhD assessment and 60,000 words for MPhil assessment, demonstrating a significant contribution to the subject area. This is followed by an oral examination of the thesis (a viva voce examination, or viva).

In both programmes you will conduct original research, supervised by our expert, culminating in a thesis that makes an original contribution to our knowledge and understanding of modern languages.

Modern Languages at Swansea encompasses Arabic, Mandarin-Chinese, French, German and Hispanic Studies with research strengths in written culture from the medieval period to the present day, including contemporary European cinema.

We support the following research groups and centres, where many postgraduate research students are based:

• Centre on Digital Arts and Humanities (CODAH)
• Comparative Study of Portugal, Spain and the Americas (CEPSAM)
• Contemporary German Culture (CCGC)
• Gender in Culture and Society (GENCAS)
• Medieval and Early Modern Research (MEMO)

You are closely supervised by two experienced academics with relevant expertise throughout the course of your project. This involves fortnightly meetings in your first term and meetings at regular agreed intervals beyond.

You will develop and hone research skills needed for high-level work in the field of modern languages, while skills and training programmes available on campus provide further support. You will have the opportunity to deliver presentations to research students and staff at departmental seminars, and at the College of Arts and Humanities Postgraduate conference

You may also have the chance to teach undergraduate tutorials and seminars from the second year, for which you receive training and payment. Financial support is also provided (subject to approval) for attending conferences or conducting research away from Swansea.

Career Opportunities

Having a PhD demonstrates that graduates can work effectively in a team, formulate, explore and communicate complex ideas and manage advanced tasks. Jobs in academia (eg postdoctoral research, lecturing), education, government, management, the public or private sector are possible. Examples include administrators, counsellors, marketing specialists, and researchers.

The Postgraduate Research Office Skills Development Team offer support and a training framework for example in creating a researcher profile based upon publications and setting up your own business. The Swansea Employability Academy assists students in future career opportunities, improving CVs, job applications and interview skills.