Call for Applications for the Doctorate (PhD) in TESOL

The University of Nicosia announces the opening of seven positions for admission to the Doctorate (PhD in TESOL) for the Fall semester of the academic year 2021-2022.

The programme aims to meet the increasing demand for specialists and researchers in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages in schools, universities, government, and other organisations throughout the world. The doctoral programme is a PhD programme by Coursework and Thesis that aims to enhance the ability of ESL/EFL teachers, teacher educators, researchers, and curriculum/materials developers to create, conceptualize, design and implement a substantial research project that generates new knowledge and contributes to theory and practice within the field of TESOL.

How to Apply

For academic information related to the doctorate programme, contact the PhD TESOL programme coordinator Dr Christine Savvidou via email at [email protected].

The application must be submitted only via the online procedure available at https://www.unic.ac.cy/apply.

The specific aims of the programme are to:

• Develop students’ in-depth understanding and critical analysis of current literature and research methodology in the field of TESOL;
• Provide students with a critical awareness of current problems and debates within the field, and enhance their skills in critical evaluation of theoretical and empirical literature relevant to TESOL and their area of specialization.
• Provide students with the research skills and competencies to be able to undertake an original and significant research project that merits publication in the field of TESOL.
• Develop students’ skills in communicating TESOL-related research knowledge to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Enable students to make a significant and original contribution to the field of TESOL through the advancement of scholarly knowledge and professional practice.
• Enable students to become autonomous and expert researchers in the field of TESOL with an understanding of the quality of research required for potential peer-reviewed publications.

The programme is offered in English.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES

1. Accredited Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline (e.g.  Humanities, Social Sciences and Education)
2. Accredited Master’s degree in TESOL, or Applied Linguistics, or English Language/ Linguistics
3. Teaching experience: at least one year
4. English language proficiency
   • IELTS 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each of the skills.
   • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): Grade B
   • Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): Grade A
   • Pearson Test of English (Academic): 67 with a minimum of 60 in each of the four skills
   • TOEFL-Internet Based Test: total 100 (at least 23 in each module).
5. Applicants must submit an application form for admission and enrolment to the programme. The application form requests general information about the applicant, their qualifications, relevant experience etc.
6. Initial Research Proposal: Proposal: An initial proposal (2,000-2,500 words, excluding references) outlining the research topic, aims and objectives, research questions and proposed research methodology as follows:
   • Title
   • Literature review (brief)
   • Identifications of gaps in existing literature and rationale for proposed research
   • Aims and objectives
   • Research hypotheses
   • Research methodology
   • Ethical Considerations (if applicable)
   • Time plan for completion
   • References
7. Statement of Purpose: Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive outline highlighting their academic and individual competencies and state why they believe they are suitable for admission to the programme, as well as their reflections regarding the expectations and value of the programme for their personal advancement and career development.
8. Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must obtain two recommendation letters from individuals who have known the applicant in an educational and/or professional environment. At least one of the recommendation letters must be from an academic institution where the applicant has studied previously.
9. Previous theses/dissertations and any published work of academic relevance (if any).
10. Individual Interviews: The Department Doctoral Programme Committee may decide whether to hold an individual interview of the applicant prior to deciding. The Department Doctoral Programme Committee, having examined the applicant’s suitability against the entry criteria, having reviewed the application and interviewed the applicant, will determine his or her suitability and the appropriateness of their initial proposal.

Final Evaluation: In view of the limited number of applicants to be admitted to the programme, the Department Doctoral Programme Committee will decide on the basis of merit and by evaluating specific criteria who are the most suitable candidates to be admitted to the programme. The Committee will exercise its judgment, taking into account the overall quality, merit and feasibility of the research proposal, the fit between the proposal and faculty research interests, the quality of the prior research work of the candidate and the candidate’s academic and other relevant qualifications as included in the curriculum vitae and the applicant’s performance during the individual interview.