Linguistics-PhD at Tallinn University

What the program is

The Linguistics PhD at Tallinn University is designed to train researchers and instructors in linguistics. The programme develops advanced skills for independent research, enabling doctoral students to conduct internationally relevant linguistic studies, publish research in high-level scholarly journals, and present their findings at international conferences.

Main field/subject

Linguistics

Main areas of expertise include:

• First language acquisition
• Psycholinguistics
• Cognitive linguistics
• Second language acquisition
• Translation studies
• Sociolinguistics
• Multilingualism and language contacts
• Text linguistics, genre and discourse analysis
• AI and AI-powered assessment, feedback, and personalized learning

Study level

PhD studies (Doctoral)

Teaching language

Estonian

The programme information also states that applicants must provide proof of English proficiency, and not all general courses are offered in English every year.

Duration

4 years (8 semesters)

The official full-time study period is four years. PhD studies consist of coursework and a doctoral thesis, with students developing an individual study plan together with their supervisor.

For summer 2026, the programme lists:

• 1–3 Junior Research Fellow positions — open topic
• 1 Doctoral Student position — open topic
• 1 Junior Research Fellow position — research on the use of AI and AI-powered assessment, feedback, and personalized learning

Admission requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent in linguistics, philology, or a related field.
• Proof of English proficiency.
• A research proposal of approximately 5 pages / 2,500 words, developed in cooperation with and signed by the prospective supervisor.
• The proposal should include the research topic, objectives and research questions, methodology, state of the art, previous relevant research, intended research content, expected results, sources/literature, and a research timeline.
• If the research involves fieldwork, the proposal must describe its scope, duration, and financing.
• Candidates must explain why the proposed research should specifically be conducted at Tallinn University School of Humanities.
• An expanded plan for teaching assignments during the PhD, up to 2 pages, accepted by the prospective supervisor.
• CV, including a list of publications.
• Proof of English proficiency.
• The admission exam is an interview based on the research proposal and submitted documents.
• During the four-year PhD, students are expected to assist in at least three courses or seminars and teach or co-teach at least one course or seminar.
• Admission assessment is based on academic competence (35 points), research proposal (35 points), teaching competence (20 points), and motivation (10 points), for a maximum of 100 points.