The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) is University of Malaya’s premier research training degree. The pinnacle of academic achievement at University of Malaya, the Ph.D is awarded based on the foundation of the thesis prepared under supervision, resulting in an original and significant contribution, displaying extensive knowledge and comprehension of the subject and field of study.

Evaluated by independent experts using current and internationally accepted standards, the University’s Ph.D programme produces human capital, which is not only intellectual and skilful in modern technology but also very versatile and able to handle problems in real life situations. Ph.D. students will carry out focused research in their area of specialisation, which is of immediate relevance to local interest. Additionally, they will be alert to the challenges faced in the international arena through the media, seminars, conferences and keynote addresses, and also through research attachments and collaborative exchange arrangements with internationally recognised research centres.

The Ph.D programme is more than just an academic distinction. The programme is designed to ensure the fields of study remain relevant to the needs of today. At the same time, the candidates in pursuit of their Ph.D degrees foresee the changes of societal and industry standards, trends and behavioural patterns; the very same qualities that make them brilliant and effective leaders.
Learning Outcomes for Doctoral Degree by Research

The faculty offers supervision in numerous core research areas which include:

1.      COGNITIVE LINGUISTICS
2.      COMPUTER ASSISTED LANGUAGE LEARNING AND INSTRUCTION
3.      CORPUS LINGUISTICS
4.      CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS (This area is temporarily closed due to maximum number of candidates)
5.      DEVELOPMENTAL LINGUISTICS
6.      ETHNOLINGUISTICS
7.      GENRE ANALYSIS
8.      HISTORICAL LINGUISTICS
9.      HUMAN COMMUNICATION DISORDERS (This area is temporarily closed due to maximum number of candidates)
10.    LANGUAGE LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
11.    LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
12.    LANGUAGE FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES
13.    LEXICOLOGY
14.    MORPHOLOGY
15.    PHONETICS AND PHONOLOGY
16.    PRAGMATICS
17.    PSYCHOLINGUISTICS
18.    SEMANTICS
19.    SEMIOTICS
20.    SOCIOLINGUISTICS
21.    DISCOURSE ANALYSIS
22.    STYLISTICS
23.    SYNTAX
24.     FUNCTIONAL LINGUISTICS (This area is temporarily closed due to maximum number of candidates)
25.    TRANSLATION STUDIES
26.    WORLD ENGLISHES