Scholarships and Bursaries

Essential Requirements

• Level B2+ (CEFR) or equivalent in written and spoken English
• Honours undergraduate degree (Level 8 NFQ or equivalent) at 2.1 or higher (or equivalent), with a major/minor specialisation in TESOL/ELT, Linguistics, Applied Linguistics or related fields 
• Three years’ language teaching experience
• Strong interest in ELT, TNE, internationalisation, or higher education research.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Desirable Requirements

• A Master's degree (Level 9 NFQ or equivalent) in Applied Linguistics/TESOL or related fields
• Level C1 (CEFR) or equivalent in written and spoken English
• Experience of teaching in international contexts
• Experience in ELT in China or Transnational Education
• Familiarity with the Chinese education context.
• Evidence of academic writing, publication, or professional experience in education.
• Experience conducting qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods research.

An annual stipend of €25,000 for four years.

Full EU tuition fees for the duration of the PhD programme. For non-EU applicants, additional fees may apply based on the difference between EU fees and international fees;

Dr. Elaine Riordan

School of Modern Language & Applied Linguistics

University of Limerick

Email: elaine.riordan@ul.ie

Additional Information

PhD Start Date: 1^st February 2027

Annual Stipend + Full Tuition Fees Covered

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD scholarship for an outstanding candidate interested in investigating contemporary issues in English Language Teaching (ELT) and/or Transnational Education (TNE) in China. This four-year doctoral scholarship offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to internationally significant research examining the evolving landscape of English-medium education, international partnerships, student experiences, and educational innovation within the Chinese higher education sector. The successful candidates will collect and analyse related to the Chinese context in order to investigate an area of their choice related to TNE/ ELT in China. The specific focus of the PhD is flexible.

Scholarship Package

The successful applicant will receive:

• An annual stipend of €25,000 for four years.
• Full EU tuition fees for the duration of the PhD programme. For non-EU applicants, additional fees may apply based on the difference between EU fees and international fees; see UL’s course fees website.
• Opportunities to engage with international research networks and academic collaborators.
• Dedicated supervision from experienced supervisors.
• As part of the package, students will be expected to travel to China (flights and accommodation covered) and teach general and academic English at Limerick International College at Henan Polytechnic University (LICHPU), amounting to approximately 6 hours per week (on average). Students will be expected to teach for 8 weeks in the Autumn and Spring semesters in Henan. 

Potential Research Areas

The PhD project may focus on one or more of the following themes: English Language Teaching practices and policies in Chinese higher education.

• Internationalisation of higher education in China.
• Student and staff experiences within Transnational Education (TNE) partnerships.
• English-Medium Instruction (EMI) and language policy.
• Intercultural communication and global citizenship education.
• Digital and innovative pedagogies in ELT and TNE contexts.
• Quality assurance and student engagement in transnational programmes.

Applicants may propose their own research topic aligned with these themes.

Candidate Profile

We welcome applications from highly motivated individuals who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to educational research.

Application Process

Applicants should submit:

• a cover letter (maximum 750 words) explaining your suitability for undertaking doctoral research, your interest in English Language Teaching (ELT) and/or Transnational Education (TNE) in China, and how your academic background, experience and research interests align with the scholarship. 
• a research statement (maximum 750 words) outlining a potential relevant research topic, identifying possible research questions and potential approaches and methods. Applicants are not expected to submit a fully developed PhD proposal at this stage. 
• a curriculum vitae with details of relevant educational history and/or employment, research experience, skills and training 
• a writing sample (e.g. a chapter from your undergraduate or postgraduate thesis or an academic publication) 
• transcripts of university-level grades (including certified translations in English if obtained in a language other than English). 
• Names and contact details of two academic referees

Interviews for the scholarships will be held online. Further details regarding the interview process will be provided to shortlisted candidates.