Is the Diploma in Academic Writing a creative writing course?

No. The Diploma in Academic Writing focuses on academic prose — essays, literature reviews, dissertations and academic editing. Creative writing is a separate discipline taught in our writing-craft Diploma.

Will the Diploma in Academic Writing help me with my Master's dissertation?

Yes. Many Diploma in Academic Writing students take the course in preparation for Master's-level work. The dissertation-level structure module and the supervised long essay are direct rehearsal for postgraduate dissertation writing.

Can I study the Diploma in Academic Writing online?

Yes. The course runs on-campus, fully online with cohort seminars, and as distance learning. The supervised long essay is the same across all three modes with one-to-one tutor supervision throughout.

Is the Diploma in Academic Writing useful for academic editing work?

Yes. The academic editing module covers substantive, line and copy-editing standards. Many Diploma in Academic Writing graduates move into freelance academic editing work or in-house roles at university presses and journal publishers.

What fees and instalment options are available?

Fees vary by mode and intake. LSJHML offers an instalment plan across the academic year and a small early-application discount. Contact admissions for the current schedule and to discuss funding routes.

Diploma in Academic Writing in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Diploma in Academic Writing at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a nine-to-twelve-month UK qualification for students preparing for postgraduate study, working academic editors, and professionals whose role requires sustained academic-style writing. The course is taught in dialogue with the English Association, the British Council and Modern Language Association editorial standards.

You will work through essay craft at sentence, paragraph and argument level, master citation systems used across UK higher education, learn how to structure and supervise a long essay or dissertation, and produce a supervised long essay of 6,000–8,000 words as your final assessment.

Key Features

Sentence-to-argument writing craft — close work on syntax, paragraph structure, transitions and the architecture of academic argument.
Citation systems module covering Harvard, MHRA, Chicago, APA and Vancouver at a working editorial level.
Literature-review masterclass — search strategy, source evaluation, synthesis and the analytic literature review.
Academic editing module — substantive, line and copy-editing standards for academic prose.
Supervised long essay of 6,000–8,000 words on a question of your choice with named tutor support.
Direct top-up into the final year of a UK BA in English, Humanities or Education at LSJHML or a partner university.

What You Will Learn

The Diploma in Academic Writing is structured around the working craft of academic prose — sentence, paragraph, essay, dissertation — and the editorial discipline that supports it. You finish able to plan and write a 6,000–8,000-word academic essay, manage citations across major systems, and edit academic prose to publishable standard.

Sentence craft — syntax, register, clarity, the academic voice.
Paragraph structure — topic sentence, evidence, analysis, transition.
Essay architecture — introduction, argument, evidence, counter-argument, conclusion.
Citation systems — Harvard, MHRA, Chicago, APA, Vancouver.
Literature review — search strategy, source evaluation, synthesis, the analytic review.
Argument construction — claim, evidence, warrant, qualifier.
Academic editing — substantive, line and copy-editing standards.
Dissertation-level structure — chapter design, the dissertation argument arc.

Who This Course Is For

Undergraduates and Bachelor's-equivalent students preparing for postgraduate-level study.
Working academic editors, proofreaders and academic-writing tutors wanting a structured credential.
International students moving into UK higher education and needing to adapt to UK academic conventions.
Working professionals — researchers, civil servants, policy analysts — whose role requires academic-quality writing.

Career Pathways

The Diploma in Academic Writing supports progression into editorial, teaching and research roles, and articulates into a Bachelor's top-up year. Typical roles include:

English Teacher (with subsequent BA and PGCE)
Academic Editor (university press, journal publisher, academic agency)
Examinations Officer (university, exam board, professional body)
Lecturer Pathway (with subsequent BA, MA, PhD)
Educational Materials Writer (publisher, EdTech firm, exam board)
Academic Writing Tutor (university writing centre, private tutoring)

The Diploma articulates into the final year of a UK BA in English, Humanities or Education at LSJHML or a partner university.

Entry Requirements

Completion of secondary school (A-Levels, BTEC, or international equivalent).
IELTS 5.5 overall (no band below 5.0) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement and a short essay sample.
Mature applicants (21+) may apply with two years of relevant work experience.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.