What kind of dissertation can I write on the MA Arts and Humanities?

A 12,000–15,000 word piece of original interdisciplinary research on a topic of your design, agreed with a named supervisor in the first term. Past dissertations have included literary-historical readings, philosophical critiques of cultural policy and museum-object biographies.

Is the MA Arts and Humanities good preparation for a PhD?

Yes. The MA Arts and Humanities is structured around the research-readiness standards UK doctoral programmes expect — methodology, literature review, dissertation viva. Several graduates each year move directly into doctoral study at LSJHML or partner universities.

Can the MA Arts and Humanities be taken part-time?

Yes. The MA can be taken over 24 months part-time, with the same methods and dissertation requirements. Online and distance routes are available; admissions can advise on the best mode for your circumstances.

Do I need an undergraduate humanities degree for the MA Arts and Humanities?

Strongly preferred but not required. Applicants with a 2:2 in any subject plus two years of relevant professional experience can apply. A written sample is requested in those cases to evidence research-readiness.

Will the MA Arts and Humanities lead to academic roles?

Most academic teaching roles require a PhD. The MA Arts and Humanities is the standard step toward doctoral study and is also a credible credential for research-adjacent roles in museums, policy units and editorial settings.

MA Arts and Humanities in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MA Arts and Humanities at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a one-year UK Master's degree for graduates seeking advanced interdisciplinary research across literature, history, philosophy, art history and cultural studies. You will work with primary sources and current scholarship at postgraduate level, take advanced methods training, and write a 12,000-to-15,000 word dissertation on a topic of your own design.

This is a research-led MA for graduates who want depth and the experience of running a sustained original project. It also functions as a sound stepping stone toward doctoral study or research-adjacent roles in cultural and policy organisations.

Key Features

One-year UK Master's degree in interdisciplinary humanities — twelve months full-time, twenty-four months part-time.
Advanced methods spine — literary, historical, philosophical and visual-culture method at postgraduate level.
Supervised dissertation of 12,000–15,000 words with a named supervisor across the year.
Methods seminars in research design, ethics, archival practice and citation systems.
Research masterclasses with working humanities academics and museum researchers.
September and January intakes with scholarship review on every application.

What You Will Learn

The MA Arts and Humanities is structured around the working life of a postgraduate humanities researcher — read deeply, frame originally, design a methodology, write the dissertation. You finish able to run an independent piece of research and to step into research-adjacent roles or doctoral study.

Advanced literary criticism — formalism, narrative theory, comparative analysis.
Advanced historical method — primary source criticism, historiography, periodisation.
Philosophical argument — ethics, political philosophy, philosophy of history.
Visual and material culture — formal analysis, museum studies, object biography.
Cultural theory — encoding/decoding, hegemony, identity, post-colonial readings.
Research design — question formulation, methodology, ethics review.
Archival practice — finding aids, cataloguing systems, working with restricted collections.
Dissertation craft — methodology chapter, literature review, viva preparation.

Who This MA Is For

Humanities, social science or arts graduates targeting doctoral study or research-adjacent careers.
Working researchers, policy analysts and curators wanting advanced interdisciplinary training.
Career changers from law, journalism or teaching moving into cultural or research roles.
International graduates seeking a UK humanities Master's taught in central London.

Career Pathways

MA Arts and Humanities graduates move into research-adjacent, editorial, cultural-sector and policy roles across the UK and internationally. Many continue to doctoral study or specialist Master's programmes. Typical first or next roles include:

Humanities Researcher (think tank, charity, heritage body)
Cultural Programme Coordinator (gallery, museum, festival)
Editorial Researcher (longform magazine, broadcaster culture desk)
Lecturer (after PhD — further or higher education)
Policy Analyst (think tank, cultural policy unit)
Museum Education Officer (national or regional museum)

The MA serves as a research-readiness stepping stone for doctoral study at LSJHML or partner universities, or for senior research-adjacent roles in industry.

Entry Requirements

A UK 2:2 honours degree (or international equivalent) in a related subject, OR a 2:2 in any subject with two years of relevant professional experience.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement (max 1 page) outlining your motivation, relevant experience and intended specialism.
Two academic or professional references.
Applicants without a related undergraduate degree may be considered with significant industry experience and a written sample.

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.