Is the MA Critical Thinking and Analysis a philosophy MA?

Partly. Advanced logic is philosophy-derived, but the course is applied — most credit hours go to structured analytical methods, evidence appraisal and dissertation work. Students wanting pure philosophy of logic or epistemology should look at a philosophy MA elsewhere.

How much statistics will I do on the MA Critical Thinking and Analysis?

Statistics at policy-analyst standard — enough to read regression output critically, evaluate effect sizes, and write defensibly about uncertainty. The MA is not a statistics degree, but you will leave numerate enough to assess most applied research evidence.

Can the MA Critical Thinking and Analysis be done part-time?

Yes — over 24 months part-time. Online and distance routes are designed around working senior professionals, with evening tutorials and a dissertation you can build around a real workplace question (with employer permission).

What does the dissertation on the MA Critical Thinking and Analysis look like?

A 12,000–15,000 word piece on a contested public question, applying the course's analytical methods. Past topics include the evidence base for sentencing reform, calibration of energy-policy forecasts, and the limits of cost-benefit analysis in environmental regulation.

Is the MA Critical Thinking and Analysis recognised by employers in intelligence or consulting?

It is a UK Master's degree taught with explicit reference to analytic tradecraft and structured methods used in those sectors. Recognition rests on the degree plus your portfolio, references and prior experience — the MA is a strong credential but not a replacement for the relevant professional pathway.

MA Critical Thinking and Analysis in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MA Critical Thinking and Analysis at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a one-year UK postgraduate degree for working analysts, policy researchers, intelligence professionals and senior editorial staff who want a research-grade upgrade to the analytical thinking their job already demands. You will work across advanced logic, structured analytical methods, evidence appraisal at policy standard and a 12,000-to-15,000-word dissertation on a contested public question.

This MA exists because most analysts learn by doing — and many never get a chance to systematise what they know. By the end you will be able to defend a piece of analytical work to a peer, a sceptical commissioner or a public audience, and contribute to the methodological debates the field is having.

Key Features

Advanced logic module — propositional, predicate and modal logic at postgraduate depth.
Structured analytical techniques — Heuer-style analytical tradecraft, scenario analysis, superforecasting practice.
Evidence appraisal at policy standard — systematic review basics, risk-of-bias reading, Cochrane and equivalent traditions.
Forecasting practice — calibrated probability judgement, Brier score and aggregation methods.
Industry-led masterclasses from senior policy analysts, intelligence-track practitioners, strategy consultants and investigative editors.
12,000–15,000 word dissertation on a contested public question, supervised by an active practitioner-academic.

What You Will Learn

The MA Critical Thinking and Analysis is structured around the senior-track capabilities the analytical job actually demands — formal reasoning at depth, structured method, evidence at policy standard, and the discipline to write up findings without overreaching. You graduate able to lead analytical work or contribute to the methodological conversation the field is having.

Advanced logic — propositional, predicate and modal logic at postgraduate depth.
Structured analytical techniques — analytic tradecraft, key assumptions check, alternative competing hypotheses.
Forecasting and calibration — superforecasting, Brier scoring, aggregation methods.
Statistical literacy at policy standard — descriptive statistics, regression reading, effect-size language.
Evidence appraisal — systematic review, risk-of-bias, Cochrane and equivalent reading traditions.
Scenario and red-team methods — structured scenario analysis, devil's advocate practice.
Writing senior analysis — the decision memo, the policy brief, the contested-public-question essay.
Dissertation research methods — mixed methods, qualitative case study, applied research ethics.

Who This MA Is For

Working analysts at think tanks, policy units and government departments stepping into senior or lead roles.
Intelligence-track professionals (public sector, private analytics) seeking research-grade analytical training.
Strategy consultants moving into senior advisory or partner-track roles.
Editorial leaders and investigative editors wanting structured analytical method behind their judgement.

Career Pathways

MA Critical Thinking and Analysis graduates move into senior analytical roles across policy, consulting, intelligence and editorial work, with many continuing to doctoral study. Typical roles include:

Senior Policy Analyst (think tank, government department, regulator)
Strategy Consultant (manager or senior manager at a consultancy)
Intelligence Analyst (public-sector mid-career role)
Editorial Reviewer (fact-checking lead, longform publisher)
Research Lead (academic research centre, applied research firm)
Forecasting Practitioner (in-house at a major employer, consultancy)

The MA also serves as a launchpad for doctoral research in critical thinking, decision science or applied policy analysis.

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.