Is the MA Humanities Research only for PhD-track students?

No. Many MA Humanities Research students are heading toward doctoral study, but the course also serves working researchers, editors and policy analysts wanting structured Master's-level credentialing in research method. The methodological backbone serves both paths.

Does the MA Humanities Research support a specific discipline?

It is interdisciplinary by design — literature, history, philosophy and cultural studies in dialogue. The MA Humanities Research dissertation is on a question of your choice, with named supervisor matched to your field.

Can I take the MA Humanities Research part-time?

Yes. The MA Humanities Research can be taken over two years part-time, with online and distance modes designed for working researchers and editors. Most working students complete the dissertation in the second year.

Will the MA Humanities Research help me get into a PhD programme?

Yes. The MA Humanities Research includes structured PhD-application preparation — proposal writing, supervisor identification, funding routes. Many MA Humanities Research graduates progress to PhD programmes at LSJHML or partner institutions within a year of graduating.

What fees, scholarships and instalments are available?

Fees for the MA Humanities Research vary by mode, intake and student status. LSJHML offers automatic scholarship review for every applicant, instalment plans and a small early-application discount. Contact admissions for the current schedule.

MA Humanities Research in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MA Humanities Research at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a one-year UK postgraduate degree for Bachelor's graduates, working researchers and PhD-track students wanting structured advanced training in humanities research methods. The course is taught in dialogue with the British Academy and the Royal Society of Arts.

You will work through advanced research methods across literary, historical, philosophical and cultural-studies traditions, develop a structured PhD-ready research proposal, and produce a 12,000–15,000-word research-led dissertation supervised by an active researcher in your field.

Key Features

UK Master's degree — one year full-time or two years part-time, with online and distance routes available.
Advanced research methods across literary, historical, philosophical and cultural-studies traditions.
PhD-track preparation — structured research-proposal development and methodological grounding for doctoral study.
British Library, Senate House and major UK archive access structured into the on-campus and online routes.
Industry-led seminars from working researchers in academic centres, foundations, think tanks and editorial settings.
12,000–15,000-word research-led dissertation supervised by an active researcher in your field.

What You Will Learn

The MA Humanities Research is structured around the working practice of an advanced humanities researcher — frame a research question, develop a methodology, execute fieldwork or close reading, write at Master's depth. You finish able to plan and execute a substantial humanities research project, write a Master's-level dissertation, and submit a strong PhD application.

Advanced research methods — literary, historical, philosophical and cultural-studies methodologies.
Research question formation — moving from interest to viable research question.
Literature review — advanced search strategy, synthesis, analytical review at Master's level.
Archive practice — National Archives, British Library, specialist archives, digitised international collections.
Research ethics for the humanities — representation, consent, intellectual property at advanced level.
Critical theory at Master's level — current critical traditions and their methodological implications.
Dissertation craft — chapter design, argument arc, evidence integration to publishable standard.
PhD-application preparation — proposal writing, supervisor identification, funding routes.

Who This MA Is For

Bachelor's graduates in humanities ready for advanced research training before doctoral study.
Working academic editors, researchers and writers wanting structured Master's-level credentialing.
Mature applicants returning to higher education at Master's level for personal or career reasons.
Career-changers from journalism, publishing or policy moving toward research-track roles.

Career Pathways

The MA Humanities Research supports progression into research-track, editorial and academic-adjacent roles. Typical post-MA destinations include:

Humanities Researcher (academic centre, think tank, foundation)
Cultural Programme Coordinator (senior role, museum, gallery, festival)
Policy Analyst (senior role, cultural policy unit, third sector)
Lecturer (with subsequent PhD)
Editorial Researcher (academic publishing, longform journalism)
PhD Candidate (UK or international doctoral programme)

The MA is structured to support strong PhD applications at LSJHML or partner institutions, or progression into senior research-track roles in policy and editorial settings.

Entry Requirements

A UK 2:2 honours degree (or international equivalent) in a humanities subject, OR a 2:2 in any subject with two years of relevant research-track experience.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement (max 1 page) outlining your motivation, research interests and intended dissertation focus.
Two academic or professional references.
Short writing sample required at application.

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.