How is the MA Language and Society different from the MA Global Language Studies?

MA Global Language Studies has a more international and comparative focus. The MA Language and Society centres the social life of language with substantial UK and London-based content, while still treating international and comparative questions seriously.

Do I need a second language to enrol in the MA Language and Society?

Strongly recommended but not required. A second language gives you richer fieldwork access and stronger data. The MA Language and Society welcomes monolingual applicants with relevant analytical or policy experience and a clear research interest.

Can I take the MA Language and Society part-time?

Yes. The MA can be taken over 24 months part-time. Online and distance routes are available. Most working students complete the MA Language and Society in two years.

Does the MA Language and Society include forensic linguistics?

Yes. A dedicated seminar on language and law covers courtroom discourse, forensic linguistics, authorship attribution and the language-rights frameworks UK courts work under. Dissertation work in forensic linguistics is supervised by an active practitioner.

What sort of dissertation will I write on the MA Language and Society?

A 12,000-to-15,000-word empirical or policy-analytic study on a topic you agree with your supervisor. Past examples include ethnographic work on London faith communities, corpus studies of UK news framing of minority languages, and analyses of language policy in devolved nations.

MA Language and Society in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MA Language and Society at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a one-year UK postgraduate degree for graduates and senior practitioners who want advanced study of how language carries identity, power and belonging — in the multilingual UK, across the EU, online, and in the institutions of public life.

The course is built around current University Council of Modern Languages standards and CIOL professional practice. You will produce a 12,000-to-15,000-word dissertation using empirical or policy-analytic methods, and graduate with the analytical and methodological depth to work in language policy, sociolinguistic research or research-driven multilingual roles.

Key Features

UCML-aligned curriculum covering advanced sociolinguistics and current language-and-society debates.
Advanced research methods — qualitative interview, ethnography, corpus methods at MA level.
Multilingual London laboratory — fieldwork access in one of the most linguistically diverse cities in Europe.
Language policy module — minority languages, multilingual education, English as a global language.
Industry-led masterclasses from language-policy researchers and senior practitioners.
12,000–15,000 word dissertation using empirical or policy-analytic methods.

What You Will Learn

The MA Language and Society is structured around the social life of language at MA level. You graduate able to design and execute a substantial sociolinguistic study, analyse a body of language data with care, and write about language in society at the standard senior research and policy employers expect.

Advanced sociolinguistic theory — variation, change, identity, language and power.
Multilingualism at MA level — code-switching, translanguaging, language maintenance.
Language policy — minority languages, official languages, multilingual education.
Language and the media — discourse, framing, news economy of language.
Language and law — courtroom discourse, forensic linguistics, language rights.
Advanced research methods — qualitative interview, ethnography, corpus methods.
Language and technology — large language models, NLP, multilingual platforms.
Dissertation research methods — qualitative, ethnographic, policy-analytic.

Who This MA Is For

BA graduates in sociolinguistics, modern languages or related disciplines moving into MA-level study.
Working language professionals and policy researchers seeking a senior credential.
Language-policy professionals at cultural bodies, government departments or NGOs.
Career-changers from teaching, journalism or community work moving into research-grounded language work.

Career Pathways

Graduates of the MA Language and Society move into senior research, policy and multilingual roles across cultural bodies, government, NGOs and the third sector, or progress to doctoral study. Typical post-MA destinations include:

Languages Programme Coordinator (cultural body, local authority)
Language Policy Researcher (think tank, government department, NGO)
Bilingual Project Officer (charity, public body, international organisation)
Multilingual Content Strategist (publisher, technology firm, news organisation)
Senior Language Policy Adviser (devolved nation government, EU institution)
Research Manager (sociolinguistic research centre, university)

The MA also serves as a launchpad for doctoral research in sociolinguistics, applied linguistics or language policy.

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.