Do I need to be multilingual to take the MA Language Research?

Strongly preferred but not required. Many students bring two or more languages; others come from monolingual backgrounds with serious interest in language as a social phenomenon. The methods modules are designed to work for both groups.

Is the MA Language Research good preparation for a PhD?

Yes. The MA Language Research is structured around the research-readiness standards UK doctoral programmes in applied linguistics and language education expect. Several graduates each year move directly into doctoral study at LSJHML or partner universities.

What kind of dissertation can I write on the MA Language Research?

A 12,000–15,000 word piece of original empirical research on a question of your design. Past dissertations have included interview-based studies of heritage-language transmission, corpus analyses of UK English varieties, and policy analyses of minority-language education.

Can the MA Language Research be taken part-time?

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

How does the MA Language Research differ from a translation Master's?

Translation Master's degrees focus on translator training. The MA Language Research focuses on language as a research and policy object — applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, language policy — rather than on translator practice. The two are complementary but distinct.

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

Course Overview

The MA Language Research at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a one-year UK Master's degree for graduates and working language professionals targeting research, policy or specialist roles in language. You will study advanced applied linguistics, sociolinguistic methods and language policy, take advanced research methods training, and write a 12,000-to-15,000 word dissertation involving original empirical work.

This is a research-informed MA for the people who want to understand how languages work in society at policy and research-active level. By the end you can design and execute a substantial empirical study, situate it in the relevant literature and contribute to language-policy debate.

Key Features

One-year UK Master's degree in language research — twelve months full-time, twenty-four months part-time.
Advanced applied linguistics — second-language acquisition, bilingualism, multilingual education.
Sociolinguistic methods — interviewing, ethnographic linguistics, corpus methods.
Language policy module — UK, EU, post-colonial and minority-language contexts at advanced level.
Research methods spine — qualitative and quantitative methods, ethics, advanced statistics literacy.
Empirical dissertation of 12,000–15,000 words with a named supervisor.

What You Will Learn

The MA Language Research is structured around the working life of a postgraduate language researcher — design the study, gather the data ethically, analyse it rigorously, write to publishable standard. You finish able to run an independent empirical project and step into research, policy or doctoral roles.

Advanced applied linguistics — SLA theory, bilingual cognition, multilingual education.
Sociolinguistics — variation, code-switching, language attitudes, language and identity.
Language policy — UK and EU frameworks, minority languages, decolonising policy.
Qualitative methods — interviewing, ethnographic linguistics, coding and thematic analysis.
Quantitative methods — survey design, corpus analysis, basic statistical modelling.
Research ethics — informed consent, community partnership, data protection.
Comparative analysis — cross-regional studies, controlled comparison.
Dissertation craft — methodology, viva preparation, journal-submission readiness.

Who This MA Is For

Linguistics, modern languages or related humanities graduates targeting doctoral study or research roles.
Working language teachers wanting to move into research, policy or curriculum leadership.
Multilingual professionals targeting policy or programme-research positions.
Career changers from teaching, NGO work or policy moving into language research.

Career Pathways

MA Language Research graduates move into research, policy, curriculum and academic-adjacent roles across UK and international institutions. Typical first or next roles include:

Research Associate (university applied linguistics or education department)
Language Policy Researcher (think tank, policy unit, ministry)
Lecturer (after PhD — further or higher education)
Curriculum Specialist (exam board, awarding body, language council)
Bilingual Programme Manager (charity, cultural institute)
Multilingual Content Strategist (publisher, broadcaster, platform)

The MA serves as a stepping stone toward doctoral study in applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, language education or related fields.

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, language 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.