How is the MA Liberal Arts different from a single-subject Master's?

A single-subject Master's goes deep in one discipline. The MA Liberal Arts maintains breadth in Term 1 and 2 (across humanities, social science, methods), then specialises in your chosen pathway for the dissertation. Useful for generalist careers and for graduates not yet sure of a doctoral specialism.

Can the MA Liberal Arts be done part-time?

Yes — over 24 months part-time. Online and distance routes are designed around working professionals, with evening tutorials and a dissertation you can build around your professional context or chosen academic question.

Which pathway should I choose on the MA Liberal Arts?

The four pathways (humanities, society and culture, modern languages, media and communication) accommodate most interests. Choice is made at application but can be revised in Term 1 in dialogue with your tutor based on the modules you do best in.

What does the dissertation on the MA Liberal Arts cover?

A 12,000–15,000 word piece in your chosen pathway, based on original research. Past topics have included intergenerational cultural value transmission in diaspora communities, public-essay form in post-2010 British literary criticism, and comparative governance reform in mid-sized European cities.

Does the MA Liberal Arts prepare me for a PhD?

Yes — the dissertation produces a credible research-grade piece, and the methods strand provides the foundation for doctoral applications in any pathway discipline. Supervisors guide students considering PhD applications, including identifying suitable doctoral schools.

MA Liberal Arts in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MA Liberal Arts at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a one-year UK postgraduate degree for graduates and working professionals who want a structured, interdisciplinary engagement with the humanities and social sciences at Master's level. You will work across modern political thought, contemporary history, literature, sociology and applied research methods, and complete a 12,000-to-15,000-word dissertation in a chosen specialism.

This MA is built for the reader who wants the rigour of a postgraduate degree without committing to a single subject. By the end you will have produced a substantial piece of original research in a chosen pathway and developed the interdisciplinary fluency senior generalist roles in policy, journalism, programming and the civil service depend on.

Key Features

Interdisciplinary core spanning modern political thought, contemporary history, literature, sociology and applied research methods.
Specialist pathway chosen at the start of the year — humanities, society and culture, modern languages, or media and communication.
Research methods strand covering qualitative, archival, basic quantitative and mixed methods.
British Academy and AAC&U-aligned curriculum, refreshed annually.
Industry-led masterclasses from editors, programme makers, civil servants, broadcasters and humanities academics.
12,000–15,000 word dissertation in your chosen pathway, supervised throughout.

What You Will Learn

The MA Liberal Arts is structured around the analytical capabilities senior generalist professionals actually need — reading across disciplines, designing a small piece of original research, and writing for audiences that include both academics and decision-makers in non-academic contexts.

Modern political thought at Master's depth — liberalism, conservatism, socialism, current critical debates.
Contemporary history — Britain, Europe, the global order after 1945.
Literature and the public essay — close reading, the working essayistic form, public-facing literary criticism.
Sociology — contemporary debates on class, gender, race, family and work.
Applied research methods — qualitative interview, archival, basic quantitative, mixed methods.
Pathway specialism in humanities, society and culture, languages or media.
Writing for impact — academic, policy, editorial and public audiences.
Dissertation work — sustained, supervised, defensible original research.

Who This MA Is For

Graduates from any discipline wanting an interdisciplinary humanities and social-science Master's.
Working professionals in policy, editorial, programme or civil-service roles seeking a recognised UK Master's that doesn't commit them to a single subject.
Career-changers from focused fields wanting a broader intellectual training before doctoral or specialist progression.
International students seeking a UK liberal-arts postgraduate education in central London.

Career Pathways

MA Liberal Arts graduates move into senior generalist roles across UK government, the third sector, broadcasting, publishing and consultancy. Many continue to doctoral study or to specialist Master's-level professional training. Typical roles include:

Civil Service Fast Stream (senior generalist track)
Editorial Assistant or Researcher (national newspaper, magazine, broadcaster)
Communications Officer (senior level — charity, NHS trust, professional body)
Research Analyst (think tank, applied research firm)
Charity Programme Manager (national charity, advocacy organisation)
Graduate Trainee (consultancy, public-sector scheme, generalist track)

The MA also serves as a launchpad for doctoral study in any pathway discipline or for specialist Master's-level professional training (law conversion, PGCE, journalism MA).

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.