Do I need to be fluent in multiple languages for the MA Professional Language Studies?

Working B2+ proficiency in at least one language other than English is required; reading-level access to a second is recommended. The MA is an applied multilingual professional master's rather than a language-acquisition master's, so existing language assets matter.

Is the MA Professional Language Studies a translation master's?

Translation strategy is a core component, but the MA is broader — covering multilingual programme management, content strategy and intercultural communication. Students focused exclusively on becoming professional translators should consider a dedicated MA Translation or Chartered Institute of Linguists route.

What dissertation topics can I do on the MA Professional Language Studies?

Past topics have included machine-translation post-editing quality at a UK retailer, multilingual employee engagement at a Brussels-headquartered firm, translation strategy at a UK NHS trust, and language-access policy in a London local authority. Subject is your choice.

Can I take the MA Professional Language Studies part-time?

Yes. The MA can be taken over 24 months part-time. Online and distance routes are available. The seminar pattern continues remotely; the dissertation can be built around your own workplace context.

Is the MA Professional Language Studies recognised by UK international employers?

The MA is a UK master's degree recognised across international content, NGO, programme and translation employers. Working multilingual experience and demonstrable senior practice carry equal weight with the qualification itself.

MA Professional Language Studies in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MA Professional Language Studies at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a one-year UK postgraduate degree for working multilingual professionals — senior content strategists, localisation managers, international programme leads and translation specialists — who want master's-level depth in applied multilingualism, translation strategy and intercultural communication. You will study the academic literature on multilingual workplaces, lead a multilingual project from scope to delivery, and complete a 12,000–15,000 word dissertation on an applied-language professional question.

The MA Professional Language Studies sits at the strategic end of applied languages. By graduation you can scope and lead a multilingual content programme, advise on translation strategy and quality, and contribute to language policy at organisational level.

Key Features

Applied multilingualism seminar — current research on multilingual workplaces, content strategies and stakeholder communication across languages.
Translation strategy module — translation programme management, quality frameworks (TAUS, MQM), machine-translation strategy.
Intercultural communication research strand — current scholarship on cross-cultural professional communication.
Project management for language work — scoping, vendor management, multi-language launch coordination.
Industry-led masterclasses with senior multilingual content strategists, localisation directors and international programme leads.
12,000–15,000 word dissertation on an applied-language professional question, supervised across the year.

What You Will Learn

The MA Professional Language Studies is structured around three master's-level strands — research-informed applied multilingualism, translation strategy at programme level, and intercultural communication as scholarship and practice. You graduate able to scope a multilingual content programme, advise on translation strategy and quality, and contribute to language policy work at organisational level.

Applied multilingualism research — workplace language ecologies, lingua franca dynamics, language hierarchies.
Translation strategy — programme design, vendor models, quality frameworks, MT strategy.
Terminology and content governance — large-scale glossary work, style governance, translation memory strategy.
Localisation strategy — market-entry models, transcreation strategy, cultural adaptation.
Intercultural communication theory — Hofstede, Trompenaars and contemporary critique.
Cross-cultural pragmatics at advanced level.
International programme management — multi-country comms, multilingual stakeholder engagement.
Language policy — UK, EU and international frameworks at master's depth.
Research methods — workplace linguistic ethnography, mixed-methods research design.

Who This MA Is For

Senior multilingual content strategists, localisation managers and translation programme leads.
International programme officers and account directors building toward director-level roles.
Translators expanding into translation strategy and programme management.
Career-changers from journalism, diplomacy or international development moving into senior multilingual professional roles.

Career Pathways

The MA Professional Language Studies lifts practitioners into director and senior-specialist multilingual roles across UK and international professional contexts. Typical destinations include:

Languages Programme Coordinator (senior — cultural institute, university, charity)
Language Policy Researcher (think tank, equalities body, devolved government)
Bilingual Project Officer (senior — international NGO, UN-affiliated organisation)
Multilingual Content Strategist (senior — technology firm, publisher, broadcaster)
Localisation Director (e-commerce, software, gaming)
Translation Strategy Lead (translation services firm, international body)

The MA also serves as a launchpad for doctoral research in applied linguistics or translation studies, or for senior in-house language-leadership roles.

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 multilingual professional experience.
Working proficiency in at least one language other than English (CEFR B2+ or equivalent demonstrable).
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement (max 1 page) outlining your motivation, language background 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.