Do I need fluent Turkish to apply for the MA Turkish Language Studies?

You need at least CEFR B2 in Turkish, evidenced by transcript, certificate or interview. The MA Turkish Language Studies takes students from B2 to C2 over the year, but literary criticism modules assume comfortable reading in Turkish from the start.

Does the MA Turkish Language Studies cover Ottoman Turkish?

Yes — at selected advanced level, sufficient to support archival research for students whose dissertation needs it. Specialist Ottomanist work belongs in a dedicated Ottoman studies programme, but the MA Turkish Language Studies gives you working access to scripted source material.

Can the MA Turkish Language Studies dissertation be written in Turkish?

Yes. The dissertation can be written in English or Turkish — your choice, agreed with your supervisor. Many heritage speakers and Turkey-based students write in Turkish; UK-based students often write in English with substantial Turkish sources.

Is the MA Turkish Language Studies good preparation for a PhD?

Yes. The MA Turkish Language Studies is structured around the research-readiness standards UK and Turkish doctoral programmes expect. Several graduates each year move into doctoral study at LSJHML or partner universities in the UK, Turkey or wider Europe.

Can the MA Turkish Language Studies be taken part-time?

Yes. The MA can be taken over 24 months part-time. Online and distance routes are available; admissions can advise on the best mode for your circumstances, particularly if you are based in Turkey or working in a Turkey-related institutional role.

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

Course Overview

The MA Turkish Language Studies at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a one-year UK Master's degree for graduates working at advanced level in Turkish language, literature and contemporary Turkish society. You will take advanced literary criticism in Turkish, advanced translation theory, and a dissertation in English or Turkish on a literary, linguistic or area-studies topic.

This is a research-informed MA for graduates with strong Turkish who want depth across the literature, language and the contemporary political and cultural life of Turkey and the wider Turkic world. By the end you can produce postgraduate-quality work in either language and step into doctoral study or specialist Turkish-language roles.

Key Features

One-year UK Master's degree in Turkish — twelve months full-time, twenty-four months part-time.
Advanced literary criticism in Turkish — late Ottoman to contemporary.
Advanced translation theory and practice — literary, journalistic and institutional.
Contemporary Turkey module — politics, society, media and cultural debate.
Selected advanced Ottoman Turkish for students engaging archival material.
Dissertation of 12,000–15,000 words in English or Turkish.

What You Will Learn

The MA Turkish Language Studies is structured around the working life of a postgraduate Turkish-language researcher — read advanced material in Turkish, translate at professional standard, write to publishable level in either language. You finish at CEFR C2 in Turkish (where you weren't already) and able to run an independent research project.

Advanced Turkish — reading, writing, speaking, listening at CEFR C2 level.
Advanced Turkish literary criticism — late Ottoman, Republic-era, contemporary.
Selected Ottoman Turkish — script and grammar to support archival research.
Turkish cinema and culture — Yeşilçam, contemporary auteurs, popular cultural debate.
Turkish sociolinguistics — regional varieties, the Turkic family, Turkish abroad.
Translation theory and practice — literary, journalistic, institutional and audiovisual.
Contemporary Turkey — politics, society, media, regional context.
Research methods — comparative literary method, translation studies methods.

Who This MA Is For

Turkish or Turkish-and-other-modern-language graduates targeting doctoral study or specialist roles.
Working Turkish teachers and translators wanting an advanced research credential.
Heritage speakers of Turkish seeking a formal Master's credential.
International graduates with strong Turkish and humanities, social-science or international-relations backgrounds.

Career Pathways

MA Turkish Language Studies graduates move into translation, academic teaching (with further qualifications), international cultural relations, journalism and policy roles linked to Turkey, the Turkic world or the UK Turkish diaspora. Typical first or next roles include:

Turkish Translator (literary, commercial, institutional)
Turkish Lecturer (after PhD — UK or international higher education)
Turkey Markets Analyst (financial services, consultancy)
Diplomatic Officer (Turkey desk — UK Civil Service, international body)
Cultural Programme Manager (Yunus Emre Institute, partner cultural body)
International Editorial Researcher (Turkey-related coverage in UK media)

The MA serves as a stepping stone toward doctoral study in Turkish studies, Middle Eastern studies, translation or comparative literature.

Entry Requirements

A UK 2:2 honours degree (or international equivalent) in Turkish or a related subject with strong Turkish, OR a 2:2 in any subject with two years of relevant professional experience requiring Turkish.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement (max 1 page) outlining your motivation, Turkish experience and intended specialism.
Two academic or professional references.
Turkish proficiency at CEFR B2 minimum, evidenced by transcript or interview.

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.