This course covers aspects of Applied Linguistics such as language systems and discourse and pragmatics as well as two broad fields within Forensic Linguistics. These are the language of the legal process (trial/courtroom discourse; police interrogation and legal documentation) and the use of language as evidence (speaker profiling; linguistic investigation of plagiarism and authorship attribution in, for example, text messages and bomb threats).

This course is also available as an Extended Masters that helps International students adjust to studying in the UK.

An MA in Applied and Forensic Linguistics is the best way to develop a deeper understanding of the many ways in which language works in the legal process, as well as methods to study it. Issues of authorship identification, as well as justice, power and interaction both relate to the practical applied study of language. Although the course focuses on the English language and the Anglo-Saxon judicial system, its theoretical and practical insights can be equally applied to other languages and systems, provided the context is studied and taken into account.

How you’ll be assessed

Throughout the course your knowledge and skills will be informally assessed through a variety of learning activities. You will be encouraged to engage in self-assessment and may be actively involved in peer assessment.

Formally, the course is assessed solely through coursework, including portfolio work, reports, essays and presentations.

Your future career

Graduates of this course will be able to pursue careers in a variety of industries, including advertising, media, publishing, education, translation and language consultancy for a variety of professional fields. Others may use this as a way to start their own business.

Students completing this MA might also go on to undertake a PhD in Applied Linguistics or a teaching qualification to take their practice into a school, FE or HE setting.