Course Description The MA/Diploma in Forensic Linguistics is an innovative programme which provides opportunities to examine the study of language in and around the legal process at postgraduate level. Although the programme is an academic rather than vocational MA, recent graduates have found employment within the legal system, including the 999 Emergency Call Service, the Police Force, the Prison Service and the Civil Service (Home Office), as well as the secret services. Others have gone on to further training as lawyers. Graduates from this MA/Diploma also move on to non-legal careers and find that the legal and linguistic focus of their studies provides their employers with something a little unusual. Graduates in the job market have also benefited from the training in processing and using information thoughtfully, writing effectively and speaking convincingly which is part of all good postgraduate study. If strong grades are achieved in the MA, it is also possible to go on to higher level doctoral research in forensic linguistics, language and law, or other areas of applied linguistics, sociolinguistics or human communication. The MA/Diploma in Forensic Linguistics is a modular programme with modules taught over two semesters (PG Diploma or for the MA, Stage 1), followed by a supervised dissertation (for the MA, Stage 2) of between 14,000 and 20,000 words between May and September when taken as a 1 year, full time degree programme. Assessment of the taught component is by coursework only. The part-time modular programme involves following the same modules over two years with the dissertation being completed between May and January.

Career Prospects In 2010, 73% of postgraduates in the School were in a form of employment within six months of graduation while 20% were engaged in further study. Employers included: local government departments, police forces, secondary schools, language schools, universities, banks, solicitors and utility companies. Career destinations included: crime intelligence analyst, lecturer, teacher, programme administrator, research assistant and writer.