Forensic Linguistics MA (Distance Learning)

Aston University Online

Study MA Forensic Linguistics with Aston University, home of the world-leading Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics. Take your linguistics skills to the next level and improve the delivery of justice through the analysis of urse outline and modules

This Forensic Linguistic masters course is designed to help linguistics students take their studies to the next level and enter the exciting discipline of forensic linguistics. Alongside advanced language-description modules, you will learn about legal and forensic contexts, and how linguists critically engage with the language of law and provide linguistic evidence in a variety of legal contexts.

Please note the online version requires attendance at timetabled classes every week, much the same as a campus-based programme would. Timings of sessions will be dependent on class numbers and the time zones of students who are enrolled.

What you’ll learn

The MA Forensic Linguistics course aims to expand your linguistic analysis skills and understanding so that you can apply them to forensic texts, and in forensic and legal contexts.

You will learn from some of the world’s leading academics in the field of forensic linguistics, based at our research institute - the Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics.

There is a strong ethos throughout this programme of forensic linguistics as an application of linguistics. You will study and improve your knowledge and abilities in the linguistic analysis of spoken and written language, in contexts such as police interviews and courtroom interactions, and you will learn how linguists apply their methods to aid police investigations and provide evidence in court.

The course has strong links with the police so you will get unique access to real-world data for your coursework.

Our course is applied in nature, giving you a chance to gain valuable hands-on experiences involving real forensic and legal data. It includes practical project work as well as academic essay assessments.

Successfully completing the taught parts of the course will enable you to progress onto completing a 15,000-word research dissertation as the final part of the course. Dissertation projects allow students to research an area in depth and are an excellent grounding for PhD study or for employment beyond the programme.