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MSc in Forensic Linguistics

Key information

Duration of programme: 2 - 5 years (part-time, distance learning)

Start date: October

Distance learning available: The course can be studied by distance learning or by a combination of distance learning and short/week long courses held at the Unversity's campus.
There are multiple routes of exit from the programme, allowing you to study to the level you wish and graduate with an Aston University Certificate (with 20 credits), an Aston University Diploma (with 40 credits), a Postgraduate Certificate (with 60 credits), a Postgraduate Diploma (with 120 credits) or with the full MSc in Forensic Linguistics.

Intake: Approximately 10 per year

Fees:
UK/EU students: Please contact the School           
International students: Please contact the School

These fees apply to students who complete the MSc in 3 years. After this time, a continuation fee of £500 per year will apply

Application & contact:
Apply for this course online

LSS Postgraduate Admissions
Tel: +44 (0) 121 204 3762
Fax: +44 (0) 121 204 3766
Email: lss_pgadmissions@aston.ac.uk

Programme outline and modules

Jigsaw puzzle
The MSc in Forensic Linguistics is a flexible programme to suit academic linguists and forensic professionals.  The programme aims to provide you with knowledge of theories in forensic linguistics and to provide students with the skills to approach forensic texts and contexts both as linguistic researchers and practitioners.

Modules
The following module is studied by all students:
  • Introduction to forensic linguistics by distance learning, or
  • Introduction to forensic linguistics by summer school
  • Language and the legal system by distance learning 
  • Language in the judicial process by distance learning 
  • Linguistic investigation and evidence by distance learning 
  • Language of offender management and treatment by distance learning 
  • Linguistic disadvantage in legal contexts by distance learning 
  • Research Methods Linguistics by distance learning 
  • Dissertation by distance learning.

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Entry requirements
Learning, teaching & assessment
Career opportunities


Personal development
Facilities & equipment

Course director
Teaching staff

Entry requirements

  • Normally a good UK Honours Degree (minimum of an upper second class) in English, Linguistics or a related discipline or an overseas degree recognised by Aston University, plus two references.
  • For those without a relevant prior qualification in linguistics or English, there is a route onto the programme involving an Introduction to Linguistics module.  You will normally need a good UK Honours Degree (minimum of an upper second class) or an overseas degree recognised by Aston University, plus two references. 

International students whose native language is not English and have not completed a full degree programme taught in English, will also need to obtain:

  • An IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 7 in writing and minimum of 6 in speaking, listening and reading.

     

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Learning, teaching & assessment

Modules are delivered via a variety of innovative and engaging teaching methods.   You will undertake individual research and guided study under the one-to-one supervision of a supervisor. 

There are also opportunities for interactive learning under a tutor’s guidance.

Assessment is by individual research essays, written examination, task based continuous
assessments and the dissertation.
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Career opportunities

The course offers career development opportunities for both linguistic researchers and practitioners.
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Personal development

For PG Distance Learning:  This course helps you to develop relevant professional skills, research skills and report writing skills. 

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Facilities & equipment

You will have access to:
  • Our Virtual Learning Environment – Blackboard – to support your studies, including Blackboard discussion groups
  • The University Library, including over 25,000 books and a wide range of electronic journals.  The library has special provision in place to help part time and distance learning students access their resources: www.aston.ac.uk/lis/studentinfo/parttime
  • University wide facilities such as the Careers Service, Students’ Advice Centre, Students’ Jobshop, Counselling Service, Sports Facilities, and Chaplaincy.
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Course director

Dr Tim Grant is Head of English and deputy Director of the Centre for Forensic Linguistics.  He has qualifications in both linguistics and psychology and is particularly interested in the interaction between forensic linguistics and forensic psychology. He teaches undergraduate and postgraduate modules in Forensic Linguistics and Research Methods. His main research interests are in forensic authorship analysis and he was recently awarded the Joseph Lister Prize in the Social Sciences by the British Association for the Advancement of Science.

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Teaching staff

  • Professor Malcolm Coulthard is Professor of Forensic Linguistics, Director of the Centre for Forensic Linguistics and a tutor on the MSc in Forensic Linguistics. He has been consulted as an expert witness by both prosecution and defence in over 200 cases. His co-authored book, An Introduction to Forensic Linguistics was published in 2007. An extract from his inaugural lecture, 'The Linguist as Detective and Expert Witness'   is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z6Krsjwc84.
  • Dr Krysztof Kredens received his MA in English Studies and PhD in English Linguistics from the University of Lodz, Poland.  He is a lecturer in Applied Linguistics and Director if the International Summer School in Forensic Linguistic Analysis.  His academic interests include corpus linguistics, translation studies and social applications of linguistics.  His main research interest lies with forensic linguistics, as evidenced by his numerous publications and conference papers in the area.  He is particularly interested in the linguistics of the individual speaker and its implications for forensic authorship analysis.  He is a practising public service interpreter. 
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