COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA Forensic Linguistics programme provides advanced theoretical knowledge and practical expertise in the analysis of language within legal, criminal, investigative, and digital contexts. Core modules establish a strong foundation in forensic linguistic theory and professional practice. Forensic Linguistics: Theory and Practice introduces students to legal language, spoken interaction in legal settings, online crime, authorship analysis, and other specialist areas where linguistic expertise contributes to forensic investigations. Practical Applications in Forensic Linguistics develops advanced analytical skills through ethical data collection, language analysis, project development, and the application of academic research to real-world professional and legal contexts, often under realistic time constraints. Students also complete the Aston Global Advantage module, which focuses on employability, professional development, teamwork, and solving real-world challenges linked to environmental, social, and governance themes. In addition to the core curriculum, students select five optional modules, allowing them to tailor their studies to their interests and career goals. Analysing Discourse examines major theories and methods of text and discourse analysis across written and spoken communication. Variation and Change explores social influences on language use, including factors such as gender, region, and language ideology. Deviant Online Communities investigates the characteristics and communication practices of harmful online groups using discourse analysis methods. Spoken Encounters with Policing focuses on language in policing contexts, including emergency calls, investigative interviews, and communication of legal rights. Forensic Inference and Statistics introduces the principles of forensic evidence evaluation and statistical reasoning. Corpus Linguistics develops advanced digital analysis skills for investigating large language datasets using computational methods. Harmful Online Interactions examines online abuse, digital harms, and the linguistic challenges associated with online safety and regulation. Courtroom Interaction and Cultures explores the linguistic, social, and cultural dynamics of courtroom communication through independent research. Authorship Analysis and Expert Witnessing provides practical training in forensic authorship analysis, expert witness work, and the legal frameworks governing linguistic evidence. Together, these modules equip students with specialised research, analytical, digital, and professional skills, preparing them for careers in policing, intelligence, cybersecurity, legal services, forensic investigation, consultancy, and academic research.