Introduction to Forensic Linguistics
This course introduces Linguistics and Forensic Linguistics to interested parties outside of academia.
Forensic Linguistics is the application of Linguistics, the science that studies human language, to forensic problems.
Civil or criminal cases sometimes include language evidence, such as a disputed email or text message, or the meaning of a word or phrase, or the modality of production of a document.
Drawing on what we know about how human language works, linguists can provide expert witness evidence that can help the investigators or the triers of fact. This course will introduce the student to core concepts of the field of Linguistics and apply this knowledge using real case examples.
Course aims
- To understand what Linguistics is and what a linguist does
- To understand what forensic linguistics is and what it is not
- To learn the ‘state of the art’ of forensic linguistics in its core areas of application
Topics covered
- What is Forensic Linguistics?
- The History of Forensic Linguistics
- Linguistic Individuality and Uniqueness
- Identifying the author of a disputed document
- Profiling the author of an anonymous document
- Disputes over meaning
- The linguist as expert witness
- Conclusion and assessment
Teaching and Learning
This course will be delivered online, asynchronously through a combination of videos, readings, and independent activities. Interaction with the lecturer will be via email or appointment for support or additional questions on the content. A final assessment (multiple choice quiz) is included at the end of the course to demonstrate that students have met the learning outcomes for successful completion.
The course will run three times a year in September, January and April, and will be open for 8 weeks at a time. Although the course will be available for 8 weeks, the topics are designed to be studied self-paced and can be completed at any point during the 8-week period. This flexibility in design allows students to complete the course in 1 day should that be your preference.
Please see below the dates the course will run in the 25/26 academic year, including application deadlines:
| Estore application deadline | Course start | Course end | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | 5 September 2025 | 29 September 2025 | 28 November 2025 |
| Session 2 | 2 January 2026 | 26 January 2026 | 27 March 2026 |
| Session 3 | 20 March 2026 | 13 April 2026 | 12 June 2026 |
Upon successful completion of the course students will be sent a certificate in the week after the course ends. If you require a certificate earlier, then please email salc-cpd@manchester.ac.uk in the first instance.
All students at The University of Manchester are now required to complete an extra step of 2-factor authentication when logging into certain University systems and services (including Canvas, the University’s virtual learning environment). In most cases this will require verification via a smartphone or tablet, although alternative methods of verification will also available if needed.
For more information please visit the IT Services - 2-factor authentication for students page.
Fees and how to apply
The fee is £750 You can pay either online with a debit or credit card through the University e-store.
Before applying, please refer to the University's Privacy Notice for prospective students, applicants and offer-holders so that you are aware of how your data will be processed.
Entry requirements
Although there are no formal language requirements, those applicants for whom English is not their first language should note that the course is delivered entirely in English. Therefore, a good level of written English will be needed to complete the course. The course is delivered completely online using the Canvas learning environment. You will, therefore, need a computer with an internet connection to access the course.
Please ensure you meet our computer requirements and that you read the terms and conditions before completing the registration form.
If you have any questions about applying for the short course, please email: salc-cpd@manchester.ac.uk