Translation – MA

Why study this course?

A master’s degree designed to help you start or advance a career in translation. The course meets academic and professional standards as well as market demands of the translation industry, through a balanced and well-structured curriculum. 

This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) and the Institute of Language Educational Trust (IoLET), plus we’re also a member of the Conférence Internationale Permanente d’Instituts Universitaires de Traducteurs et Interprètes (CIUTI), a prestigious international association of translation and interpretation institutes.

More about this course

This master’s degree has a vocational emphasis on specialist translation, focusing on areas such as law, politics, medicine, business, IT and media. You will also learn to translate different types of institutional documents (UN and EU), as well as use dedicated software to subtitle films and localise websites and software.

A substantial built-in part of this course is the compulsory practical and career enhancing work placement module, which offers an opportunity to gain hands-on professional experience with one of the many translation service providers in the UK and, whenever possible, with institutions of the European Union and the United Nations. The lecturer in charge of the module will provide information on work placement opportunities and  guidance on completing the required application processes and will support you throughout in obtaining suitable opportunities.

As a student of the programme you will have the opportunity to translate using the following languages paired with English: Arabic, Mandarin, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. You must be fluent in English and be fluent or proficient in your other chosen language.

We have strong links in the translation industry that allow us to share best practice in translation and teaching. This offers an excellent learning experience for our students and allows for additional learning opportunities, such as our annual visit to the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Translation in Brussels. You will also learn from invited guest speakers from the translation industry who have a wealth of experience in translation, providing you with insights in the work of translators in various fields. 

Assessment

You’ll be assessed through translations, commentaries, essays, translation projects, portfolios, a work placement report and a dissertation.

Professional accreditation

This degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) and the Institute of Language Educational Trust (IoLET), an internationally recognised professional body that awards exemptions from Unit 2 or Unit 3 of the Level 7 Diploma in Translation.

Accreditation of Prior Learning

Any university-level qualifications or relevant experience you gain prior to starting university could count towards your course.

Modular structure

The modules listed below are for the academic year 2022/23 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.

Year 1 modules include:

Characteristics of Specialised Texts (core, 20 credits)

Placement for Employability Skills (core, 20 credits)

The Translator and the Specialised Text (core, 20 credits)

The Translator and the Translation Process (core, 20 credits)

Translation Tools and the Translator (core, 20 credits)

Independent Research Project (alternative core, 30 credits)

Independent Translation Project (alternative core, 30 credits)

Subtitling (option, 20 credits)

Translating for International Organisations (option, 20 credits)

Website and Software Localisation (option, 20 credits)