Translation (by Practice)

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally possess at least a first degree (normally of upper second class honours standard or above) or equivalent.

Applicants should also normally have (or expect to be awarded) a taught Masters in a relevant subject area.

Where an applicant possesses non-standard qualifications or equivalent experience, these will be considered.

No prior qualification in Translation Studies is required for admission to the programme, but relevant equivalent experience in contexts of translation, interculturality and language transfer must be demonstrated through the personal statement.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The MPhil/PhD Translation by Practice offers a new approach to studying Translation, incorporating a creative practical project. This can include translating a book or play, subtitling a film, or translating song lyrics or poetry.

Whatever your passion, you will be able to incorporate it into this research degree, by engaging with translation as a creative practice.

You will be evaluated based on a written thesis of up to 70,000 words, as well as a creative project of a minimum of 30,000 words.

If you wish to make use of translation memory as part of your project, computer-aided translation software for the degree is provided by Memsource, with training facilitated by Dr Sarah Maitland, who is a Memsource Certified Trainer and Senior Lecturer in Translation Studies. All students are given the opportunity to apply for Student Certification and become part of an active community. Through the Memsource Talent Endorsement Program, the top-scoring certified students will be able to compete for paid translation work experience.

Find out more about our staff and their specialisms and expertise, and the Department of English and Comparative Literature.

The Department of English and Comparative Literature consists of some 40 scholars and creative writers whose work is acknowledged and cited internationally.

We offer a stimulating environment for undertaking postgraduate research in English Literature (including American Literature and literary theory), World Literature, Comparative Literature, Linguistics, Translation, and Creative Writing.

We particularly encourage cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary research in emerging fields of study and creative practice.

As well as working with scholars and writers of international standing, you will have the opportunity to play an active role in a vibrant research environment which includes the Richard Hoggart Lectures in Literature and Culture, the annual Goldsmiths Prize for bold and innovative fiction, and specialist seminars offered by the Goldsmiths Writers' Centre, the Goldsmiths Literature Seminars (GLITS), the Goldsmiths Linguistics Seminars (GoldLingS), and the e-journal, GLITS-e.

Assessment is by thesis and viva voce.

Find out more about research degrees at Goldsmiths.

North American applicants especially should note that the British system does not include preparatory taught classes or examinations as part of the MPhil/PhD programme, except for an initial course in research methods.

Information for international students

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 7.0 with a 7.0 in writing to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Fees and funding

Find out more about postgraduate fees and explore funding opportunities. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.