Translation Studies

Entry requirements

2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in a language or a related subject is normally required. Native speakers of the languages taught are also welcome to apply. Applicants should state clearly in their personal statement which language they wish to specialise in.

We will also consider applications on an individual basis where you have a degree in other subjects, have a 2:2 or equivalent in a language or translation related subject or extensive relevant experience. You should be able to demonstrate how your skills have prepared you for the relevant discussions and assessments during postgraduate study.

If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.

Months of entry

October

Course content

Why Lancaster?

• Gain the linguistic and technical skills that are sought after in specialist industries such as legal, technical or medical translation
• Translate in a professional environment through a work placement, boosting your employability and expanding your industry contacts
• Develop technical skills in the market leading Computer Assisted Translation tools, Trados
• Explore the creative and critical possibilities in literary translation at a university renowned for its literary research
• Learn from our guest speakers in the profession and literary translators in residence

With this dynamic course, you’ll develop the linguistic and technical skills to move into a wide range of careers in translation. This could be in literary translation, or in humanitarian fields like medical and legal translation.

Translation dynamics

You’ll gain a thorough understanding of Trados Studio, a Computer Assisted Translation tool. This industry leading software is a translator’s best friend, and will allow you to manage your translation work more effectively.

If you choose to specialise in the study of literary translation, you’ll spend time looking into creative and critical possibilities that translation can offer, as well as the role of translation in art and culture – one of the research strengths of the department.

A flexible approach

We combine language-specific practice in either one or two languages in addition to English. You can specialise in translation between:

• German and English
• French and English
• Mandarin Chinese and English
• Spanish and English
• Italian and English

You also have the possibility of studying more than one language combination during your MA.

At Lancaster University, you have the chance to shape your study, building skills in areas of translation that are most important to you. This allows you to start shaping your career direction early in the programme, whether that’s a route into the business and legal fields, or technical translation. If you are already working in a translation role, you could use this course to advance your career and move into new avenues.

Careers

Translation is crucial to international communication and the skills you develop on this course allow you to pursue a wide range of diverse career paths. By the time you finish this course, you will have the skills needed to find work in a number of different sectors.

You may choose to pursue a career in:

• International business affairs
• Marketing
• E-commerce
• Medical translation
• Legal translation
• Literary translation
• Technical translation

Alternatively, you might choose to further your studies to deepen your knowledge and conduct research, by working towards a PhD.

Information for international students

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.

If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.

Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

Fees and funding

Learn more at our fees and funding page