Translation and Interpreting

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a good Bachelors degree and/or Masters degree (2:1 or equivalent) in translation studies (translation, audiovisual translation, interpreting. For other topics, a good Bachelors degree and an MA in a relevant topic is required.

Months of entry

January, April, July

Course content

The School of Literature and Languages is home to the Centre for Translation Studies (CTS), an internationally leading centre for research and teaching in translation and interpreting studies.

Our research reflects the evolving nature of the discipline, encompassing human, machine-assisted and translation, novel modalities of audiovisual translation, and innovative practices in interpreting. In 2019, CTS was awarded a £3.56m Expanding Excellence in England grant to launch an ambitious new research programme that focuses on human-centric uses of technology in translation and interpreting.

We combine our knowledge of translation and interpreting as human practices with our expertise in computational linguistics, natural language processing, machine learning/AI, distance communication and human-computer interaction, and with social perspectives on translation/interpreting workflows, in order to achieve a responsible integration of human and machine in translation and interpreting.

We are part of several externally funded doctoral training partnerships, and you might be able to benefit from a studentship from us if you are suitably qualified.

At a time when increasing automation is reshaping the Language Services Industry into one of the fastest growing industries nationally and globally, the ‘technological turn’ in translation/interpreting has created a wealth of opportunities, but it requires fresh approaches to research in order to understand all dimensions of its impact, mitigate drawbacks and derive innovative solutions.

We are therefore particularly interested in PhD projects investigating how professional translators/interpreters interact with, and adapt to, emerging technological ecosystems, how this is changing professional practice and the products of this practice, and how human knowledge combined with natural language processing and machine learning approaches can help design sustainable technology-enhanced solutions in translation/interpreting.

It normally takes three years of full-time study or six years of part-time study to complete our PhD in Translation and Interpreting. You will take a confirmation viva at 12-15 months (or 24-30 months part-time) and will then be assessed by a thesis and viva examination.

You will be assigned two supervisors, who will guide you through your PhD, meet with you monthly to discuss your progress, and give you feedback and advice on your work. You will also have the opportunity to interact and collaborate with other researchers from CTS and across the University who work on topics relevant to your research.

As a doctoral student in CTS, you will receive a structured training programme covering the practical aspects of being a researcher, including grant writing, publishing in journals, and applying for academic jobs.

Research support

The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College, which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate Careers and Employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.