Specialised Translation

Entry requirements

You should have a good first degree in modern languages or another subject. Mature linguists without a degree, but with sufficient experience in a relevant area, are also invited to apply.

We will interview you in person or on the telephone and set you a translation test to check your suitability for the course.

The course is open to native speakers of English, French, German, Italian, Polish, and Spanish.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The Specialised Translation MA will prepare you for a career in the translation market. Building on your existing language skills, you will learn how to research specialised subjects to produce, with and without the use of translation memory software tools, commercially usable translations of specialised technical and institutional texts, applying insights drawn from linguistics and translation theory as well as from professional practice.

If you are studying the Specialised Translation MA with English and one other language, you will also be attending modules that introduce you to audio-visual and computer-assisted translation, revision, editing, post-editing, quality assurance, and project management skills for translators, and a comprehensive programme of professional development activities. You will also be able to complement the knowledge and skills acquired on the core modules by choosing either Translation as Cultural Practice or International Organisations and Institutional Discourses as an option module. At the end of the course, you will submit an MA Translation Project or an MA Thesis.

The course emphasis is on practical training in translation, developing your skills to a high level and learning about the professional environment. Your core Specialised Translation modules will involve both direct and inverse translation training between English and Chinese, French, German, Italian, Polish or Spanish. The majority of your translation assessments, including the final translation exam, will, however, be conducted into your mother tongue only. All students will translate institutional texts (such as economic, political, legal and EU/UN texts) and technical material, and acquire a wide range of additional skills, including career building and professional development skills, through the remaining core and option modules.

Information for international students

You will need fluent written and spoken English and, if English is not your first language, an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with 7.0 in writing and 6.0 in all other elements. Most successful applicants will have met the IELTS requirement when they submit their application as excellent English language skills are fundamentally important.

It is vital that all applicants who do not have English as their first language provide clear details on their application form of the English language qualifications they have achieved and/or the date when they will be taking their IELTS test.

Fees and funding

This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page. As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.