MA in Professional Translating for European Languages
This exciting course gives you the training and know-how to become a professional translator, working between English on the one hand, and French, German, Italian (new in 2012-13) and/or Spanish on the other. You can take the course full-time (1 year) or part-time (2 years).
For a content summary, entry requirements and how to apply, plus fees, funding and visa information, please see the web prospectus page.
Course content
In Semesters 1 and 2, you take a range of taught modules. On Compulsory modules you learn practical translating skills, how to work as a translating and interpreting professional, the principles of translation and its role in the world ('translation studies'), and how to research translating and interpreting. Optional modules offer a wide range of extra translating and interpreting skills, more translation studies, translation and the EU, how to use crucial computer-based translating tools, small-business skills, and lots more.
Then, in the summer, you write a Translation Project (a long translation plus academic commentary), or research a translation-studies Dissertation.
Staff
The staff are a key strength of this course. We are:
- Academics in translation studies or other relevant fields
- Real-world translating and interpreting professionals
- Specialist translator and interpreter trainers
Most of us fall into two of these categories – and some of us into all three! What's important, however, is that we work together as a closely-knit team. And even more important is that we believe in supporting you as individuals.
The learning experience
We use a wide range of learning and teaching methods to help you develop skills and knowledges that are crucial for the translation profession. Staff give intensive input and feedback. However, for you to develop as a professional working with other professionals, we believe that independent and group work are just as important. And while preparing your summer Dissertation or Translation Project, you have regular one-to-one meetings with a staff supervisor. You can make appointments with full-time staff to talk about anything concerned with your studies. Key here is your Personal Tutor, 
who you'd also meet to discuss any issues to do with welfare and well-being.
- More about the learning experience.
- We arrange an optional visit to Brussels each summer to find out about the work of European Union translators and interpreters. See the Course News Archive for information about recent visits.
-
Among our facilities are: a postgraduate common room; a translating and interpreting area at the-state-of-the-art Language Resource Centre, equipped with audio-visual and computing facilities linked to a digital speech bank; three dedicated interpreting suites; professional translation software; excellent facilities for language learning in general and translators and interpreters in particular; and an excellent library collection on translation and interpreting studies, including e-books and e-journals.
- Our School also has a great Post-Graduate Social Programme, arranged by student reps - involving, for example, day trips to heritage sites and historic cities, dances, and sports events.
Course news archive
News about staff and students (2007-2010).
Key contact people
- Degree Programme Director: Dr Francis Jones. E-mail him if you have any questions about the learning content of the course.
- Postgraduate Officer: Lucy Brickwood. E-mail her if you have questions about applying for the course, or other administrative matters.
Corporate Member, Institute of Translation & Interpreting