Translating MA

Overview

This Master's in Translating focuses on the language directions of English into Chinese, and Chinese into English.

Under our guidance, you will hone the skills you need to excel in your chosen translation field. You’ll gain an expert understanding of how theory and practice intersect. You’ll also benefit from our industry experience and established connections.

Our team of lecturers have a wealth of professional experience, both in-house and freelance. They have worked in the fields of translation, audio-visual translation (AVT), and localisation.

This Translating MA course has two stages. Each stage lasts one year.

You can either:

• study for two years – In your first year, you’ll join the Translating & Interpreting MA. Then in your second year, you’ll take the Translating MA pathway.
• study for one year – You will join the Translating MA directly at Stage 2. This option will depend on your previous qualifications and experience.

In Stage 2, you can also choose to follow another of our pathways if your interests or aspirations change:

• Interpreting MA
• Translating and Interpreting MA
• Translation Studies MA

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2022-23.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

Stage 1

You'll gain a thorough grounding in both translation and interpreting skills and knowledge.

You’ll translate a wide variety of texts on topics such as journalism, social trends, literature, and advertising. These will contain many different cultural, linguistic, and theoretical challenges.

In relation to translating, you will learn how to:

• improve your written translation skills to create translations of a professional standard
• adapt to a variety of client briefs that will redefine your concept of translation
• leverage translation-studies theories, approaches, and concepts to produce better final translations
• conduct pre-editing, as well as post-editing machine translation (PEMT)
• approach localisation projects (including processes before, during and after the translation stage)
• use computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools to create full translation projects
• apply CAT tool functions such as translation memories (TM), term bases (TB), and quality assurance (QA) checks

You’ll also learn how to interact with agencies, secure translation work, and utilise your CV to gain better work.

Stage 2

You will continue to develop your translating and localisation skills and knowledge. We'll cover specialised areas of technical translation with more demanding industry requirements.

You can gain valuable audio-visual translation (AVT) skills on our Subtitle and Video Game Translation module.

On completing the Translating MA course, you’ll learn to:

• translate technically demanding texts on topics such as science, commerce, law, art, and technology
• strategically approach a range of industry-specific client briefs
• leverage theoretical knowledge to craft translations that meet industry requirements
• identify key challenges in translation tests that agencies use to determine applicants’ suitability

With our expert guidance and industry opportunities, you’ll succeed in the fields of translation, AVT, and localisation.

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Translating MA modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Translating I (Chinese to English)	20
Translating I (English to Chinese)	20
Simultaneous Interpreting 1	10
Sight Translation	10
Consecutive Interpreting I	20
Translating II: English to Chinese	10
Translating II: Chinese to English	10
Research Methods in Translating and Interpreting	10
Profession, Processes and Society in Translating & Interpreting	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Public Service Interpreting	20
Chinese to/from English Subtitle and Video Game Translation	20
Technology in Interpreting	10
Key Concepts in Corporate and Commercial Law	10
Translation for Singing	20
Translation Studies I	10
Fundamentals of Legal Translation	10
Literary Translation	10
Translating for a Big Institution. The EU - A Case Study	10
Localisation: Practice and Theory	10
Dissertation	60
Translating/Interpreting Project	60

How you'll learn

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Computer assessment
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Professional skills assessments
• Oral examination
• Performance
• Portfolio
• Research proposal
• Written examination
• Written exercise

Additional assessment information

Assessment is typically by:

• written examination (translation modules)
• practical assessments
• class/seminar presentations
• essays or assignments

In the final summer, you will complete either a dissertation or a translation project. The project consists of a long translation and an academic commentary.

Student support

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your development

Professional opportunities and development

We organise industry talks, study visits and internship work placements for our students. These are in the fields of translation, audio-visual translation (AVT), and localisation.

Past examples include:

• Keywords Studios trainee programmes and other video game translation and localisation opportunities
• translating and subtitling opportunities with our industry contacts
• study visits to the EU’s Directorate General for Translation and European Commission in Brussels
• study visits to international organisations in The Hague

We'll help you take translation, AVT, video game translation, and other digital localisation assignments. We have a global reputation for knowledge and expertise in these fields. A growing number of organisations offer our students opportunities to gain professional experience.

We’ll keep you up to date with the latest developments in localisation. We have full academic membership with the Globalization and Localization Association (GALA).

You’ll also get academic membership to established translation societies. This includes the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIoL).

Your future

What can you do with a Translating MA degree?

Our graduates use their linguistic, IT, and interpersonal skills, and cultural knowledge in a range of sectors.

Audio Visual Translation (AVT) careers

• in-house subtitle translator (translation and dubbing of audio-visual content)
• in-house project manager in a translation agency, working on a range of AVT projects
• freelance subtitle translator, working as a self-employed translator and dubber of audio-visual content

Localisation careers

• in-house localisation in an agency, working on digital and non-digital products (from brochures to apps, websites and video games)
• in-house project manager working for a localisation agency
• freelance localisation - running your own business as a self-employed independent localisation specialist
• cultural liaison - working for developers or companies in one locale liasing with clients and publishers in another locale to promote products

Translation careers

• in-house linguists working for a translation agency
• in-house project manager working for a translation agency
• freelance self-employed translator
• translating documents for EU Institutions and members of the European Parliament

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

Language Resource Centre

Our Language Resource Centre is dedicated to the study of languages. It contains a vast collection of books, journals, and audio-visual tools. It also has computing facilities linked to a digital speech bank.

Computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools

You’ll have access to professional CAT tools like Trados and memoQ. These are installed in the Language Resource Centre for ease of access. You’ll receive free 1-year licenses. You’ll also have the option of using this software on personal computers.

Other facilities

The Phillip Robinson Library has an excellent collection of books and articles. There are resources on translation and interpreting studies, audio-visual translation and localisation. Many of the materials can be read online via the library’s digital service.

You can practice in one of two dedicated interpreting suites. You will also have access to a senior common room where you can relax, eat or study.

Learn more about the School of Modern Languages facilities and resources.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2023 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

• additional costs
• living costs
• tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

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How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

Open days and events

You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:

• campus tours
• on-campus open days
• virtual open days
• webinars

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events