Skip to main content

Professional Translation for European Languages MA

This Professional Translation Master's combines practical training and theory to give you the skills and knowledge to become a professional translator.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year:


Start date(s):

  • September 2023

Overview

This Professional Translation Master's will enable you to gain practical skills and critical academic knowledge in the fields of translation and localisation. 

You will translate into your native language. You can specialise in translation between English and up to three European languages. You can translate: 

  • from French, German, Italian, or Spanish into English 
  • or from English into French, German, Italian, or Spanish. 

Chinese into English translation is also available as an optional module. 

You will learn from experienced researchers and translation professionals.  You will have access to the latest industry insights and Translation Studies research. 

Practice-based modules are at the core of the Professional Translation MA. You will develop professional-level translating skills in several genres. These include Business & Finance, Legal, Technical, Marketing, and Literary. 

You will receive expert training in computer-assisted translation (CAT) software (memoQ and Trados).  You will become confident in using IT in a translation context, as a translator, editor, project manager, or post-editor of Machine Translation output. You will be able to adapt to emerging trends of IT applications in the localisation/translation industry. You will receive a free individual one-year license for memoQ.

We’ll introduce you to key theoretical issues in translation studies. You will develop an analytic and reflective understanding of your own translation practice. This will serve as a basis for further professional development.

We are a corporate education member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting. We are also an academic member of the Globalization and Localization Association (GALA).

READ MORE

Important information

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

What you'll learn

You will develop the expertise enabling you to enter the translation industry as a fully-fledged translation professional. Our teaching is informed by cutting-edge research in professional practice.

Translation practice

You will learn to use a wide range of professional working strategies.

You will develop:

  • text-analysis skills
  • strategies to comply with a variety of industry-specific client briefs
  • research strategies to improve translation output
  • translation editing skills
  • post-editing machine translation (PEMT) skills
  • self-monitoring strategies for translation quality

Technology competence

You will become proficient in the use of industry-relevant CAT tools (Trados and memoQ).

You will learn how to create a full translation project with key functions such as translation memories (TM), term bases (TB), and quality assurance (QA) checks. You will also gain the practical skills required to deal with the localisation of digital products such as apps, video games, and websites.

Service provision and career management

You will develop the career-management skills needed for entry into the translating profession. You will gain a critical understanding of the norms and debates relating to professional practice, ethics, and interpersonal relationships. Our successful Translation & Interpreting Guest Speakers Programme will offer you further insight into professional practice.

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.

How you'll learn

Your future

The Professional Translation MA will equip you with the skills and strategies to enter a career as a freelance or in-house translator. You can work in public or private organisations, in or beyond the language-services sector.

We ensure that our students are fully formed professionals. You will gain the reflective and analytical skills needed for a rapidly changing industry. These skills will enable you to secure professional or managerial jobs within or outside the language services industry.

Our graduates have gone on to work for leading translation agencies and companies, as well as international organisations, including:

  • the European Central Bank
  • Amazon
  • the International Atomic Energy Agency
  • Hodder and Stoughton
  • TransPerfect
  • Penguin Random House
  • THG Plc

Other graduates have built successful freelance careers in the Languages Services Industry.

Some of our graduates return as guest speakers for our “Graduate Spotlight Talks” and “Meet the Alumni Evenings”. They pass on advice to students about entering the profession.

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

Facilities

The Language Resource Centre

We have a Language Resource Centre dedicated to the study of languages. The centre contains a vast collection of books and audio-visual tools. It also has computing facilities linked to a digital speech bank.

Specialist IT facilities and resources

Our online memoQ translation server is unique in UK Translation and Interpreting programmes. Professional CAT tools (Trados and memoQ) are also installed in Language Labs and in the Language Resource Centre. As a student on the Professional Translation Master’s course, you will receive a free 1-year license for memoQ. You can also install this software on personal computers.

Other facilities

The Robinson Library has a vast collection of resources on translation and interpreting studies. These are accessible onsite or via the Library’s digital service

You will also have access to three dedicated interpreting suites and a senior common room.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2023 entry (per year)

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

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

Find out more about:

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Entry requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2023 entry.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB)
Other policies related to admissions

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course

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

Get in touch

Questions about this course?

If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:

Dr Myriem El Maizi
Degree Programme Director
School of Modern Languages
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 5867
Email: modlang.pgadmin@ncl.ac.uk

Online

For more general enquiries you could also complete our online enquiry form.

Fill in our enquiry form

Live chat

Our Ncl chatbot might be able to give you an answer straight away. If not, it’ll direct you to someone who can help.

You'll find our Ncl chatbot in the bottom right of this page.

Keep updated

We regularly send email updates and extra information about the University.

Receive regular updates by email

Chat to a student

Chat online with current students with our Unibuddy platform.

Chat to a student

Social Media

Get involved with the School of Modern Laguages.