Professional Translation for European Languages MA

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.

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

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.

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.

Professional Translation for European Languages MA modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Research Methods in Translating and Interpreting	10
Translation Practice and Principles	30
Translation Workshop	20
The Language Industry: Professions, Processes and Society	20
Localisation 1	10

The Professional Translation MA course structure allows you to tailor your own programme of study. You will study professional practice and research-led compulsory modules. In addition to the above, you can choose from a wide range of optional modules.

Optional Modules	Credits
Fundamentals of Translation (Chinese to English)	20
Key Concepts in Corporate and Commercial Law	10
International Marketing	10
Fundamentals of Legal Translation	10
Literary Translation	10
Liaison Interpreting	10
Translation Project	60
Translation Practice from Second Foreign Language	20
Translator Entrepreneur	10
Translating for a Big Institution. The EU - A Case Study	10
Dissertation	60

In the summer, you will complete a dissertation or a translation project (a long translation plus an academic commentary).

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

Our teaching is based on experiential learning. You will carry out simulated professional tasks in small-group seminars and hands-on workshops. You will receive regular lecturer feedback on translation skills development. Lectures will provide a grounding in the key practical and theoretical issues involved in professional translation.

Taught classes run Monday to Friday in semesters one and two (September to May). From June to August, you will work with a research supervisor on an extended translation project or dissertation.

Our teaching is supplemented by the Translation & Interpreting Guest Speakers programme. This features a wide range of industry talks throughout the year. We’ve had speakers from the European Central Bank, RWS Group, Keywords Studios, Surrey Translation Bureau, and AppLingua Ltd.

We organise study visits to the EU’s Directorate General for Translation and European Commission in Brussels. We also do visits to international organisations in The Hague.

Part-time study

Part-time study on the Professional Translation MA is split over two years. You will agree your individual study plan with the Degree Programme Director. Core practical translation modules normally feature in year one. You can start your translation project or dissertation at any time in year two.

Assessment methods

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

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

Support

You will have a Personal Tutor assigned to you when you start the course. Your Tutor will be there to help you make the most of your studies. They will be your first port of call for all academic and pastoral matters. You will also have regular one-to-one consultations with lecturers on the course.

We provide a friendly learning environment, with small teacher-student ratios. We work closely as a team and believe in supporting your personal development.

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.

Our staff

We're proud to be part of Newcastle University's School of Modern Languages. Our highly-qualified educators are a key strength of this course. You'll be taught by academics who are:

• experts in translation studies or other relevant fields
• translating and interpreting professionals
• specialist translator and interpreter trainers

Find out about individual members of our Translating and Interpreting Studies team.

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

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

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)

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

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

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.

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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