Translation Studies MA

Course description

This course will prepare you for work in the translation professions and provide the ideal foundation if you want to progress further in the academic discipline of Translation Studies. You will practise translating between English and a language of your choice, as well as gaining a thorough grounding in the academic discipline of Translation Studies.

The course will equip you with advanced research skills and research paradigms relevant to investigations of translation contexts, processes, products and producers. You will study in-depth the history and theory of translation and develop the skills to critically analyse current issues being debated within the discipline.

Our focus on research topics, skills and methods in Translation Studies prepares you for your final dissertation and will equip you with the essential skills needed for entry into the translation professions.

As well as the translation professions such as text translating and editing, subtitling and localisation, our course prepares you for opportunities in careers such as tourism, journalism, copy writing and international business communication. Our MA programme is also suited for progression to study at PhD level.

Teaching and learning

Modules are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials using a variety of teaching methods. Your dissertation will be individually supervised.

Assessment is by essay and/or by practical translating tasks and presentations where appropriate. All work submitted for assessment (except for translations from English into another language, but including commentaries on such work) must be in English.

Careers and employability

Research has shown that graduates in Modern Languages enjoy excellent employment opportunities. Graduates of our MA in Translation Studies have opportunities in careers such as tourism, teaching in higher education, government offices and international business communication.

Many translators work freelance, while others become employees of multinational corporations and organisations, as well as bodies such as the United Nations or the European Union.

A degree in translation is seen as an impressive bonus for promotion within academia, particularly in language education. The MA at Leicester is also particularly suited for progression to study at PhD level.

Students need to have: 2:1 degree or equivalent; Native or near native ability in English and in at least one other language.