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Translation and Technology (with Interpreting) MSc

London, Bloomsbury

Gain the skills needed to work in the translation and interpreting industry through this degree that combines language skills with translation innovations. The Translation and Technology (with Interpreting) MSc will enable you to hone practical skills in language and translation, while learning industry-standard computer-based tools. Taught at UCL, you’ll have access to renowned specialists and benefit from contact with professional translators.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£15,100
£7,550
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£31,100
£15,550
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 28 Jun 2024

Applications closed

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024

Applications closed

Find similar courses still open

Entry requirements

A high upper second-class Bachelor's degree (average 65% and above), or a BA/BSc (any result) plus a minimum of 2 years’ proven experience in the translation industry, or an MA/MSc (any result), or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Students should only translate out of a language in which they have an advanced level and translate into a language in which they have native proficiency (language combinations subject to availability).

The English language level for this programme is: Level 4

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

By focusing on specialised translation and liaison, public service and consecutive interpreting, you will be equipped with the skills needed for professional work in the translation and interpreting industry and for research in translation studies. You will practise translation and interpreting in specific language pairs and will become conversant with translation technology which has been transforming the way in which professional translators and interpreters work.

Who this course is for

The MSc is suitable for both practitioners and recent graduates looking to specialise in the fields of translation, interpreting and translation technology, as well as for those aiming for a research degree and/or academic career.

MSc pathways are only offered in specific language pairs and directions. In line with industry standards, MSc students are only allowed to translate from a language they are proficient in (Advanced level) into their mother tongue or native language.

Language pairs available in this MSc pathway (subject to availability):

  • From English into: Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean or Russian.
Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

Located in the heart of London, UCL is excellently placed to offer opportunities for networking and establishing professional contacts. At UCL we prepare you for the professional world by performing different roles within the translation workflow, by translating texts of a specialised nature and by practising liaison, public service and consecutive interpreting.

We organise a wide range of activities which offer you a unique opportunity for informal contact with professional translators and interpreters, translation agencies and leading academics. We also work closely with industry partners to ensure that the programme possesses the maximum professional relevance.

You will enjoy working with a team of renowned academics and professional translators and interpreters, which has gained an international reputation for the quality of its research. With 83% of SELCS-CMII research activity being graded 4* ‘world leading’ and 3* ‘internationally excellent’ in the REF 2021.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Translation and interpreting form part of a dynamic and rapidly developing profession, which calls for linguistically-talented people with a clear understanding of the issues involved in cross-cultural transcoding, and who are able to utilise the latest computer-based tools.

On completion of this MSc, you will be well placed for a fast-track progression in your chosen career. We aim to make you highly attractive to employers within the translation/interpreting industry and the world of communications, and to international institutions such as the United Nations and the European Union. In addition, the skills acquired through taking this MSc will be highly relevant if your long-term aim is to establish yourself as a freelance translator and/or interpreter.

Employability

Most students find challenging and rewarding work within the translation/interpreting industry on completion of the degree. Some are working as in-house and freelance translators and interpreters, while others are active as project managers and translation technology experts in organisations such as Xerox, Amazon, SDL International, Expedia, Hogarth, SDI-Media, ITR, TransPerfect and Deluxe to name but a few. In addition, the MSc is designed to serve as a basis for a Translation Studies PhD.

Networking

Our location offers students access to special collections in modern languages and culture at UCL and other world-class libraries nearby such as Senate House and the British Library. 

These resources, besides their collections of books, articles, videos, sound recordings and non-public online resources, offer a wide range of seminars, lecture series and other opportunities to exchange ideas. Other libraries and research centres within walking distance of campus include the British Museum, Institute of Languages, Cultures and Societies, Institute of Historical Research and The Warburg Institute.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, interactive practical seminars (both generic and language-specific) and hands-on experience with a wide range of translation/interpreting tools and technology. The third term is devoted to revision sessions, private study and the dissertation project. 

A 15-credit module is equivalent to 150 hours of study and a 30-credit module is equivalent to 300 hours. This includes contact time, private study and the undertaking of coursework assignments.

Students are assessed by a variety of methods, which may include coursework, presentations, written essays, the research dissertation, project work, take-home translation/interpreting assessments and in-class tests. Teaching sessions are interactive, with a limited amount of lecturer presentation and an emphasis on student participation and critical discussion.

For a full-time postgraduate course, we recommend around 20-25 hours of independent study a week. The majority of our courses have around 10-12 hours of formal teaching time which you will spend in lectures and seminars.

For a part-time postgraduate course your contact hours would usually be 5-6 a week across 2-3 days and we would recommend around 10-12 hours of independent study a week.

15 credit modules involve 150 learning hours, 30 credit modules involve 300 hours. Approximately one-third of the hours are allocated for the assessment exercise. The remainder is divided between class time and private reading. Hours expected to be dedicated to private reading far exceed the hours of class attendance. You should therefore be careful to ensure that you are setting aside enough time for reading.

Modules

You will undertake modules to the value of 180 credits, including core modules and the dissertation module. Optional modules are chosen from a wide offering in consultation with the programme director to ensure your workload is balanced between terms.

During the academic year, you will take compulsory modules which are designed to work as a postgraduate-level foundation and provide you with the specific skills to research, write essays and the dissertation. You will also choose optional modules from the suggested list (see the appropriate section for module samples). In addition to your taught modules, you will start formulating your dissertation proposal. This work will continue into term three and across the remainder of the academic year. You will develop your dissertation outline and structure with support from your supervisor. You will give a presentation to your peers and tutors on your dissertation to help cement your argument and subject area to cover. This is a non-assessed compulsory element. You will then spend the summer researching and writing your 12,000 word dissertation on a topic to be determined in discussion with your academic supervisor.

You will undertake modules to the value of 180 credits, including core modules and the dissertation module. Optional modules are chosen from a wide offering in consultation with the programme director to ensure your workload is balanced across the two years if studying part-time.

In year one you will take compulsory modules, which are designed to work as a postgraduate-level foundation module and to provide you with the specific skills to research, write essays and the dissertation. These modules set the foundation for the whole MSc, preparing you for further learning and for your dissertation.

In year two you will take optional modules to develop a broader understanding of technological and language topics. As well as developing key concepts learnt in year one. You will also formulate and develop your dissertation outline and structure with support from your supervisor. You will give a presentation to your peers and tutors on your dissertation to help cement your argument and subject area to cover. This is a non-assessed compulsory element. You will then spend the summer researching and writing your 12,000 word dissertation on a topic to be determined in discussion with your academic supervisor.

Compulsory modules








Optional modules

















Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Translation and Technology (with Interpreting).

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

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TransCluster (216-220 Foster Court, Gower Street) - Open day

Arts and Humanities Information Session: Translation Studies

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Are you interested in an MA/MSc in Translation at The Centre for Translation Studies (CenTraS) at UCL? Join us on campus for an open evening, even if your language pair is not listed on the website.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £15,100 £7,550
Tuition fees (2024/25) £31,100 £15,550

Pathways include:
Audiovisual (TMSTRLTAUV01)
Scientific, Technical and Medical (TMSTRLTSCI01)
with Interpreting (TMSTRLTINP01)

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

Additional costs may include expenses such as books, stationery, printing or photocopying, subscriptions or conference registration fees.

The department strives to keep additional costs low. Books and journal articles are usually available via the UCL library (hard copies or via e-journal subscriptions).

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

ANS Dutch Studies Bursary

Deadline: 1 November
Value: £1,250 (1yr)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK, EU, Overseas

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Translation and Technology (with Interpreting) at graduate level
  • why you want to study Translation and Technology (with Interpreting) at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Due to the highly competitive nature of this programme and the limited places available, it is advisable to apply as soon as possible. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Got questions? Get in touch

Centre for Multidisciplinary and Intercultural Inquiry
Centre for Multidisciplinary and Intercultural Inquiry

selcs-cmii.enquiries@ucl.ac.uk

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