Translation and Technology (Scientific, Technical and Medical) MSc

London, Bloomsbury

Master specialist skills in the translation of scientific, technical and medical content through this programme. The Translation and Technology (Scientific, Technical and Medical) MSc will enable you to develop your translation and language expertise, while gaining experience in key translation technology. Taught at UCL with its world-leading credentials, you’ll graduate with skills ideal for the science, technology and communications industries.

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 close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications 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 the translation of scientific, technical and medical texts, you will be equipped with the skills needed for professional work in the translation industry and for research in translation studies. You will practice translation in specific language pairs and will become conversant with translation technology which has been transforming the way in which professional translators work.

Who this course is for

The MSc is suitable for both practitioners and recent graduates looking to specialise in the fields covered by the programme (e.g. translation technology, scientific, medical and technical translation), 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, French, Chinese, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Swedish.
  • From French, German or Spanish into English.

What this course will give you

Located in the heart of London, UCL is excellently placed to offer opportunities for networking and to establish professional contacts with the translation industry. At UCL we prepare you for the professional world by performing different roles within the translation workflow and by translating specialised texts on the widest possible variety of material, ranging from medical reports and research papers to user guides, product documentation, patents, technical specification, audiovisual programmes and web pages.

We organise a wide range of activities which offer you a unique opportunity for informal contact with professional translators, 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, which has gained an international reputation for the quality of its teaching and research. With 83% of SELCS-CMII research activity being graded 4* ‘world leading’ and 3* ‘internationally excellent’ in the REF 2021.

The foundation of your career

Translation is 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 translation technology.

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 industry, the world of science, technology and communications, and the pharmaceutical industry, among others. In addition, the skills acquired through taking this MSc will be highly relevant if your aim is to establish yourself as a freelance translator.

Employability

Most students find challenging and rewarding work within the translation industry on completion of the degree. Some are working as in-house and freelance translators, while others are active as project managers, translation technology experts and computational linguists in organisations such as Xerox, Amazon, SDL International, Expedia, Hogarth, Cannon, SDI-Media, ITR and Hoffmann-La Roche 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.

UCL Careers also offers a range of services, providing access to skills development, recruitment and networking events.

Teaching and learning

The degree 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 tools and technology.

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, project work, take-home translation 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 and 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.

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 (Scientific, Technical and Medical).

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 team.

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

All full time students are required to pay a fee deposit of £1,000 for this programme. All part-time students are required to pay a fee deposit of £500.

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.

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 (Scientific, Technical and Medical) at graduate level
  • why you want to study Translation and Technology (Scientific, Technical and Medical) 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.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.