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Translation: Research MA

London, Bloomsbury

Equip yourself with the skills needed to pursue a career in translation while focusing on your specific interests in translation and intercultural studies. The Translation: Research MA enables you to choose from a variety of translation modules, including theoretical and technological topics, and advanced modules in a range of languages. Taught at UCL, you’ll also benefit from access to interdisciplinary experts and language specialists.

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 minimum of a first or high upper second-class Bachelor's degree (average 65%) in a relevant discipline from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Students should only translate out of a language in which they have an advanced level minimum and should only translate into a language in which they have native-level 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

The Translation: Research MA allows you to choose from a range of translation options covering theoretical and technological topics and language modules. The dissertation project provides a bespoke opportunity to develop independent critical and analytical thought in researching and presenting a sustained piece of writing on a topic of your choice.

Optional advanced translation modules are available to students in the following languages: Dutch, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Scandinavian languages, and Spanish. We also offer optional modules with language-specific strands (subject to availability). The individual modules listed below outline the available languages and usually include a wide range of European languages as well as Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Russian. We are also able to offer Ukrainian (subject to availability - please contact the MA director).

Who this course is for

The programme is particularly suitable for graduates in a language and culture subject who are ultimately aiming to undertake a PhD and wish to conduct an in-depth study of a specific topic in translation and intercultural studies. A sound knowledge of at least one language other than English is essential.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

Located in the heart of multicultural London, UCL provides a uniquely rich environment for studying and researching translation in all its facets, taught by specialist translation staff with a diverse range of research interests including literary translation and theatre translation.

The MA is truly interdisciplinary with access to experts in an unrivalled variety of languages and disciplines from across Europe and further afield. This allows students to customise the programme in relation to their language competencies and other academic and professional interests.

UCL translation students are highly valued by the translation industry, with workshops and networking events organised during the year.

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

The foundation of your career

The MA Translation (Research) is designed to equip students for further research in the field through modules in translation theory and research methods. In addition, practical modules will provide graduates with a range of vocational skills that enable them to pursue careers in the fields of translation. Former students have gone on to complete PhDs or work as translators for companies such as KPMG and Alpha CRC. Graduates also acquire transferable skills that lead them into careers within publishing, media, finance, fashion, PR and education; examples include our graduates who are now working for Newsweek, the British Library, Morgan Stanley, Sainsbury's and Deloitte.

Employability

There is an ever-growing demand for highly-trained commercial, literary and other types of translators in the private and public sectors and in international organisations in the UK and abroad. Other career paths include media, publishing, education, the cultural and heritage sectors, consulting, and civil and diplomatic services. CenTraS PhD graduates have high rates of success in entering both the translation industry and the academic sector, whether in the UK, China, or elsewhere.

Networking

Our location offers students access to special collections 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 programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical translation exercises, case studies, tutorials and private study, depending on the options chosen. The third term is devoted to revision sessions 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, core modules are assessed by essays, presentations and coursework. Optional modules are assessed through unseen and written examination, coursework, translation projects and essays. 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 per week. The majority of our courses have around 10-12 hours' teaching time spent in lectures and seminars.

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

Those undertaking language modules may have additional contact hours.

There is minimal teaching during Term 3, which focusses on the dissertation and assessment.

15 credit modules involve 150 learning hours and for 30 credit modules, 300 hours. Approximately one-third of the hours are allocated for the assessment exercise. The remainder is divided between class time and self-directed study. Hours expected to be dedicated to private reading far exceed the hours of class attendance.

Modules

You will undertake modules to the value of 180 credits, including two 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 to support the dissertation. You will also choose from a wide range of optional modules (see Optional modules). In addition to your taught modules, you will start formulating your dissertation proposal. This work will continue into Term 3 and across the remainder of the academic year. You will develop your dissertation outline and structure with support from your supervisor.

You will undertake modules to the value of 180 credits, including two 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 1, you will take compulsory modules, designed to work as a postgraduate-level foundation module and to provide you with the specific skills to research, write essays and to support the dissertation. These modules set the foundation for the whole MA, preparing you for further learning and for your dissertation.

In Year 2, you will take optional modules to develop a broader understanding of theoretical, technological and language topics, as well as developing key concepts learnt in Year 1. You will also formulate and develop your dissertation outline and structure with support from your supervisor. You will then spend the summer of Year 2 researching and writing your dissertation on a topic to be determined in discussion with your supervisor.

Compulsory modules





Optional modules

Advanced Translation into Chinese


Translating Literary Culture


Advanced Translation from Dutch into English

Advanced Translation

Advanced Scandinavian Translation (Scandinavian - English)


Advanced Translation from and into Spanish

















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 MA in Translation: Research.

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.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Translation Studies (Morning)

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Are you interested in an MA / MSc in Translation at The Centre for Translation Studies (CenTraS) at UCL? Join us online for one of our Q&A sessions. Further information: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/european-languages-culture/translation-studies-ma-msc

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Translation Studies (Afternoon)

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Are you interested in an MA / MSc in Translation at The Centre for Translation Studies (CenTraS) at UCL? Join us online for one of our Q&A sessions. Further information: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/european-languages-culture/translation-studies-ma-msc.

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

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, or conference registration fees and associated travel costs.

The department strives to keep additional costs low. Books and journal articles are usually available via the UCL library as 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: Research at graduate level
  • why you want to study Translation: Research at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your personal, academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

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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