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The Translation Studies route of the MA in Translation enables you to advance your practical language, translation and technology skills while developing a comprehensive understanding of translation in social, cultural and historical contexts. The programme is taught in the Centre for Translation Studies, generating international networks and the language skills to enhance your employability in today's multicultural workplace.
Key information
Programme starts
September 2020
Modes and duration
Application dates
Tuition fees (2020/21)
Note on fees:
The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website.
Fee deposit: 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.
Entry requirements
A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. The following language directions/pairs are normally offered (subject to availability). English-Chinese English-Dutch, Dutch-English English-French, French-English English-German, German-English English-Italian, Italian-English English-Spanish, Spanish-English English-Portuguese, Portuguese-English Scandinavian languages (Danish, Norwegian, Swedish)-English Russian-English Hebrew-English
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Advanced
Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
International students
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.
Select your country:
About this degree
In addition to a range of translation options covering theoretical and technological topics, you can focus on a specific language and choose to study interdisciplinary modules, gaining practical experience of translation and the critical and analytical skills required for research and employment. The final dissertation project provides an opportunity to showcase your translation interests and abilities in an extended annotated translation.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The Translation Studies pathway has two core modules (30 credits), optional modules (90 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits).
A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) is also available.
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MA in Translation: Translation Studies. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Translation: Translation Studies.
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 is subject to change.
Compulsory modules
- Language and Translation
- Translation Theory
Part-time students take both core modules and 30-60 credits of optional modules in year one.
Optional modules
Language modules and language-specific translation modules are available in a limited number of combinations and directions only (see website or contact admissions tutor for details). Those wishing to take these modules should have studied the foreign language at undergraduate degree level or be able to demonstrate an equivalent level of proficiency.
Students select optional modules
- Translation Technologies 1
- Translation Technologies 2
- Language modules including Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Scandinavian languages, Spanish (up to 30 credits)
- Translation in History
- The Historical and Social Context of Interpreting
- The Interaction and Language Management of Interpreting
- Translating Literary Culture
- Translation and Technology MSc modules (up to 30 credits)
- CMII modules (up to 30 credits)
The Centre for Multidisciplinary & Intercultural Inquiry (CMII) offers modules in African and European area studies, comparative literature, European thought and culture, film studies, gender & sexuality studies and health humanities. Optional modules are subject to availability and language prerequisites where applicable.
Dissertation/report
All students complete a 12,000-word dissertation consisting either of an annotated translation or a critical discussion of theoretical, practical or historical aspects of translation.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical translation exercises, case studies and web-based classes, depending on the options chosen. The core modules are assessed by essays and coursework. Optional modules are assessed through unseen and written examination, coursework, translation projects and essays.
Additional costs
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.
Funding
For details of scholarships available to MA students in SELCS, please refer to the MA Scholarships webpage.
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Careers
There is an ever-growing demand for highly-trained commercial, literary and other types of translators in the private as well as in the public sector and in international organisations, in Britain and abroad. Other career paths include the media, publishing and education.
Employability
The programme provides graduates with a range of vocational skills that enable them to pursue successful careers in the fields of translation and interpreting. Former students have gone on to work as translators for companies such as KPMG, SDL International and Alpha CRC; some have set up their own translation business. Graduates also acquire transferable skills that lead them into successful careers in 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.
Why study this degree at UCL?
Located in the heart of multicultural London, UCL provides a uniquely rich environment for studying and researching translation in all its facets. Students are 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 their own programmes 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.
Department: Centre for Multidisciplinary & Intercultural Inquiry
What our students and staff say
"There is no better place than UCL for Translation Studies. I studied here myself as a postgraduate and am delighted now to be part of a team that I found so inspiring as a student. For someone like me who teaches and researches across languages and disciplines, the resources available are unparalleled. The role of the translator in bringing dramatic works onto the stage is the focus of my research. My aim is to forge connections between theatre professionals and language specialists, investigating the different contexts and mechanisms of translating theatre for performance in a new language, and opening up the process for both practitioners and theatregoers.To that end, I have recently co-edited a volume, Adapting Translation for the Stage, which includes contributions from an international range of theatre practitioners and academics. My new book, The Translator on Stage, explores the translation processes of eight plays on the London stage from commission to reception."
Dr Geraldine Brodie
Translation: Translation and Culture MA, Translation: Research MA, Translation: Translation and Culture MA
UCL Centre for Multi-disciplinary & Intercultural Inquiry
Application and next steps
Applications
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 £80 for online applications and £105 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.
Who can apply?
The programme is particularly suitable for graduates with a language and culture degree who wish to develop practical translation skills alongside an understanding of theoretical aspects of translation, for professional development or further research in this field. A sound knowledge of at least one language other than English is essential.
Application deadlines
- All applicants
- 28 August 2020
For more information see our Applications page.
Apply nowWhat are we looking for?
When we assess your application we would like to learn:
- why you want to study Translation: Translation Studies at graduate level
- why you want to study Translation: Translation Studies 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.
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.
Page last modified on 13 July 2020