MA in Translation
Queen's University Belfast
Key Information
Campus location
Belfast, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 - 3 year
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
GBP 19,100 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* international fee
Introduction
The MA Translation aims to:
- Enable students to develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of the prevailing theories and practices of translation through intellectual and interactive inquiry and advanced translation practice;
- Provide grounding in the field of Translation Studies, defined as theory and practice, that will enable students both to undertake independent research and/or work as professional translators;
- Encourage sophisticated intellectual inquiry and debate with fellow students, academics and professional practitioners, drawn from a range of relevant backgrounds, through interrogation of theoretical models and analysis of practice-based work;
- Encourage students to develop professional translation skills and learn to theorise within the context of the discipline and their own practice;
- Provide students with a good knowledge of the translation market place;
- Foster a dynamic and innovative approach to translation as a mode for understanding the socio-political and cultural complexities posed by the movement of peoples and the demands of multi-lingual and multicultural organisations and societies;
- Equip students to use their writing talents to the best of their ability, and to develop as independent translators and self-reflective lifelong learners.
Translation Highlights
Professional Accreditations
- Students who complete the elective module Principles in Community Interpreting are eligible for the award of a OCN Level 4 certificate in Principles of Community Interpreting.
Career Development
- Graduates can pursue careers in a range of areas where translation skills are required, e.g. academic, creative writing, translation and interpreting industry, public policy, business and commerce and journalism. The programme includes specialist training in translation technologies and offers opportunities for work experience. Graduates are also equipped for taking up doctoral study.
Internationally Renowned Experts
- You will be taught by staff with research profiles of international standing, with a wide and diverse range of interests in translation and translation studies, including digital and media contexts, literature, travel writing, international development, theatre and performance, hermeneutics and translation theory, histories, education, religious texts, landscape and place, museums, subtitling, audio-description and accessibility. In REF 2021, over 99% of Queen’s research environment was assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent. The School hosts several large research projects across all the language areas, funded by the AHRC, the Leverhulme Trust and Horizon 2020.
Student Experience
- The Centre for Translation and Interpreting is a vibrant international, multilingual and multicultural research community. MA students thrive in a welcoming and encouraging atmosphere, developing close associations with teaching staff and our large cohort of PhD students through shared classes and weekly seminars with renowned visiting speakers.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
How do I fund my study?
The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study.
A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Master's courses in all subject areas. Criteria, eligibility, repayment, and application information are available on the UK government website.
International Scholarships
Curriculum
Course Structure
The degree is structured to allow students to deepen their understanding of key aspects of translation theory and/or choose to concentrate on more practice-based activities. Delivered through a combination of seminars, workshops, guided private study, a programme of visiting speakers and appropriate professional practice, the structure of the degree will enable students to work towards both of these objectives, or to focus more intensively on one of them. In addition to the elements for which they are enrolled, students are encouraged to audit as many other elements of the programme as they wish.
Students may enrol on a full-time (1 year) or part-time (3 years) basis. Part-time students typically complete one or two modules per semester. Full-time students typically complete three modules per semester.
The MA Translation is awarded to students who successfully complete six taught modules (120 CATS points) and a 15,000 word research or practice-based (translation and commentary) dissertation (60 CATS points).
Students must pass all taught modules before proceeding to the Dissertation.
Course Details
Core Modules
- Theory and Practice of Translation (Core, compulsory)
- Business of Translation (Core, Compulsory)
- Modules Audio-Visual Translation (elective)
- Literary Translation (elective)
- Principles of Community Interpreting (elective)
- Technical Translation (elective)
- Translation and Media (elective)
- Translating for Performance (elective)
- Meaning, Sense and Translation (elective)
- Dissertation (core, compulsory)
What Else Will I Do?
You will also have the opportunity to attend weekly 2-hour language-specific workshops, where students work with a tutor on practical translation tasks with a range of text types. Our Guest Seminar Series attracts renowned scholars and practitioners, providing students with an opportunity to become familiar with a range of translation research topics and professional experiences. Students are also encouraged to audit all classes so as to make the most of the available teaching, classroom experiences and recommended readings.
Learning and Teaching
Compulsory modules provide all students with a thorough grounding in the theory and practice of translation (Theory and Practice of Translation) as well as equipping them with the skills and knowledge of the translation industry needed to thrive as a professional translator upon completion of the course (The Business of Translation). The wide range of elective modules offered ensures that students are able to direct the focus of their studies according to their own interests and goals.
The programme is distinguished by a strong emphasis on practical work and weekly translation workshops are provided in a wide range of languages including: Arabic, Chinese French, German, Irish, Polish, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. They are led by expert tutors and provide an opportunity for developing advanced language knowledge and building a high level of translation competence through hands-on work where theoretical ideas can be put into practice. Students may attend as many weekly workshops as they wish and are also welcome to conduct practice-based research for all assignments, including the summer dissertation.
Our teaching approach emphasises the development of intellectual independence through regular small-group discussions with both peers and staff throughout the programme. Classroom discussions often build on insights from speakers in our weekly seminar series, giving students space to critically reflect on and respond to cutting-edge research in the field. Other enrichment events are also regularly organised with external contributors to further broaden the range of ideas to which students are exposed; events held in recent years include a special session on Translation and Music, organised in collaboration with the QUB Music department, and a hands on workshop on games localisation, organised in collaboration with a leading localisation firm.
Finally, our multilingual classrooms also provide valuable opportunities for the development of broader intercultural communication skills. Support for the development of postgraduate-level research skills is provided in regular writing workshops and a weekly ‘Dissertation Forum’ held in semester two, specifically designed to ensure students are well prepared for their independent research project over the summer months. This is in addition to the wide range of academic training courses available to all students through the QUB Graduate School.
Learning and Teaching
Compulsory modules provide all students with a thorough grounding in the theory and practice of translation (Theory and Practice of Translation) as well as equipping them with the skills and knowledge of the translation industry needed to thrive as a professional translator upon completion of the course (The Business of Translation). The wide range of elective modules offered ensures that students are able to direct the focus of their studies according to their own interests and goals.
The programme is distinguished by a strong emphasis on practical work and weekly translation workshops are provided in a wide range of languages including: Arabic, Chinese French, German, Irish, Polish, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. They are led by expert tutors and provide an opportunity for developing advanced language knowledge and building a high level of translation competence through hands-on work where theoretical ideas can be put into practice. Students may attend as many weekly workshops as they wish and are also welcome to conduct practice-based research for all assignments, including the summer dissertation.
Our teaching approach emphasises the development of intellectual independence through regular small-group discussions with both peers and staff throughout the programme. Classroom discussions often build on insights from speakers in our weekly seminar series, giving students space to critically reflect on and respond to cutting-edge research in the field. Other enrichment events are also regularly organised with external contributors to further broaden the range of ideas to which students are exposed; events held in recent years include a special session on Translation and Music, organised in collaboration with the QUB Music department, and a hands on workshop on games localisation, organised in collaboration with a leading localisation firm.
Finally, our multilingual classrooms also provide valuable opportunities for the development of broader intercultural communication skills. Support for the development of postgraduate-level research skills is provided in regular writing workshops and a weekly ‘Dissertation Forum’ held in semester two, specifically designed to ensure students are well prepared for their independent research project over the summer months. This is in addition to the wide range of academic training courses available to all students through the QUB Graduate School.
Assessment
Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:
- Critical Essays
- Translations and commentaries
- Research projects
- Reflective log book
- Annotated bibliography
- Research proposal
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Careers in translation can be both highly intellectual and extremely rewarding in a practical sense. In addition to international organizations, translators can work in a range of roles in diverse companies or as freelance translators working for agencies and/or direct clients. Professional translation skills are valued in many areas of employment, notably banking and finance, politics, NGOs, publishing, libraries, arts venues, management consultancy, law, and jobs in engineering and manufacturing, due to their international client base. Translators are also required in a wide range of other activities and lines of work, including aiding police investigations and other security services, supporting migrant communities, conference proceedings, sports events, and governmental communications.
Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
English Language Requirements
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