Program Overview

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Specialised Translation MA

Overview

Our Specialised Translation MA offers advanced training in preparation for a career in translation. This course is open to both native and non-native speakers of English who also speak any of the following languages: Chinese, French, German, Italian, or Spanish. Native English speakers have the option to combine English with two other languages, while non-native speakers will combine it with one.

Course Structure

The following modules are indicative of what you'll study on this course.

• Specialised Translation MA with English and one other language
  • This pathway is open to both native and non-native English speakers who combine English with one other language.
• Specialised Translation MA with English and two other languages
  • This pathway is open to native English speakers who combine English with two other languages.

Core Modules

• Specialised Translation
  • This module offers practical, language-specific translation training, utilising a wide range of specialist texts of the kind you will be expected to handle in a professional context.
• Translation Skills Lab
  • This module equips you with a wide range of practice-oriented skills needed to succeed in the language services industry.
• Audiovisual Translation and Localisation
  • The module is designed for students who wish to become familiar with the principles and processes of audiovisual translation and localisation.
• Computer-assisted Translation, Machine Translation, and Post-editing
  • The module is designed for students combining English with any other language, who wish to become familiar with the nature and particularities of computer-assisted translation (CAT), machine translation (MT) and post-editing.
• Professional Development
  • This module offers a range of seminars and workshops designed to prepare you for your working lives as translators, either in-house or freelance.
• MA Translation Project or MA Dissertation
  • The MA Translation Project consists of individual study for and completion of an extended piece of translation, accompanied by an analytic commentary and a set of annotations on the translation process.
  • The MA Dissertation is the development, execution, and writing-up of an independent research project on a topic of your choice.

Option Modules

• International Organisations and Institutional Discourse
  • This module aims to develop a critical understanding of the interaction between language, discourse and power, as it is projected in an institutional communication context.
• Translation as Cultural Practice
  • This module examines the ways in which translation, conceived as a cultural practice, can be understood within diverse linguistic, social, professional and historical contexts.

Professional Recognition

The University of Westminster is a Higher Education Language partner of the Chartered Institute of Linguists, and a member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting, the Conférence Internationale permanente d’Instituts Universitaires de Traducteurs et Interprètes (CIUTI), Elia Exchange, and the UN MoU Network, a group of international signatories to a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations on cooperation in the training of language professionals for the UN language competitive examinations.

Careers

The Specialised Translation MA is designed to enable you to succeed as a professional linguist and/or engage in further research. The course has an excellent graduate employment record, and our membership of Elia Exchange ensures that we can assist you in securing high-quality work placements both during the course and following graduation.

Entry Requirements

• A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2). Linguists without a degree but with sufficient experience in a relevant area will also be considered.
• Applicants will be interviewed in person or on the telephone and set a translation test to check their suitability for the course.
• The course is open to native speakers of English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Spanish and Chinese. Applicants will need fluent written and spoken English.
• Most successful applicants will have met the IELTS requirement when they submit their application, as excellent English language skills are fundamentally important.

Fees and Funding

• UK tuition fee: £4,850 (Price per academic year)
• International tuition fee: £8,750 (Price per academic year)
• Alumni discount: This course is eligible for an alumni discount.
• Funding: There is a range of funding available that may help you fund your studies, including Student Finance England (SFE).
• Scholarships: The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.

Teaching and Assessment

• Teaching methods across all our postgraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application.
• Learning typically falls into two broad categories: Scheduled hours and Independent study.
• Our postgraduate courses include a variety of assessments, which typically fall into three broad categories: Written exams, Practical, and Coursework.

Research Groups

Our research achieves real-world impact and we are proud to claim a rich and diverse profile of high-quality research and knowledge exchange in a wide range of disciplines.

• Westminster Forum for Language and Linguistics

Supporting You

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

• Study support – workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
• Personal tutors – support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
• Student advice team – provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
• Extra-curricular activities – volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Course Location

Our Regent Campus is composed of three sites, situated on and around Regent Street – one of the most famous and vibrant streets in London.

• Humanities subjects are based at 309 Regent Street, which includes recently refurbished social spaces, gym facilities and our Regent Street Cinema.