Program Overview

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Translation Studies

Overview

Earn a triple-accredited Masters in Translation Studies online. Develop your linguistic and entrepreneurial skills, and learn what’s required to succeed in the translation industry.

Qualifications

• MSc
• PgDip
• PgCert

Key Info - MSc

• Learning mode: Online
• Study level: Postgraduate SCQF Level 11
• Credits: 180
• Typical duration: 12 - 28 months
• Start month: September or January
• Indicative cost: £10,760

Key Info - PgDip

• Learning mode: Online
• Study level: Postgraduate SCQF Level 11
• Credits: 120
• Typical duration: 8 - 24 months
• Start month: September or January
• Indicative cost: £7,140

Key Info - PgCert

• Learning mode: Online
• Study level: Postgraduate SCQF Level 11
• Credits: 60
• Typical duration: 8 - 12 months
• Start month: September or January
• Indicative cost: £3,520

What You’ll Study

• What you’ll study
• How you’ll study
• Where this will take you
• Fees and funding
• Entry requirements

Join an Accredited Masters in Translation Studies

Earn the qualifications you need to enter professional life as a translator. In this accredited online translation degree, we’ll prepare you for the real demands of the translation industry.

A Triple-Accredited Masters in Translation Studies

This online translation degree is accredited by the:

• Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI)
• Association of Translation Companies (ATC)
• Association of Programmes in Translation and Interpreting Studies (APTIS)

Who Can Join This Online Masters in Translation Studies?

This distance learning Masters in Translation Studies is suitable for graduates in any discipline, practising translators, or anyone interested in the field of translation, languages in contact, and intercultural communication.

Choose the University of Aberdeen for Your Masters in Translation Studies

• 4th in the UK for linguistics
• Fits around full-time work
• Earn a respected Masters degree

What You’ll Study

You can choose from the following courses that make up this degree. You can study for a:

• Masters (180 credits)
• Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
• Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)

Master of Science - 180 credits

You’ll work through 120 credits worth of courses and a 60-credit dissertation or project to earn your MSc.

Compulsory Courses

Earn 75 credits from these compulsory courses.

• 30 credits: Key Concepts and Methods in Translation Studies
• 30 credits: Language-Specific Translation Portfolio
• 15 credits: Editing, Proofreading and Reviewing for Translators

Optional Courses

Choose three of these courses to earn another 45 credits.

• 15 credits: Additional Language-specific Translation Portfolio
• 15 credits: Literary Translation
• 15 credits: Translation Technology
• 15 credits: Professional Skills for Translators

Dissertation or Project

Then complete your dissertation or project to earn your final 60 credits and complete the MSc.

• 60 credits: Dissertation / Translation Project in Translation Studies

Postgraduate Diploma - 120 credits

You’ll work through 120 credits worth of courses to earn your PgDip.

Compulsory Courses

Earn 75 credits from these compulsory courses.

• 30 credits: Language-Specific Translation Portfolio
• 30 credits: Key Concepts and Methods in Translation Studies
• 15 credits: Editing, Proofreading and Reviewing for Translators

Optional Courses

Choose three of these courses to earn another 45 credits.

• 15 credits: Additional Language-specific Translation Portfolio
• 15 credits: Literary Translation
• 15 credits: Translation Technology
• 15 credits: Professional Skills for Translators

Postgraduate Certificate - 60 credits

You’ll work through 60 credits worth of courses to earn your PgCert.

Courses

• 30 credits: Key Concepts and Methods in Translation Studies
• 15 credits: Editing, Proofreading and Reviewing for Translators
• 15 credits: Literary Translation
• 15 credits: Professional Skills for Translators
• 15 credits: Translation Technology

How You’ll Study

Online Learning

This distance-learning Masters in Translation Studies is delivered flexibly, 100% online.

Your Teaching

We use a range of teaching methods in this degree to give you an excellent balance between theory and practice.

Regular Online Support

You’ll have two online sessions with your degree coordinator each term, to check on your progress and discuss any questions you might have.

Your Tutors

This online translation degree is delivered by our School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture (LLMVC).

Assessment

This translation degree is assessed online.

Study Hours

Hours for Taught Courses

If you plan to study part-time, we recommend you take no more than 30 credits per term.

• 30-credit courses: Around 300 hours of study and assessment time to complete.
• 15-credit courses: Around 150 hours of study and assessment time to complete.

Study Experience

When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure so that you’re never alone in your studies.

Support

Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies.

Use Your Local University Libraries

We’re a member of the Access scheme run by the Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL).

Your Support Team

Our friendly team are here to answer any queries you have before, during and after your studies.

Where This Will Take You

Your Accredited Masters in Translation Studies

You’ll graduate with an accredited Masters in Translation Studies from the University of Aberdeen, one of the UK’s six ancient universities.

Careers

Given the increasing internationalisation of governments, businesses and other employment sectors, demand for professional translation skills is at an all-time high.

What Our Students Say

Thomas Berntsen - MSc Translation Studies Student

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time doing the MSc in Translation Studies. The practical and applied side of the programme is absolutely invaluable to anyone who wishes to have a future in translation.

Huangxin Zheng - MSc Translation Studies Student

“Reflective thinking is the key to Maria’s teaching and practising sessions, which greatly boosted our professional studies.

Lifelong Career Support

Our career support doesn’t stop when you graduate.

Fees and Funding

Master of Science

180 credits: £10,760

Postgraduate Diploma

120 credits: £7,140

Postgraduate Certificate

60 credits: £3,520

Pay as You Go

This is a pay-as-you-go qualification.

Your Personalised Cost Breakdown

Use the degree scheduler to plan your studies and see your cost breakdown, term by term.

Additional Costs

Learning Resources

Access to all the essential books and resources you need are included in your tuition fee.

Printing

You may want to set aside a small budget for printing, depending on how you like to work.

Funding Your Studies

There are several ways you may be able to get help funding your studies:

• Employer sponsorship
• Student loans
• Scholarships

Discounts

20% Alumni Discount

You’re entitled to 20% off our postgraduate taught degrees and short courses if you have a degree from the University of Aberdeen.

Entry Requirements

Masters, PgDip, PgCert

The language of instruction for this degree is English.

To join this degree, you need to have:

• a 2:2 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in any discipline
• an advanced-level fluency in English (B2 minimum), and
• grammatical and structural knowledge (C1/C2) of your native language (English or other).

You also need to have an advanced-level fluency (B2 minimum, preferably C1) in one or two of the following languages:

• Arabic
• French
• Gaelic
• German
• Mandarin Chinese
• Polish, or
• Spanish.

International Students

Entry Requirements

We welcome students from all over the world.

See the minimum entry requirements above. If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check equivalent qualifications from your country.

Visa Requirements

You do not need a student visa to study online with us.

English Language Requirements

Teaching is delivered in English.

If English is not your first language, use our English requirements checklist to see if you need to provide evidence of your English language skills when you apply.

How to Apply

You apply through our online Applicant Portal. It allows you to upload relevant qualifications and documents.

There is no application fee for our online degrees.

What You Need to Apply for This Degree

• Degree transcript
• Personal statement
• Degree certificate
• CV / Resume
• References x2

References

You will need two reference letters. One should be from your university discussing your academic ability. If you have been out of education for a long time, you can use your current or most recent employers or other professional individuals.

When to Apply

You can apply to start in either September or January.

Apply as early as you can. This is so we have time to review your application and get a decision to you. We also want to ensure you have time to enrol before teaching starts.

September 2025 Intake

For our September 2025 intake, the application deadline is 8 September 2025.

You will need to accept your offer and provide any outstanding documents to meet the conditions of your offer by 15 September 2025.

Teaching starts on 22 September 2025.

January 2026 Intake

Teaching starts on 26 January 2026.

Application deadlines will be announced in due course.

IT Requirements

You will need access to:

A Computer (PC, Laptop or Mac) with an Up-to-Date Operating System

Translation Technology: you will need a Windows-based laptop or PC to take this optional course. This is because the translation software program used in this course, MemoQ, works only on the Windows operating system.

Most teaching materials are smartphone- and tablet-friendly. But we recommend a proper laptop or desktop for completing assignments comfortably.

Reliable Internet Access

We recommend:

• a wired connection
• a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.

Speakers or Headphones

• We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you’re likely to study in an environment with background noise.
• A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one from some interactive sessions.

Software

We’ll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneDrive and install these programs on up to five personal devices.

We’ll also give you access to, and training in, specialist translation software as part of this degree. We’ll provide you with a licence to the required software that lasts throughout your studies.