Course overview

Our successful MA Translation Studies degree is now available via distance learning as well as on campus. The languages currently offered are: Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Russian, Spanish and Portuguese. Our unit coordinators and tutors are active in research and scholarship, and have wide experience of the world of professional translation. The annual Portsmouth Translation Conference attracts national, European and international scholars, the translation profession and postgraduate students. The MA Translation Studies is a member of the European Masters in Translation network co-ordinated by the Directorate-General for Translation of the European Commission. 

For detailed information, please consult the Course Pathway Guide.

Course content

You will study two 30-credit core units and two optional units as well as the Dissertation. The aim of the core units is to achieve a balance between the tools and analytical concepts of theory on the one hand and translation practice on the other. The core units are complemented by optional units which cater for the needs of students wishing to offer two foreign languages at an advanced level and which cover recent developments in IT relating to the translation industry. The Independent Learning unit offers an opportunity to gain credit for a work placement. The Translation Project affords an opportunity for specialisation, as does the Dissertation. For an overview of all course units please access the Course Structure. 

• Theory & Practice of Translation
• Specialised Translation
• Dissertation/Major Project
• 2 options from:
  • Second Specialised Translation
  • Translation Project
  • Translation Technologies 
  • Independent Learning

The MA Translation Studies has a strong practical element and features units that have a high degree of professional relevance and training, enabling you to learn the basics of staff, agency and freelance translation work.

Exit levels

The credit system creates a flexible framework in which you can graduate with one of the following awards, depending on the number of credits gained:

• MA in Translation Studies (four core units plus the research management and dissertation units): 180 credits
• Postgraduate Diploma in Translation Studies: 120 credits
• Postgraduate Certificate in Translation Studies: 60 credits

Teaching and assessment

The distance learning programme will provide you with online learning materials for a number of the units. These will be supported by asynchronous online discussion with the tutors responsible for the various course units and with other students on the course. You will also be able to communicate with your tutors on a one-to-one basis (e.g., by email or telephone). In summary, the course has a delivery framework which is both disciplined and flexible.

Assessments include translations, essays and projects. All translation-related assessments provide the opportunity to practise your translation skills and simultaneously to reflect on this practice. Other assignments will evaluate your technical expertise, research skills, ability to read critically and grasp of the principal theoretical concepts relating to translation.

 

 

Career prospects

An MA in Translation Studies offers a range of career opportunities. If you already have a specialist interest when you embark upon the course you will be in a good position to further your career with a higher qualification. If you do not have a specialism then the course will provide you with a platform on which to develop the relevant knowledge and skills. Ambitious graduates may wish to aim at one of the more coveted jobs in European or international private or public organisations. Translation graduates are in demand for translation project management as well as editing, copywriting and related posts. The programme facilitates contact with professional associations and opportunities for finding internships and jobs with regional, national and international employers. We also run regular activities and events around translation to which our distance students are welcome. Further details on our translation programme and activities are available at http://www.port.ac.uk/translation.

Facilities and features

Special features include:

• units of study delivered at three points in the year – October, February and June – enabling you to progress at your own pace
• the possibility of having appropriate qualifications and experience count toward your degree (accreditation of prior learning)
• tutors with extensive experience of the profession and an active translation research environment
• an ability to pursue particular interests and expertise, not only in the dissertation, but also in the optional Translation Project unit

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for MA Translation Studies (DL) are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: School of Languages and Area Studies (SLAS)
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 8299
Email: humanities.admissions@port.ac.uk