About this program
Translation Studies (Taught)
Our MA in Translation Studies offers core training in the theory and practice of translation. Its design was informed by various protocols and best practice guidelines for the study of translation, to ensure it meets the standards and expectations of the contemporary translation service and industry.
The aim is to provide you with a full understanding of the development of the discipline of translation studies and of the translation industry, allowing you to pursue specialist or vocational interests within a general framework.
We’ll introduce you to the main theoretical issues of translation studies which will allow you to demonstrate how they have a bearing on your specialist area of study, be that the practical translation of literary, legal, medical or administrative texts, or the academic study of translation e.g. its theory and history, or the complex, cultural transactions it involves.
You’ll gain an awareness of the problems of understanding and interpretation raised by the practice of translation and explore them in relation to key theoretical approaches. As a result, you’ll develop analytical, practical, evaluative, aesthetic and expository skills that will serve to address these problems in both applied and theoretical contexts.
The programme also offers grounding in different forms of specialised translation, including interpreting, computer-assisted translation and subtitling. You’ll also have the opportunity to gain experience of different aspects of the translation industry through a series of guest lectures by leading practitioners and tailored placements with a range of national and international employers.
We’ll encourage you to develop research skills specifically related to your specialist area of interest in order, as appropriate, to prepare the theoretical and methodological groundwork for a dissertation or for an annotated translation project. You’ll also develop skills in the balanced interpretation of the cultural and linguistic contexts for the practice of translation, helping you to understand the practical implications of political and cultural arguments in the context of translation studies.
Admission requirements
Candidates should possess or expect to obtain a relevant undergraduate languages degree at a minimum of upper second class honours (2:1) level.
This program is particularly suitable for graduates in language, translation studies, literature and disciplines broadly conceived to have a humanities focus. Applicants with alternative undergraduate degree backgrounds will be given the opportunity to demonstrate that they possess the appropriate linguistic skills and competences for the program in the context of the written language test and interview.
Non-native speakers of English are expected to have a recognised English-language qualification (e.g. IELTS with a score of 6.5 and no subsection below 5.5), as the minimum requirement to be invited to interview. Written and oral competence in English will also be tested at interview.
Note: International students pursuing part-time programs of study are not eligible for Tier 4 (General Student) visas and must have alternative leave to remain in the UK if they intend to study at the University in person.
For more information about admission requirements, please visit the university website.
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Program content
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2022/23 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2022.
Translation Studies (Taught) (Full time)
Year one
- Translation Methods and Skills
- Theory of Translation
Translation Studies (Taught) (Part time)
Year one
Optional modules
- Translation Methods and Skills
- Introduction to Interpreting
- Theory of Translation
- Specialised Translation: Scientific and Technical
- Specialised Translation: Subtitling
- Translation of Minority Languages
- Translation and Adaptation in the Arts
- Specialised Translation Politics and Law
- Translation as Creative Practice
- Introduction to Public Service Interpreting
- Second Language Acquisition
- Training Placement
Year two
Optional modules
- Dissertation
- Dissertation
- Annotated Translation Project
- Annotated Translation Project
- Translation Methods and Skills
- Introduction to Interpreting
- Theory of Translation
- Specialised Translation: Scientific and Technical
- Specialised Translation: Subtitling
- Translation of Minority Languages
- Translation and Adaptation in the Arts
- Specialised Translation Politics and Law
- Translation as Creative Practice
- Introduction to Public Service Interpreting
- Second Language Acquisition
- Training Placement
Scholarships & funding
For more information about scholarships, please visit the university website.
Tuition
Full-Time tuition fees
- UK students:£8,200
- International students:£19,450
Part-Time tuition fees
- UK students:£4,100
- International students:£9,725
For more information about tuition fee, please visit the university website.
Qualification
What skills will I practise and develop?
Knowledge and Understanding
- Understand how the boundaries of knowledge and practice are advanced through Translation Studies research, and be able to deal with complex issues in translation both systematically and creatively, while demonstrating originality in addressing and solving problems.
- Demonstrate a specialist knowledge of the latest scholarly research in the area of Translation Studies, as well as show an ability to reflect upon empirical and theoretical issues in a sophisticated manner; demonstrate conceptual understanding of, and evaluate critically, current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline.
- Display a comprehensive understanding of translation strategies and techniques applicable to your own research or advanced practical scholarship.
Intellectual Skills
- Evaluate translation theories and methodologies, developing critiques of them and, where appropriate, proposing new hypotheses or strategies.
- Demonstrate an ability to appreciate and offer balanced assessments of arguments and theories, and present the findings and conclusions in the assessment essays and, as appropriate, the dissertation.
- Demonstrate an ability to evaluate arguments and theories through reflective commentary in the practical translation exercises completed in Part 1 and, as appropriate, in the Part 2 annotated translation project.
Practical Skills
- Analyse arguments in your written assignments and, as appropriate to the part two assessment pathway chosen, demonstrate a capacity for independent research in the choice and execution of your dissertation topic.
- Deploy appropriate translation strategies to produce translations, which meet professional standards.
- Demonstrate a high level of proficiency in translation practice and critical reflection.
Transferable Skills
- Demonstrate skills of communication and reflection through participation in seminars and through the creation of an independent translation portfolio.
- Apply skills of independent research and/or practice to small and large-scale projects.
- Evaluate evidence and sources in the context of a substantial and original research project.
- Use IT e.g. the Internet, databases, translation software to develop translation skills.
- Demonstrate a commitment to Lifelong Learning through engaging in the process of Personal Development Planning.
Continuing studies
The program is aimed at students who are interested in translation as a basis to pursue a PhD in such disciplines as translation studies, comparative literature, cultural studies or history.
Career paths
The program is aimed at students wishing to pursue a career as professional translators in both public and private sectors as well as in international institutions (such as the European Community and the United Nations).
Our graduates enter a variety of professions: freelance translation, in-house translation for a large corporation, PhD study, Government administration, University administration, a range of roles in large trans-national organisations such as the United Nations World Health Organisation.
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About this institute
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is among the top 25 universities in the UK and is ranked 166th in the world. Founded in 1883, Cardiff University combines a prestigious heritage with impressive modern facilities, on one of the most beautiful campuses in the UK....
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Cardiff University
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