Overview

With English and Chinese as working languages, our Translation and Interpreting MA will allow you to hone the skills you need to excel in your chosen professional domain.

Our lecturers have a wealth of professional experience, both in-house and freelance. They have worked in the fields of translation, localisation, and conference interpreting.

You will gain an understanding of how theory and practice intersect in translation and interpreting. You’ll have access to our state-of-art conference interpreting suite. You’ll also benefit from both our industry experience and established connections.

The Translation and Interpreting Master’s has two stages. Each stage lasts one year.

You can study for two years. In your first year, you’ll join the Translation and Interpreting MA. Then in your second year, you’ll continue on the Translation and Interpreting pathway or choose to study:

• Conference Interpreting MA
• Translation and Localisation MA
• Translation Studies MA

You can also study for one year. You’ll join the Translation and Interpreting MA directly at Stage 2. This option will depend on your previous qualifications and experience.

Important information

We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

What you’ll learn

Stage 1

You’ll gain a thorough grounding in both translation and interpreting skills and knowledge. You’ll study modules such as Consecutive Interpreting, Sight Translation, Simultaneous Interpreting, and Localisation: Practice and Theory.

Our translation modules focus on improving your written translation skills to create translations of a professional standard. You’ll use computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools to create full translation projects with functions such as translation memories (TM), term bases (TB), and quality assurance (QA) checks.

Stage 2

You’ll develop more advanced translation and interpreting skills and knowledge. This involves working in more specialised areas with more demanding industry requirements (international conferences, multinational institutions and corporates).

You will acquire an expert understanding of conference interpreting, remote interpreting, translation and localisation. You can also gain audio-visual translation skills on our Subtitle and Video Game Translation module.

You’ll receive enhanced training on:

• translating more technically demanding texts (science, commerce, law, art, and technology)
• strategically approaching a range of more complex industry-specific client briefs
• theoretical models of interpreting and understanding your workspace and equipment
• the latest development in remote interpreting (RSI)
• performing different modes of interpreting with appropriate techniques on a range of topics
• leveraging theoretical knowledge to carry out interpreting and translation assignments that meet industry requirements

With our expert guidance and industry opportunities, you’ll succeed in the fields of translation and conference interpreting.

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

How you’ll learn

Your development

Professional opportunities and development

We have a global reputation for our expertise in translation, audio-visual translation (AVT), and interpreting. A growing number of organisations offer our students opportunities to gain professional experience.

We organise industry talks, study visits and internship work placements.

Past examples include:

• study visits to the United Nations Office in Vienna and Rome
• translating and subtitling (AVT) opportunities with our industry contacts
• study visits to the EU’s Directorate General for Translation and European Commission in Brussels, and to international organisations in The Hague
• interpreting and remote interpreting opportunities with our industry contacts

We’ll help you take up translation, AVT, video game translation, and other digital localisation assignments that are offered to our school. You’ll also be able to participate in conferences as a trainee interpreter.

You will keep up to date with the latest developments in localisation. We have full academic membership with the Globalization and Localization Association (GALA).

You can obtain academic membership from established translator and interpreter societies, such as the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIoL).

Your future

What can you do with a Translation and Interpreting MA degree?

Our graduates use their linguistic, IT, and interpersonal skills, and cultural knowledge in a range of sectors.

Conference Interpreting careers

• in-house simultaneous and/or consecutive interpreter for international organisations and corporations
• in-house linguist, providing support on a range of interpreting and translation projects
• freelance self-employed interpreter
• event/conference planner
• conference interpreting trainers and instructors

Audio Visual Translation (AVT) careers

• in-house subtitle translator (translation and dubbing of audio-visual content)
• in-house project manager in a translation agency, working on a range of AVT projects
• freelance subtitle translator, working as a self-employed translator and dubber of audio-visual content

Localisation careers

• in-house localisation in an agency, working on digital and non-digital products (from brochures to apps, websites and video games)
• in-house project manager working for a localisation agency
• freelance localisation – running your own business as a self-employed independent localisation specialist
• cultural liaison – working for developers or companies in one locale liaising with clients and publishers in another locale to promote products

Translation careers

• in-house linguists working for a translation agency
• in-house project manager working for a translation agency
• freelance self-employed translator
• translating documents for EU Institutions and members of the European Parliament

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

Facilities

Language Resource Centre

Our Language Resource Centre is dedicated to the study of languages. It contains a vast collection of books, journals, and audio-visual tools. It also has computing facilities linked to a digital speech bank.

Computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools

You’ll use professional CAT tools like Trados and memoQ, which are installed in the Language Resource Centre for ease of access. You’ll receive free 1-year licenses and have the option of using this software on personal computers.

Other teaching and learning facilities

We have two dedicated interpreting suites, including an UN-standard conference interpreting suite. You will have access to digital platforms for interpreting training and practice. We also have a senior common room where you can relax, eat or study

The Philip Robinson Library has an excellent collection of books and articles on translation and interpreting studies, as well as AVT and localisation. Many materials can also be read online via the library’s digital service.

Entry requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.