Through working with dedicated software and high-tech industry standard equipment, you will learn the skills that you need to enter the professional market.
Start Date:
September 2023
Duration:
1 year (full-time)
2 years (part-time)
Degree Type:
MA/PGDip/PGCert
Number of credits:
MA: 180 credits
PGDip: 120 credits
PGCert: 60 credits
School:
Entry Requirements
Specific entry requirements
Students must be able to work into or out of English and another language. Language combinations usually include English with Arabic, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish, although combinations of other languages with English may also be offered. We welcome enquiries from students with Finnish, Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, and Romanian. The decision to run any particular language combination is subject to demand and at the discretion of the Programme Convener in consultation with the Dean of School.
Postgraduate, Master's and Doctoral On-Campus Open Evening
Wednesday 8 February 2023, 5–7:30pm
University of Roehampton London is ranked top 10 in the UK for postgraduate student satisfaction (PTES 2022)
Why this course
The University has a state-of-the-art language lab with cutting-edge translation software including SDL Trados, Swift and WinCAPS.
Roehampton’s location in London is ideal, as the city has established itself as one of the main centres for translation in the world.
The programme is taught by academic staff and by experts from the industry who bring their professional experience into the classroom.
Corporate member of the Institute of Translators and Interpreters.
Course and Module Details
Overview:
This programme aims to address the growing demand for translators with skills in translating technical texts, and will familiarise you with the sociocultural, linguistic and technical dimensions that characterise specialised multilingual material.
During the course you will also address the main theoretical issues shaping translation today and understand how these theories relate to the practice of translation. You will learn how to document your translations efficiently and make appropriate use of research tools in solving technical and scientific translation problems.
IT skills are central to a translator's work, and the compulsory module ‘Translation Tools’ will familiarise you with some of the translation tools you will be using in your professional life. These include terminology databases, translation memory tools, and other computer-assisted translation systems, as well as machine translation services.
You will work between English and another language of your choice, translating into your mother tongue. There is a strong emphasis on translation tools (in particular SDL Trados Studio) and on localisation, e.g. for video games, as well as on technical and scientific translation, and translation-specific professional skills. In addition, you will be able to choose optional modules from the wide range offered in our other MA courses, the MA Audiovisual Translation and the MA Intercultural Communication in the Creative Industries.
You will complete your MA with a dissertation, which allows you to carry out a practical translation task with a commentary or to apply your understanding, knowledge, and analytical, conceptual and personal skills to an in-depth investigation of a translation-related topic.
You will be taught by staff who are leaders in the field of translation and whose work has influenced national and international organisations. They work closely with industry and bring in prominent professionals to teach and give talks, helping you to make vital industry contacts. The programme is a corporate member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting.
Roehampton boasts state-of-the-art language labs with cutting-edge translation software, including SDL Trados Studio, Dragon Naturally Speaking, and WinCAPS. The lab features a training suite and an open access area where you can work independently.
Placements with translation/localisation companies are at the heart of this MA. Placements are not compulsory, but you will benefit from the extensive industry contacts of members of staff and the visits of key professionals in order to help you find a placement that suits your interests.
In recent years our graduates have found work with a broad range of organisations including: media companies and broadcasters such as the BBC, France TV, and RTVE; subtitling companies such as Red Bee Media, Deluxe, ITFC; and translation and localisation providers including Pole To Win, London Translations, and Smoke & Mirrors.
A Windows OS computer is necessary to use most of our professional software packages. While all our lessons are on-campus and this will provide students with the best experience, we've made it possible for courses to be followed remotely online so that students with other commitments don't lose out.
Out of English into: Arabic, Chinese, Czech, Danish, French, Finnish, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish.
Into English from: French, Greek, Italian, Japanese, German, Spanish
(Contact us about other language pairs)
Corporate member of International Translators and Interpreters
Member of APTIS
Supported by
Modules
These modules are those we currently offer and may be subject to change each year.
Indicative Timetable
Students on this course are normally in Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday amd Friday (Day & Evening).
Contact us for further information.
Tuition fees and funding
September 2023 entry tuition fees
Year 1 fees, see links in table below for more information.
September 2023 funding
Career Options
Students go on to careers in a broad range of media companies and broadcasters, subtitling companies, translation and localisation providers, and production houses with in-house translation teams.
Our students have gone to work to many companies in the entertainment and language service industries - from the BBC, Netflix, Fremantle and Deluze to Lionbridge, Playstation, SEGA and Ubisoft.
They perform a variety of professional roles such as subtiling, translating, localising, style editing, dialogue writing, copywriting and cultural consulting.
How to apply
Postgraduate programmes
You can now apply for any programme for any entry point in 2023.
All postgraduate taught applications can be made via our online application form.
- Check our application deadlines
- View our entry requirements for postgraduate programmes
- View our general entry criteria and application FAQs below
If you need any help or advice with your application, or just want to ask us a question before you apply, please do not hesitate to contact us.
International students
Please note that most international applicants have to pay a deposit before securing their place.
- See our Finance pages for more details
Postgraduate application process FAQs
How do I apply?
To apply, you need to complete our online application form.
Do I need to complete all of my online application at once?
No, you can save and revisit your application form and can contact us directly at any time if you need advice or assistance.
What are the entry criteria and fees?
We have general entry requirements for postgraduate courses. Many of our courses also have specific entry requirements. You can find details of these, and the fees for individual courses, on our postgraduate course pages.
What is the deadline for postgraduate applications?
If you are a prospective postgraduate student who has home fee status, then you can apply close to the start of the course of study. However, if you have international fee status and require a Tier 4 Visa, then you will normally need to apply much earlier. Please see our application deadlines for postgraduate study.
We encourage all students to apply as early as possible, as some programmes have limited numbers.
Does Roehampton offer financial support for postgraduates?
Yes, we offer a range of scholarships, alongside support on managing your finances while you are with us.
You can find more information on our postgraduate home and postgraduate international financial support pages. There are also other sources of external funding for international students available.
Do you offer student accommodation for postgraduates?
Yes, we have a wide range of high quality and competitively priced on-campus student residences. We are able to offer quiet rooms and can adjust for those with specific access needs.
Find out more on our accommodation pages.
Need help before you apply?
Who Teaches Specialised Translation?
Miguel Bernal-Merino
I'm Miguel and I am the Programme Convener of our three MAs in Translation and Intercultural Communication.
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