MA Translation

at Goldsmiths University of London

Compulsory modules
The compulsory modules on this programme offer a solid grounding in the theory and practice of translation across diverse areas of professional practice. These are taught in seminar-based and tutorial small-group sessions and may include an individually supervised translation project.

You will also have access to the specialist teaching and research expertise offered by subject experts in the Department of English and Creative Writing in linguistics, comparative literature, and literary theory, from discourse analysis, sociolinguistics, and language and its interface with issues of gender, ethnicity and identity, to key currents of concern in literary and cultural theory and the role of the text in shifting boundaries of cultural and linguistic identity in a globalised, multicultural world.

Students undertaking the translation work experience module will work directly with an external organisation to provide a range of translation and other language services and gain first-hand experience of translation in a professional setting.

You will also undertake a dissertation in which you will either reflect critically on one aspect of the theory and/or practice of translation, or focus on the practice of translation by completing a concrete practical translation project of your choice.

Module title    

• Thinking Translation: Introduction to Translation Theory    
• MA Translation Dissertation
• Becoming a Translator    

You should have a minimum of 2:1 (or equivalent) in a subject relevant to the programme or relevant equivalent experience. 

You will also need to provide a personal statement (in English) in which you describe:

• why you are applying to the MA Translation and what you hope to achieve if successful
• your native or near-native fluency in at least one other language in addition to English. You should describe: any translations you may have undertaken and the purpose and context in which you undertook these; any experience you have of reading, speaking and writing in at least one other language in addition to English; and/or any relevant academic, professional or voluntary work experience. You may wish to attach any samples of writing in at least one other language in addition to English and/or any translations you may have produced
• your assessment of your ability to translate into the language in which you are dominant from the language(s) you have learned in addition to your native language

Annual tuition fees

These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2022/2023 academic year.

• Home - full-time: £9260
• International - full-time: £15820

If your fees are not listed here, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time if you require a Student Visa, however this is currently being reviewed and will be confirmed in the new year. Please read our visa guidance in the interim for more information. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.

Skills
The MA in Translation provides you with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in translation. The interdisciplinary optional module choices allow you to tailor your studies according to your career plans. Through fortnightly academic and professional development workshops, guided mentoring and regular practical translation assignments, you'll develop professional behaviours and leadership skills to build your translation portfolio and prepare for the translation industry. 

Careers
This degree will equip graduates with the skills and expertise to compete for work as professional translators across the public and private sectors, both in the UK and abroad. The possibility of taking optional modules from other departments means that you can supplement your translator training with knowledge of the arts, media, communications, marketing and publishing industries.