Translation Studies MSc

Over the duration of the programme, you will take:

• two core courses
• two practical translation courses
• two optional courses

You will choose these from a wide range of subjects. Each course is worth 20 credits.

Core courses

The core courses are:

• Translation Studies 1, which introduces some of the major concepts in translation theory and focuses on their application to translation practice
• Research in Translation Studies, which will provide you with research skills specific to the discipline of translation studies and prepare you for your dissertation

The practical translation courses consist of tutor-led class time and workshops with Translation Studies staff per course, as well as an independent, peer-assessed study component. You will be supervised in practical translation exercises and assessed on a portfolio of translations.

Dissertation

The final element of the programme is your dissertation, a piece of independent research - 15,000 words (worth 60 credits) - written with the advice and support of a designated supervisor.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Upon successful completion of this programme you will:

• develop critical thinking on language use and translation
• understand the key concepts of the academic discipline of translation studies
• learn to implement the diverse approaches to translation prevalent within translation studies in the form of various translation strategies
• broaden and deepen understanding of a variety of issues in relation to translation, such as gender, power relations, and religion
• acquire important transferable skills

Our programme is designed to enhance your industry skills in translation, with practical exercises throughout the year, and a strong emphasis on communication and working to deadline.

We have excellent links with the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) and are an official member of the SDL University Partner Program, providing students with the necessary knowledge, expertise and resources to help prepare for a career in the translation industry.

Completing our MSc will also help you develop and refine your research skills, and theoretical understanding of translation, in ways that will prepare you for further postgraduate study, should you wish to continue your career in an academic environment.

Many of our graduates have gone on to work as freelance and in-house translators, as well as project managers and language teachers. Others work within international companies, and some have continued into doctoral studies.

These entry requirements are for the 2023/24 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2024/25 academic year will be published on 2 October 2023.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a relevant discipline, plus a research interest or professional experience in translation or another relevant field.

Applicants must have native speaker competence in any languages that they apply to work with other than English.

Please consult the offered language pairings available on the programme website:

• Translation studies

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 62 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Featured funding

If you have been domiciled in Scotland for a minimum of four years, and you wish to specialise in French or Spanish on this programme, you may be eligible for a Muriel Smith Scholarship. The award covers tuition fees for a maximum of one year at the Home/EU rate.

• Find out more about this award and other scholarships in literatures, languages and cultures

*(Revised 9 March 2023 to add in featured funding information.)

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding