Are you interested in becoming an adept communicator between different nations or cultures? This exciting and innovative course draws on cutting-edge academic research by a new team of experts in translation, transnational and transcultural studies. You’ll develop a rigorous theoretical understanding of translation, informed by the latest research in transnational and transcultural studies, with the opportunity to produce your own translations and/or analyse and compare existing translations. The interdisciplinary programme examines translation between English and at least one of Chinese (standard Mandarin), French, German, Italian and Spanish in a cultural context. You’ll cover translation theory and practice, as well as transnational and transcultural approaches and multilingualism. You’ll also develop excellent communication and critical skills. After graduating, you’ll be well qualified to seek out work within linguistic and intercultural mediation, or to apply for further study or applied research, including on Warwick’s own PhD programme in Translation and Transcultural Studies.

Core Modules

• Translation Studies in Theory and Practice
• Translation Portfolio
• Research Skills in Modern Languages
• Dissertation

Optional Modules

Previously, a selection of the following options have been offered:

• Trans/national Cultures
• Multilingualism
• The Practice of Literary Translation
• Crossing Borders
• Chinese Poetry and the Western Reader
• Small Press Publishing

Teaching

This is a taught MA with a significant research component in the form of a compulsory Dissertation, which you will be supported in writing by a Dissertation Supervisor who is an expert in the field. The core Translation Portfolio includes provision for group tutorials and peer-to-peer feedback alongside scheduled teaching in a mixed workshop/seminar format.

Contact Hours

The course will involve 35 hours of work per week, typically comprising 3 hours of seminar teaching, 1 hour of lectures, up to 1 hour of tutoring and 30 hours of independent study over Terms 1 and 2; in Term 3, which is focused on the Dissertation, you will typically have a weekly average of one hour of one-to-one supervision and 34 hours of independent study.

Class Sizes

From 1 to 20 for seminar teaching; individual supervision for the dissertation component.

Assessment

Modules are assessed by written assignments, consisting of essays, translations and/or analytical commentaries on translations, as well as by portfolio in the case of some core and option modules. From the Spring Term, students will start work on an approximately 20,000-word Dissertation, which may take the form of a translation and analytical commentary appropriately grounded in relevant academic research.

Minimum requirements 2.ii undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a related subject, e.g. a single or combined Honours Undergraduate degree in Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, or Translation Studies, or another Humanities subject. You will need to provide proof of high-level competence in spoken and written English and in at least one of the following languages: Chinese, French, German, Italian or Spanish. Knowledge of a third language amongst the ones mentioned above is not required, but if you have it please do mention it in your statement.

Language competence

Applicants who cannot provide formal evidence of their level of language competence in a language other than English will be assessed individually by the School. Applicants whose first language is not English or whose first degree was not taught entirely in English will need to provide formal evidence of the following English language requirements.

English language requirements Band B
IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above

International Students
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications. For more information please visit the international entry requirements page.

In all cases
We require one academic reference confirming your Undergraduate performance and your suitability for this course. The deadline for applications for our taught postgraduate courses is the 31st July immediately preceding commencement of study.

For up-to-date information concerning fees, funding and scholarships for Home, EU and Overseas students please visit Warwick's Fees and Funding webpage.

Additional Course Costs

There may be additional costs associated with studying this programme, such as the cost of printing and binding your Dissertation. You should consider these costs when deciding whether or not to accept your offer.

Graduates from these courses have pursued roles such as: translators and translation project managers; authors and writers; legal professionals and marketing associate professionals.

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• Careers in the Public Sector
• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
• Completing effective CVs and Application Forms for students from the School of Modern Languages
• Languages Alumni Evening

There are a number of different ways to visit the University of Warwick throughout the year. We host bespoke PG visits, where you can talk directly with your chosen department and explore our campus through a personalised tour. Some departments also host their own events and open days, where you can learn more about your department or course of study. To find out more about all of these opportunities, visit our Postgraduate Visits page. To arrange a visit directly with the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, please contact pglanguages@warwick.ac.uk.