Translation Studies MA
The Translation Studies MA covers professional and academic training in English and Chinese languages. Translation Studies is an academically focused pathway of our Translation and Localisation MA.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2025
Overview
Our Translation Studies MA combines practical training and theory in the fields of translation, interpreting and localisation. You'll be equipped with the skills and knowledge to build an academic career in the field of translation studies.
This is a one-year Master's programme that uses English and Chinese as working languages.
Important information
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Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you'll learn
You will take compulsory and optional modules that typically include:
- Research Methods
- Translation and Interpreting Studies
- Practical Translating
- Public Service Interpreting
- Localisation
- Subtitle and Video Game Translation
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.
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Compulsory modules
You will take the following compulsory modules:
- Translation and Interpreting Studies (10 credits)
- The Language Industry: Professions, Processes and Society (20 credits)
- Research Methods in Translating and Interpreting (10 credits)
You will take one of the following modules:
- Translation Practice and Analysis: English to Chinese (10 credits)
- Specialised Translation: Chinese to English (10 credits)
You will also take one of the following modules:
- Dissertation (60 credits)
- Translating/Interpreting Project (60 credits)
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Optional Modules |
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20 |
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20 |
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10 |
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10 |
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10 |
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20 |
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10 |
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10 |
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10 |
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10 |
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10 |
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10 |
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10 |
How you'll learn
If you join at Stage 1, you take compulsory modules that typically include:
- translating
- simultaneous interpreting
- consecutive interpreting
- sight translation exercise
- information technology for translators and interpreters
- translation studies
In Stage 2 you take compulsory modules and optional modules. You also complete either a dissertation or a translating/interpreting project.
Depending on your focus, you take further optional modules that cover:
- a sight translation exercise
- bi-lateral interpreting
- English-Chinese subtitle translation
- literary translation
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Computer assessment
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Professional skills assessments
- Oral examination
- Performance
- Portfolio
- Research paper
- Written examination
- Written exercise
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Your future
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.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
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.
Other facilities
The Phillip Robinson Library has an excellent collection of books and articles. There are resources on translation and interpreting studies, audio-visual translation and localisation. Many of these materials are accessible online via the library’s digital service.
You can practice in one of two dedicated interpreting suites. You will also have access to a senior common room where you can relax, eat or study.
Learn more about the School of Modern Languages facilities and resources.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)
As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Find out more about:
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
Search for funding
Find funding available for your course
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
How to apply
Using the application portal
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Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.
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Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
School of Modern Languages
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 5867
Email: modlang.pgadmin@ncl.ac.uk
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