Translation Studies

Entry requirements

Months of entry

October

Course content

Our Masters in Translation Studies is recognised all over the world for its academic quality, its innovative approach to translation, and its relevance. Our students go on to successful international careers in professional translation and interpreting, academic research, diplomacy, business, journalism, and cultural entrepreneurship. They also go into professions unrelated to translation and interpreting, having acquired mastery of several languages alongside valuable expertise and experience in transcultural understanding.

What do we teach?

As members of the European Masters in Translation Network we specialise in a wide range of languages: Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish. In addition, we offer core modules in the complex skills required of translators in the 21st century, including essential technological competences and strategies of intercultural mediation.

We teach our students to analyse translation as a profession, an academic discipline, and a wider set of cultural practices. In whichever direction our students choose to develop critical and research skills, our MA helps them to become better readers, listeners, communicators, and thinkers.

We offer our students an outstanding range of work placements from which to gain highly relevant professional experience. These placements take our students into the European Commission and other international institutions, into museums and galleries, and into many other parts of the culture, heritage, and creative sectors. Wherever they go, our students blaze a trail for future cohorts, creating a dynamic network of Durham Translation graduates across the world.

Core and optional modules:

Modules may include:

• Translation Theory and Research Skills
• Specialised Translation (Arabic <> English, Chinese <> English, French <> English, German <> English, Italian <> English, Japanese <> English, Russian <> English, Spanish <> English)

• Specialised Translation Language 2
• Crossing Cultures: Word, Text and Image in Translation
• History of Translation
• Introduction to Linguistics for Translation
• Translation Ethics and Intercultural Project Management
• World Literature and Translation
• Translation Work Placement
• Conference Interpreting Chinese <> English
• Consecutive Interpreting English <> Chinese
• Introduction to Linguistics for Translation
• Grant writing for Masters students

*Availability of optional modules will depend on student recruitment and staff availability

• Translation Studies Dissertation
• Extended Translation Project
• Translation Project 1 + Translation Project 2

Information for international students

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

Fees and funding

For further information see the course listing.