Centre for Translation, Interpreting and Localisation Studies
Centre for Translation, Interpreting and Localisation Studies
Dynamic learning – guided by professional trainers following an outstanding curriculum on conference interpreting, translation, and audiovisual translation and media localisation.
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Centre for Translation, Interpreting & Localisation Studies
In 1996 the Centre for Translation Studies was founded at the University of Leeds within the School of Languages, Cultures, and Societies. Many things have changed in both the translation and interpreting industry and profession, and the academic study of translation and interpreting over the years. Our mission and our values have remained the same: to be a centre of excellence in the field, with experienced practitioners delivering the highest quality teaching, and the best academics delivering world class research.
We have always placed great emphasis on tracing and integrating the very latest in technological and industry trends, from the introduction of the first CAT tools, through developments in machine translation, to the recent incorporation of AI into translation, localisation and interpreting processes.
We offer acclaimed Masters and Postgraduate Diplomas in translation, interpreting, and audiovisual translation and localisation in a wide variety of European and non-European language combinations, including all UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) and other languages (German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Thai), paired with English. Our regular professionalisation talks, delivered by industry professionals, put our students in direct contact with the sector and serve as an important insight into careers in the rapidly changing industry. Our links with International Organisations such as the UN and EU, associations, and companies strengthen our training and teaching, and provide career insights.
The mixed theoretical and vocational emphasis of our taught courses allows our students to work in realistic team scenarios which reflect industry practices, while also providing a solid basis for a research degree. We also make use of the latest translation, localisation, and interpreting technologies in our classes to ensure that students are fully equipped to enter the translation industry upon graduation.
Postgraduate diplomas
85%
"world leading" or "internationally excellent"
Submitted research environment - REF 2021
Careers in Languages talks
The Centre for Translation, Interpreting, and Localisation Studies (CTILS) at the University of Leeds hosts a series of professionalisation talks focused on careers in languages. The talks are now open to partner universities.
Many sessions are delivered by graduates of our Masters programmes. Attendance is free and no registration is required.
All talks take place on Fridays at 13.30 (UK time) and last approximately one hour. Each session includes time for discussion and questions at the end. Please note that the schedule is subject to change.
Talks programme
06 February 2026
Tayler Gilbert, Vendor Relations Manager, ICS Translate
Working as a freelancer vs. in-house translator
13 February 2026
Lara Fasoli, Conference Interpreter (Freelance)
Conference interpreting
20 February 2026
Dan Foster, Vendor Recruitment Manager, ICS Translate
The profiles we look for
27 February 2026
Eleanor Bailey, Quality Assurance Executive, ICS Translate
Quality assurance in translation
13 March 2026
Maurizio Molinari, Head of Regional Publications Office, European Union
Translating and interpreting at the European Union
20 March 2026
Nick Nasev, Translator and Writer
Working as a translator from a ‘smaller language’ to English
27 March 2026
Seren Roff, Training Lead, Respond Crisis Translation
Translation and interpreting in crisis zones
01 May 2026
Francesca Pezzoli, Freelance Translator (video games and app sector)
Videogame localisation
08 May 2026
Debora Chobanian and Fabiola Conceição, Conference Interpreters (EN<>PT)
Conference interpreting: what to expect from the private market in the UK
How to join
All talks are delivered online via Zoom.
Zoom link: https://universityofleeds.zoom.us/j/83567358781
Passcode: 2nnT%?
Research degrees
If you choose to research with us, you'll join a diverse group of research students who thrive in our resource-rich environment. Our postgraduates have an excellent record of conference presentations and publications prior to submission of their thesis.
Accreditations
The University of Leeds is a member of CIUTI (Conférence internationale permanente d'instituts universitaires de traducteurs et interprètes), the world’s oldest and most prestigious international association of university institutes with translation and interpretation programmes, which has strict membership criteria and serves as a distinctive mark of the quality of our programmes.
The Centre is also supported by the Directorate-General for Interpretation of both the European Parliament and the European Commission, and has a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Parliament for pedagogical support in our interpreter training.
Other memberships, memoranda of understanding, and directory listings include:
- Globalization and Localization Association (GALA), the world’s largest gathering of professionals in the fields of translation, interpreting, and media localisation and accessibility;
- Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), one of the two largest translation associations in the UK;
- Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL), the translation association with chartership status in the UK;
- International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC), an institution that promotes the highest standards of quality and ethics in interpreting globally;
- European Language Industry Association (ELIA), an industry-academic exchange network;
- Association of Programmes in Translation and Interpreting Studies (APTIS), a leading UK and Ireland association bringing together translation and interpreting trainers to share best practices in the field; and
- International Federation for Information and Communication Processing (Intersteno), the largest international gathering of court and parliamentary reporters, live captioners and subtitlers, and stenographers.
Many of the Centre's staff are also individual members of professional associations, as well as certified users of the wide range of technologies taught in our courses.