(Full time / Part time) 2022 start
Applied Translation Studies PGDip
Coronavirus information for applicants and offer holders
We hope that by the time you’re ready to start your studies with us the situation with COVID-19 will have eased. However, please be aware, we will continue to review our courses and other elements of the student experience in response to COVID-19 and we may need to adapt our provision to ensure students remain safe. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, regularly visit our website, which we will continue to update as the situation changes www.leeds.ac.uk/covid19faqs
Overview
This course focuses on computer-assisted translation to give you valuable experience of the localisation, project and terminology management tools that are used in professional practice. You'll also work with students specialising in a wide range of languages to produce multilingual translation projects.
Provided you pass our entry translation test(s), you can specialise in translation between English and up to three languages, as follows: from Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish into English, and from English into Arabic, Chinese and Japanese. In addition, you'll be able to choose from optional modules informed by the research of our experts on topics such as audiovisual translation, machine translation, and genre analysis.
You'll be taught by both leading Centre for Translation Studies researchers and contracted practitioners who will equip you with a good knowledge base and practical skills to launch an exciting career in the language services industry.
Specialist facilities
As a proud member of CIUTI (Conférence internationale permanente d'instituts universitaires de traducteurs et interprètes), the Centre for Translation Studies benefits from excellent facilities and resources to support your studies. Our Electronic Resources and Information Centres (ERIC and ERIN) support all of our translation programmes, complete with 59 high-spec PCs and a wide range of specialist software for translation and subtitling.
The Centre for Translation Studies is also constantly compiling and updating very large corpora of texts in digital form so you can analyse source texts and produce more idiomatic translations. Moreover, you can also see our interpreting students at work in our state-of-the-art conference suites.
In addition to translation theory and specialised translation, this course focuses on providing you with training in the different facets of the Languages Industry, from localisation project management, to working with CAT tools, communicating effectively, and developing finance and marketing skills. In this context, the core modules provide specialised training in an impressive range of software tools widely used by leading translation and localisation companies, such as Trados Studio, Multiterm and Passolo, memoQ, Memsource, OmegaT, Matecat, Verifka and Xbench. You will also have access to additional cutting-edge language technologies such as Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Sketch Engine, PerfectIt and Déjà Vu Workgroup.
This course is also available to study part-time over 18 months, or as an MA qualification.
Course content
This course is similar to the MA Applied Translation Studies, except that you will only study 120 credits as opposed to 180 for the MA, and you will not have the opportunity to complete the summer project.
You'll focus on computer-assisted translation throughout this course using a wide range of professional software tools. A core module with four hours of hands-on practice in our computer labs every week will run throughout the year developing your skills through multilingual group projects, which also give you valuable experience of translation project management.
You'll study another core module introducing you to approaches and research methods in translation studies, practice translation in one of your language pairs throughout the year in core specialised translation modules, then choose optional modules to build your additional specialist written translation skills. You can also choose from any of the research-led practical optional modules exploring topics such as audio-visual translation or genre analysis.
If you choose to study part-time, you will take fewer modules in each year and study over a longer period.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Computer-Assisted Translation and Localisation Project Management 45 credits
- Methods and Approaches in Translation Studies 30 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Translation for International Organisations (English-Arabic) 15 credits
- Introduction to Screen Translation 15 credits
- Corpus Linguistics for Translators 15 credits
- English for Translators 15 credits
- Introduction to Interpreting Skills 15 credits
- Genres in Translation 15 credits
- Introduction to Legal Translation 15 credits
- International Organisations: Context, Theory and Practice 15 credits
- Principles and Applications of Machine Translation 15 credits
- Literary Translation 15 credits
- Writing for Professional Purposes 15 credits
- Specialised French-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised German-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Italian-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Portuguese-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Russian-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Spanish-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised English-Arabic Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised French-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised German-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised Italian-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised Portuguese-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised Russian-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised Spanish-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised English-Arabic Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised Arabic-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised English-Chinese Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Arabic-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised English-Chinese Translation B 15 credits
- Dissertation: Translation Studies 30 credits
- Extended Translations 30 credits
- Specialised Chinese-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Japanese-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Chinese-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised Japanese-English Translation B 15 credits
Learning and teaching
We use different teaching methods to help you develop a range of practical skills, as well as a sound theoretical knowledge base. These include lectures and seminars, interactive online resources, and practical classes where you will make the most of our facilities.
In addition, the Centre for Translation Studies runs a regular programme of Research and Professionalisation Talks with visiting speakers coming from the industry and sharing their experience as practicing translators, interpreters, subtitlers or project managers.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed using a wide range of methods. Translation tests are an important element, as are essays together with individual and team projects.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons). We welcome applicants from a diverse range of subject disciplines. Other relevant qualifications or experience may also be considered, such as professional/work/voluntary experience. Applicants will undertake translation tests in their chosen language/s.
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component.. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.How to apply
Applications will not be considered until required documents (including evidence of meeting the English language requirements) have been submitted.
We recommend that you provide evidence of English language proficiency at the point of application, however, it is not a requirement to do so. Applicants must meet the English language requirement, submit their application and submit all required supporting documents by the course deadline: 24 August 2022 (International applicants) or 31 August 2022 (Home applicants). Applicants applying for funding/scholarships are advised to apply at least eight weeks ahead of any deadline.
This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Documents and information you'll need
You must upload the following documents before we will assess your application:
- Official degree certificate(s) and transcript of marks or enrolment certificate and partial transcript of marks
- Evidence of English language proficiency
- Translation Test(s)
Submit a translation test for each language combination you wish to study and in each direction you wish to study.
Applicants are not required to submit a supporting statement, though one may be requested if further information is needed.
The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures receives very large numbers of high-quality applications and regrets that it cannot make offers to all of its applicants. Some particularly popular schools may have to reject many that hold the necessary academic qualifications.
If you require any further information, please contact the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies Taught Postgraduate Admissions Office.
Email: lcspg@leeds.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)113 343 0233 or +44 (0)113 343 3234
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023
Fees
- UK: £6,833 (total)
- International: £14,167 (total)
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
Career opportunities
A postgraduate qualification in Applied Translation Studies equips you with valuable skills that are increasingly important in a globalised world. You'll also develop advanced IT, research, analysis and communication skills that are very attractive to employers across different industries.
Many of our students go straight into practice with their project management or translation skills, whether they work in large organisations, small or medium-sized language service providers, or as freelance translators. Others pursue related careers in language services. Our graduates work in organisations such as the UN and affiliated organisations, the European Parliament and the European Commission, commercial enterprises and NGOs.
Careers support
We provide plenty of support to help you reach your career goals. We offer targeted careers advice and professional training throughout the programme, as well as events including workshops arranged with professional national and international organisations.
Several translation technology certification schemes (such as the SDL Certification Program and the Memsource Certification) may be available to you for free as a student at Leeds. Moreover, we have also been able to offer discounts on CAT and subtitling software to our students to help them prepare for their careers.
Read more about Careers and Employability