Why Lancaster?
With this dynamic course, you’ll develop the linguistic and technical skills to move into a wide range of careers in translation. This could be in literary translation, or in humanitarian fields like medical and legal translation.
Translation dynamics
You’ll gain a thorough understanding of Trados Studio, a Computer Assisted Translation tool. This industry leading software is a translator’s best friend, and will allow you to manage your translation work more effectively.
If you choose to specialise in the study of literary translation, you’ll spend time looking into creative and critical possibilities that translation can offer, as well as the role of translation in art and culture – one of the research strengths of the department.
A flexible approach
We combine language-specific practice in either one or two languages in addition to English. You can specialise in translation between:
You also have the possibility of studying more than one language combination during your MA.
At Lancaster University, you have the chance to shape your study, building skills in areas of translation that are most important to you. This allows you to start shaping your career direction early in the programme, whether that’s a route into the business and legal fields, or technical translation. If you are already working in a translation role, you could use this course to advance your career and move into new avenues.
Careers
Translation is crucial to international communication and the skills you develop on this course allow you to pursue a wide range of diverse career paths. By the time you finish this course, you will have the skills needed to find work in a number of different sectors.You may choose to pursue a career in:
Alternatively, you might choose to further your studies to deepen your knowledge and conduct research, by working towards a PhD.
2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in a language or a related subject is normally required. Native speakers of the languages taught are also welcome to apply. Applicants should state clearly in their personal statement which language they wish to specialise in.
We will also consider applications on an individual basis where you have a degree in other subjects, have a 2:2 or equivalent in a language or translation related subject or extensive relevant experience. You should be able to demonstrate how your skills have prepared you for the relevant discussions and assessments during postgraduate study.
If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.
We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.
We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.
If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.
Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk
You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.
Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.
This core module will introduce you to translation theory and methodology. You will find out about the latest research into translation theory, as well as current methodologies relating technology and professional practice.
Typically, topics covered include:
This module is for students who have chosen the English into Mandarin Chinese pathway. You only need to take one of the core modules in Applied Translation, unless you are studying two languages in which case you will also take the Applied Translation module in your second language.
The module will prepare you for applied translation practice in a variety of specialist areas in your language of study. Typically these areas include literary, technical, legal and medical translation tasks.
Through regular practice, you will also gain understanding of various facets of the translation editorial process, acquire knowledge of translation notes, and you will learn to reflect on your practice. The aim is for you to become adept in a range of skills and able to confidently solve problems in the professional and academic fields of translation.
This module is for students who have chosen the French into English pathway. You only need to take one of the core modules in Applied Translation, unless you are studying two languages in which case you will also take the Applied Translation module in your second language.
The module will prepare you for applied translation practice in a variety of specialist areas in your language of study. Typically these areas include literary, technical, legal and medical translation tasks.
Through regular practice, you will also gain understanding of various facets of the translation editorial process, acquire knowledge of translation notes, and you will learn to reflect on your practice. The aim is for you to become adept in a range of skills and able to confidently solve problems in the professional and academic fields of translation.
This module is for students who have chosen the German into English pathway. You only need to take one of the core modules in Applied Translation, unless you are studying two languages in which case you will also take the Applied Translation module in your second language.
The module will prepare you for applied translation practice in a variety of specialist areas in your language of study. Typically these areas include literary, technical, legal and medical translation tasks.
Through regular practice, you will also gain understanding of various facets of the translation editorial process, acquire knowledge of translation notes, and you will learn to reflect on your practice. The aim is for you to become adept in a range of skills and able to confidently solve problems in the professional and academic fields of translation.
This module is for students who have chosen the Spanish into English pathway. You only need to take one of the core modules in Applied Translation, unless you are studying two languages in which case you will also take the Applied Translation module in your second language.
The module will prepare you for applied translation practice in a variety of specialist areas in your language of study. Typically these areas include literary, technical, legal and medical translation tasks.
Through regular practice, you will also gain understanding of various facets of the translation editorial process, acquire knowledge of translation notes, and you will learn to reflect on your practice. The aim is for you to become adept in a range of skills and able to confidently solve problems in the professional and academic fields of translation.
The Translation Project provides an opportunity for you to dive deep into a topic that is of particular interest to you and which is agreed in consultation with a supervisor. You will receive support and supervision from one or two members of staff from the Department of Languages and Cultures who will support you in your translation project.
The project should include the translation of a text, and could be based around a topic that is relevant to your work, your personal interests or something you have studied on the course and which you want to explore further.
This module covers a range of research skills specific to Modern Languages that are designed to support you in researching and writing your dissertation.
Typically, topics include:
This module is assessed via a portfolio.
The Independent Study Unit (ISU) offers students the option to replace one of their taught modules (excluding the compulsory modules) with an ISU. ISUs offer a period of directed, but independent reading in an area chosen by the student and in which the department is able to provide supervision. The module gives students the chance to determine their own area of research with their supervisors. The module is then assessed by a researched essay on the mutually-agreed topic of research.
Intercultural business communication plays a key role in the global economy and world commerce as it considers cultural differences between international business partners and clients. This interdisciplinary course examines how communication is affected by different values, attitudes and beliefs, in the context of our volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous environment.
The ability to effectively interact, work and develop meaningful relationships with professionals across different cultures and social groups is essential in a global workforce. Drawing on interdisciplinary research, this course will provide you with the necessary awareness, know-how and practical skills needed to become more effective at intercultural interactions. You will draw on various models to analyse your own experiences in order to develop a personal development plan to address effective interactions at work in the face of significant challenges. Studying intercultural business communication fosters an understanding of your own cultural, linguistic and communication related background. This may benefit future careers that operate within a multicultural context.
This introductory interpreting module complements the skills developed in the Translation studies elements of the MA and introduces students to the daily requirements of a professional translator/interpreter. It aims to provide students with the basic skills involved in understanding a message and conveying it orally into another language. Students will consolidate and expand their linguistic command of different fields with regards to style, register, communication requirements and technical skills. It will prepare them to deal with the specific pressure that unfolds in different interpreting situations.
This placement module enables students to gain professional experience and to reflect critically on that experience. The optional module constitutes a structured period of work-based learning.
The work placement will provide the opportunity for students to take responsibility for their learning experience in a language-related professional environment. We can assist in organising placements for students in reputable language services companies in the UK. However, the department cannot guarantee a placement will be found and students are strongly encouraged to source their own placements, subject to departmental approval, and these may be overseas.
Work placements provide an invaluable insight into the work of professional linguists, are valued highly by employers and can greatly enhance students' employability in a competitive market.
Students will be responsible for any additional costs associated with undertaking a placement, such as travel and accommodation costs.
If you are unsuccessful in securing a suitable placement, you will be able to switch to an alternative optional module.
The practice of literary translation involves creative and critical approaches to texts in an effort to remediate works across languages, cultures and places. This module aims to introduce students to the "creative turn" in literary translation studies through critical analysis and creative practice. To do so, students will explore past and current creative writers who have used translation in their writing, or the works of translators who have reflected on translation in the form of literary essays or translation memoirs.
The aim of the module is to encourage students to develop the writing skills necessary to write quality translations in the English language, as well as to explore the creative and critical possibilities which translation can afford. Although students will be invited to experiment with creative writing via the medium of translation in the module, they will be given a choice to do a written analysis of an existing creative translation in their assessment.
| Location | Full Time (per year) | Part Time (per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Home | £11,500 | £5,750 |
| International | £23,875 | £11,935 |
There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.
Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.
Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small College Membership Fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.
For students starting in 2023 and 2024, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses. Fees for students starting in 2025 have not yet been set.
To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.
The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.
For most taught postgraduate applications there is a non-refundable application fee of £40. We cannot consider applications until this fee has been paid, as advised on our online secure payment system. There is no application fee for postgraduate research applications.
For some of our courses you will need to pay a deposit to accept your offer and secure your place. We will let you know in your offer letter if a deposit is required and you will be given a deadline date when this is due to be paid.
The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.
If you are studying on a programme of more than one year’s duration, the tuition fees for subsequent years of your programme are likely to increase each year. Read more about fees in subsequent years.
You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.
Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.
If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities.
| Scheme | Based on | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Based on {{item.eligibility_basis}} | Amount {{item.amount}} |
We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.
Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.
The information on this site relates primarily to 2024/2025 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.
The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.
More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.
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