MSc Translating
The course
- Delivery
- Full-time, Part-time, Per course
- Course type
- Taught
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Entry date
- September
Contact
Got questions about this programme?
Contact our enquiries team.
Overview
September 2023 entry
The deadline for applications from Scottish and RUK students is 31st August 2023. For EU and overseas applicants, we guarantee to consider applications submitted by 1st August 2023.
MSc Translating
Our MSc Translating programme is designed for those who want to work as professional translators or in the field of translating.
This programme's main focus is on translation and translation technologies. However, you can also choose from a broad range of optional courses in professionally relevant subjects to tailor your programme to your interests and professional needs, such as Subtitling, International Politics, Business Communication, Localisation & Technical Writing, or study a new language.
Language combinations
In the practical translating courses students opt for one of two ‘strands', corresponding to their chosen language combination:
Strand A
Study of English + one other language from Chinese, French, German or Spanish. Students work in both directions between the two languages chosen.
Strand B
Study of English + two foreign languages from Chinese, French, German or Spanish . Students on this strand work from the two chosen languages into English.
Facilities
Students benefit from excellent facilities for translating including a range of state-of-the-art Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) software packages, digital resources for translating and interpreting as well as student-centred study facilities
Programme duration
| Mode of study | MSc | PG Diploma |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 12 months | 9 months |
| Part-time | 24 months | 21 months |
Professional recognition
Heriot-Watt University is a member of Conférence Internationale permanente d'Instituts Universitaires de Traducteurs et Interprètes (CIUTI) which is an international association of university institutes with translation and interpretation programmes. CIUTI is dedicated to excellence in the training and research of both translation and interpretation. Membership of CIUTI requires fulfilment of strict quality criteria and is a distinct seal of quality.
Go Global
Some of our Postgraduate Taught Masters Programmes are eligible for Inter-Campus Transfer. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for further information.
Course content
- Semester 1 (Sep-Dec): 60 credits (4 taught courses)
- Semester 2 (Jan-April): 60 credits (4 taught courses)
- Semester 3 (May-Aug): 60 credits (MSc dissertation)
Semester 1
- Translation Practice 1
- Translation Technologies
- Subtitling
- Translation and Interpreting Studies
Semester 2
- Translation Practice 2
- Introduction to the Translation and Interpreting Professions
- Research Methods
Plus one from the following options:
- Project Management
- Liaison Interpreting for Business
- Business Communication 2: Communicating with External Audiences
- Global Englishes and the International Workplace
Semester 3
- MSc Dissertation
For the MSc dissertation, students can choose one of these three options:
- Research dissertation (12,000 words): completion of an original research study.
- Translation and Commentary Dissertation: students in one of the programmes with translation can work on the translation of a text of +/- 6,000 words that has not been translated before following an invented brief, and commentary (+/- 6,000 words) of the strategies applied underpinned by relevant theories and/or theoretical models.
- Interpretation and Commentary Dissertation: students in a programme with interpreting can choose this option, which includes transcribing an interpretation performed by the student of between 20-30 minutes, and commentary (+/- 6,000 words) of relevant features depending on the mode, setting, communicative encounter, and analytical focus, which will be underpinned by relevant theories and/or theoretical models.
Course Descriptions
Translation Practice 1
Semester 1 (mandatory)
The course helps students to develop mastery of the skills and techniques of translating to professional standards through study of a number of text types and genres and practice in translating these text types and genres. Transferable skills (e.g. the ability to work in a team) which are crucial in professional translation contexts are also developed.
Translation Technologies
Semester 1 (mandatory)
This course provides the knowledge and skills required by the computerised multilingual document processing work environment that characterises the translation industry today. It gives students the opportunity to undertake independent research with the aid of a computer-aided translation (CAT) tool, and CAT projects both individually and as part of a team. Software programmes used in the course include a range of CAT tools, terminology management software and machine translation tools. The practical application and integration of these software programmes and tools in real-world professional workflows, situations and paradigms is also examined.
Translation & Interpreting Studies
Semester 2 (mandatory)
The course covers the major theoretical areas in Translation & Interpreting Studies, as well as various models of text processing and translating and interpreting. The course also looks at the relevance and applicability of this to the practical concerns of the translator/interpreter
Translation Practice 2
Semester 2 (mandatory)
The course further enhance mastery of the skills and techniques of translating to professional standards through study of a number of text types and genres and practice in translating these text types and genres. The course also helps learners develop a number of key transferable skills (e.g. revising, abstracting, editing, summarising, proof-reading) which are important in professional translation contexts and non-translation-related situations.
Entry requirements
Strand A
- Native / near-native command of English plus native / near-native command of Chinese, French, German, or Spanish
- Good degree or equivalent in a relevant subject.
Strand B
- Native / near-native command of English plus an excellent command of two from French, German, Spanish, Arabic or Chinese.
- Good degree or equivalent in a relevant subject.
Entrance tests
Suitable applicants will be invited for interview and to undertake a short test.
English language requirements
Non-native speakers of English must provide evidence of their English language ability. This must be IELTS 7.0, or equivalent, with at least 6.5 in all components.
Fees
| Status | Full-time | Part-time | Per course |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | £8320 | £4160 | £1040 |
| Overseas | £18520 | £9260 | £2315 |
Footnotes
- Your residency 'status' is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course. Find out more about tuition fees.
- Fee per course (module). Refer to the Course Content to see how many courses comprise the full programme.
- Overseas includes applications from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in the UK. Read more about the application process for EU nationals.
Scholarships and bursaries
We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.
View our full range of postgraduate scholarships.