Course information

Length

1 year full-time or 2 years part-time

Scholarship information

Funding available

Course overview

This programme responds to the increasing need in a globalised, interconnected world, for highly-qualified translators who can navigate different genres of text and negotiate the language needs of diverse audiences and industries.

Logos for the Memsource Student Certification Program and Institute of Translators and Interpreters

With its open language pair system, this linguistically and culturally diverse Translation Masters attracts applicants from around the world. Our trainee translators are supported to pursue a range of language combinations, and we welcome applications from students working with English and any other language. Language combinations pursued by our past students have included: 

  • English to Arabic
  • English to Chinese
  • Chinese to English
  • English to Dutch
  • English to French
  • French to English
  • English to German
  • English to Italian
  • Italian to English
  • English to Polish
  • English to Spanish
  • Spanish to English
  • English to Swedish
  • English to Ukrainian

If you wish to work with a language that is not listed above, please note that applicants may indicate their preference for any language, translating either into or out of English.

Language-specific translation mentoring scheme

The MA in Translation at Goldsmiths is one of the only programmes to assign students a professional translation mentor who will read your work and give dedicated feedback for you to implement as you progress throughout the programme.

Developed in line with professional translation industry standard, the translation mentoring scheme creates a unique opportunity to put your translation studies into practice, with the support of a translation expert who can act as an adviser for all aspects of life as a professional translator, such as time management, managing your finances, and understanding contracts, as well as support your practical translation skills.

A community of linguists

You will be part of a supportive community of linguists. We help you develop peer support groups and offer language learning schemes where you can meet other students, develop your language skills, and help each other solve common problems.

Through the Goldsmiths “Learn a Language” scheme, you will be able to develop foreign language skills and create your own language-specialist support networks. You will be able to meet speakers of a range of different languages and share your own language skills with others.

Research and real-world practice

At the end of the MA, you will not be asked to complete a viva voce examination. Instead, you will complete an independent translation research project, with the option of a practical translation relevant to your career goals. Past students have used this as an opportunity to localise a videogame, subtitle a video, or translate a chapter of a book for pitching to publishers. 

Computer-aided translation software for the degree is provided by Memsource, with training facilitated by the programme convenor, Dr Sarah Maitland, who is a Memsource Certified Trainer and Senior Lecturer in Translation Studies. All students are given the opportunity to apply for Student Certification free of charge, and become part of an active community. Through the Memsource Talent Endorsement Program, the top-scoring certified students will be eligible to compete for paid translation work experience. 

As part of the MA, students are also provided with access to the XTRF, a cloud-based end-to-end translation management system and the XTRF Academy, the always-on training and development resource.

Employability and professional development

We’ll help you build your employability skills and kickstart your continuous professional development. All students are encouraged to apply for placement and internship opportunities, and have access to an optional work experience module. 

The MA in Translation is a member of the Institute of Translators and Interpreters (ITI), the only UK-based independent professional membership association for practising translators, interpreters, and language service businesses. The programme is also a member of the Association of Programmes in Translation and Interpreting Studies of the UK and Ireland (APTIS).

Next live chat with the Programme Coordinator

Meet virtually with the MA in Translation Programme Coordinator to find out more about our translation mentoring scheme, what modules you can take, how the capstone translation and research 'dissertation' project works, and what translation work experience opportunities you can expect over the course of your studies. It's also a great opportunity to discuss what language combinations you'd like to specialise in, as part of our open language pair system.

View dates of upcoming live chat sessions and book a meeting slot with Programme Coordinator Dr Sarah Maitland.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Dr Sarah Maitland or Gustavo Góngora-Goloubintseff.

What you'll study

Compulsory modules

The compulsory modules on this programme offer a solid grounding in the theory and practice of translation across diverse areas of professional practice. These are taught in seminar-based and tutorial small-group sessions and may include an individually supervised translation project.

You will also have access to the specialist teaching and research expertise offered by subject experts in the Department of English and Creative Writing in linguistics, comparative literature, and literary theory, from discourse analysis, sociolinguistics, and language and its interface with issues of gender, ethnicity and identity, to key currents of concern in literary and cultural theory and the role of the text in shifting boundaries of cultural and linguistic identity in a globalised, multicultural world.

Students undertaking the translation work experience module will work directly with an external organisation to provide a range of translation and other language services and gain first-hand experience of translation in a professional setting.

You will also undertake a dissertation in which you will either reflect critically on one aspect of the theory and/or practice of translation, or focus on the practice of translation by completing a concrete practical translation project of your choice.

Module title Credits
Thinking Translation: Introduction to Translation Theory 30 credits
MA Translation Dissertation 60 credits
Becoming a Translator 30 credits

Optional Modules

In addition, you are able to choose from a range of optional modules, which allows you to explore your interests and to gain specialist knowledge relating to your future career plans. This could include modules from within the Department of English and Creative Writing, or from other departments such as the Institute for Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship, Media and Communications.

Please note that not all modules may be available every year, and that new ones may be introduced.

English and Creative Writing

Module title Credits
Theories of Literature & Culture 30 credits
Translation Work Experience 30 credits
Becoming a Translator 30 credits
Between Languages: Multilingualism and Translation in Contemporary Literature 30 credits
Language & Ideology in Written Discourse 30 credits
English in a Multilingual World 30 credits
Language in its Sociocultural Context 30 CATS
Intercultural Discourse & Communication 30 credits
Core Issues in English Language & Linguistics 30 credits
Language & Ideology in Written Discourse 30 credits
English as a Lingua Franca and Language Teaching 30 credits

Educational Studies

Module title Credits
Children’s Literature, Culture and Diversity 30 credits

Institute for Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship

Module title Credits
Cultural and Creative Tourism 30 credits
Museums and Galleries as Creative Entrepreneurs 30 credits
Museums and Galleries as Creative Entrepreneurs – Communicating Culture 30 credits
Cultural and Creative Tourism 30 credits
Interpretation, Education and Communication in the Art Museum 30 credits
Tourism in Asia 30 credits
Cultural Relations and Diplomacy I: Foundations 30 credits
Cultural Relations and Diplomacy II: Explorations 30 credits

You may also wish to look at the complete list of postgraduate programmes available across the College offering modules which may be taken as optional choices as part of your MA in Translation.

Download the programme specification. If you would like an earlier version of the programme specification, please contact the Quality Office.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

For 2021-22 and 2020–21, we have made some changes to how the teaching and assessment of certain programmes are delivered. To check what changes affect this programme, please visit the programme changes page.

What our students say

Maria del Pilar Izquierdo Bellido

The MA Translation allowed me to build the connections and knowledge necessary in order to start a career as a freelance translator

The MA Translation allowed me to build the connections and knowledge necessary in order to start a career as a freelance translator and later to secure a permanent position in the industry as a Translation Project Coordinator.

The course covers both theoretical and practical aspects of translation, building from the basics in translation studies to work experience and opportunities for specialisation. Throughout the course, there is an emphasis on continuous professional and academic development which, if students take advantage of, will equip them with a good foundation and comprehensive portfolio for their budding career.

I would encourage all students to take part in the networking opportunities that the course and the English and Creative Writing (ECW) department offers and to reach out to Dr Maitland and other tutors to take on their advice and expertise.

LinkedIn profile

Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) profile

Martina Renna

The entire course has offered me the highest level of preparation in every field related to translation, as well as a work experience with a real publishing house.

The year spent at Goldsmiths attending the MA in Translation has been the most empowering and satisfying of my academic career. I started this journey as a student passionate about foreign languages and I ended it as a professional in the field of translation willing to find a place in the world of academia. This is particularly thanks to our tutor Sarah Maitland who let us plunge completely into the world of translation, offering us a complete and passionate view of the job of the translator.

The entire course has offered me the highest level of preparation in every field related to translation, as well as a work experience with a real publishing house. Moreover, because of the high degree of multiculturalism of the MA I found myself in a class of people coming from all around the world. This has opened my mind on different cultures motivating me to try harder and harder. We built a very stimulating and happy environment creating a family along the way. Thank you Goldsmiths!

Geneva Martell

Goldsmiths has definitely taught me that no matter how hard things may get, there is always a solution and a way to overcome them.

I absolutely loved studying at Goldsmiths more than I did when I studied my BA, there is definitely a comforting environment about them. The people I met on my course and my tutors have made it the most enjoyable academic year, always supporting you, where you feel like you are a part of a familiar community.

This year has developed my understanding academically and linguistically, where I have decided to pursue a Secondary PGCE – Modern Languages at Goldsmiths again. Goldsmiths has definitely taught me that no matter how hard things may get, there is always a solution and a way to overcome them. I think the best thing about an MA in Translation, has to be the work experience, your fellow partners and the tutors who are with you all the way.

Entry requirements

You should have a minimum of 2:2 (or equivalent) in a subject relevant to the programme or relevant equivalent experience. 

You will also need to provide a personal statement (in English) in which you describe:

  • why you are applying to the MA Translation and what you hope to achieve if successful
  • your native or near-native fluency in at least one other language in addition to English. You should describe: any translations you may have undertaken and the purpose and context in which you undertook these; any experience you have of reading, speaking and writing in at least one other language in addition to English; and/or any relevant academic, professional or voluntary work experience. You may wish to attach any samples of writing in at least one other language in addition to English and/or any translations you may have produced
  • your assessment of your ability to translate into the language in which you are dominant from the language(s) you have learned in addition to your native language

International qualifications

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 overall (and a minimum of 5.5 in each area) to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Fees, funding & scholarships

Annual tuition fees

These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2023/2024 academic year.

  • Home - full-time: £9720
  • Home - part-time: £4860
  • International - full-time: £16610

If your fees are not listed here, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.

If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.

There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.

Funding opportunities

Find out more about postgraduate fees and explore funding opportunities. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.

Scholarships

This programme is eligible for one of the department's fee waivers. Find out more about how to apply.

How to apply

You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system. 

Before submitting your application you’ll need to have:

  • Details of your education history, including the dates of all exams/assessments.
  • An electronic copy of your reference on letter headed paper, or alternatively the email address of your referee who we can request a reference from. It is preferred that you use an academic reference, however in cases where applicants are unable to provide one, a professional reference is acceptable.
  • personal statement – this can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online. Your personal statement should describe:
    • why you are applying to the MA Translation and what you hope to achieve if successful
    • your native or near-native fluency in at least one other language in addition to English. You should describe: any translations you may have undertaken and the purpose and context in which you undertook these; any experience you have of reading, speaking and writing in at least one other language in addition to English; and/or any relevant academic, professional or voluntary work experience. You may wish to attach any samples of writing in at least one other language in addition to English and/or any translations you may have produced
    • your assessment of your ability to translate into the language in which you are dominant from the language(s) you have learned in addition to your native language

          Please see our guidance on writing a postgraduate statement

  • If available, an electronic copy of your educational transcript (this is particularly important if you have studied outside of the UK, but isn’t mandatory).

You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.

When to apply

We accept applications from October for students wanting to start the following September. 

We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you haven't finished your current programme of study. It's very common to be offered a place that is conditional on you achieving a particular qualification. 

Late applications will only be considered if there are spaces available.

If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an earlier application deadline. 

Selection process

As part of the selection process, you may be invited to an informal interview with the Programme Convenor.

Find out more about applying.

Placements

Translation work experience placements

Students taking the ‘Translation work experience’ module as one of their Spring optional choices will benefit from the opportunity to apply for a 10-week work experience placement with an external organisation or to create their own 10-week translation work experience programme that best suits their career development plans. Students are encouraged to opt for a remote-working telecommuting work experience placement that best reflects the professional translator’s own working patterns, establishing links with clients, developing translations, and submitting work remotely, through the Internet. This module is supported by a series of on-campus sessions designed to help students problem-solve, project manage, and identify skills-development opportunities throughout their work experience placement.

While not all work experience placements may be available every year, and new ones may be introduced, the following are some of the opportunities translation students may wish to consider:

European Forum for Restorative Justice

The European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ) aims to help establish and develop victim-offender mediation and other restorative justice practices. The EFRJ focuses on the application of restorative justice to criminal matters but other areas, such as family, school and community mediation, are not excluded.

The EFRJ offers remote-working translation work experience placements to students translating out of English and into any European language.

Better Shifting

Bettershifting.com helps users with their Di2 bike installation, questions, and problems. Di2 is a Shimano technology that enables electronic shifting on high-end road bikes, mountain bikes, gravel bikes, and e-bikes.

While installation of new bike components usually isn’t that complicated, the Shimano manuals aren’t that easy to find. BetterShifting.com helps by explaining the installation steps in a way that’s easy to understand, answers questions on compatibility between different Di2 parts, and help users maintain their Di2 bikes.

Besides the hardware components that make up the bicycles, there’s also the software side of things. Shimano’s mobile app and its quirks are explained on the site, as well as how to update firmware and change settings on Di2 bikes.

BetterShifting.com offers remote-working translation work experience placements to students translating out of English and into French, German, Italian or Spanish. Other language pairs may be available on request.

Open Art Association

Open Art Association is a non-profit cultural organisation and its mission is to contribute to social transformation through art and culture. Open Art offers remote-working work experience placements to students translating out of Spanish into English and/or English into Spanish.

Open Art es una asociación cultural sin fines de lucro comprometida con la creatividad, la interculturalidad y la solidaridad con el objetivo de levantar puentes entre culturas a través del arte y la intervención social. Trabajamos con entidades nacionales e internacionales buscando que nuestras obras lleguen cada vez a más público. Nuestros proyectos audiovisuales de enorme valor artístico y social han tenido gran impacto internacional. Videovalores por ejemplo reúne 44 cortometrajes, 32 participantes, 15 países.

Talking Drugs

TalkingDrugs (TD) is an online, multilingual and global platform for the discussion of drug policy and drug-related issues from around the world. TD delivers geographically diverse coverage, providing opinions and analysis often lacking in mainstream media. TD is managed by registered charity Release, the UK’s centre of expertise on drugs, the law and human rights.

TD offers remote-working translation work experience placements to students translating out of English and into French, Spanish, Portuguese, or Russian. Other language pairs may be available on request.

Careers

Skills

The MA in Translation provides you with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in translation. The interdisciplinary optional module choices allow you to tailor your studies according to your career plans. Through fortnightly academic and professional development workshops, guided mentoring and regular practical translation assignments, you'll develop professional behaviours and leadership skills to build your translation portfolio and prepare for the translation industry. 

Careers

This degree will equip graduates with the skills and expertise to compete for work as professional translators across the public and private sectors, both in the UK and abroad. The possibility of taking optional modules from other departments means that you can supplement your translator training with knowledge of the arts, media, communications, marketing and publishing industries.

As part of the programme, and through our memberships of the ITI and APTIS, and affiliation with Memsource, you will be offered opportunities to engage with representatives from across the language service industry, from translation agencies and multinational corporations where translations are commissioned or where in-house translators are employed, to international organisations with in-house translation departments, freelance translators and other language professionals.

 

 

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