Arabic/English Translation MA
Year of entry 2024
- Start date
- September 2024
- Delivery type
- On campus
- Duration
- 12 months full time
- 24 months part time
- Entry requirements
- A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons)
Full entry requirements - English language requirements
- IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in all components.
- UK fees
- £12,000 (Total)
- International fees
- £25,250 (Total)
- Contact
- lcspg@leeds.ac.uk
Course overview
On this course, you will be equipped with Arabic-English and/or English-Arabic translation skills for different types of texts, as well as full understanding of the translation theories underpinning your practice.
You will work with a range of text types, including natural and social science, business and finance, administrative, industrial and technical, and literary texts. You will also develop your understanding and knowledge of methods, approaches and concepts in translation studies.
You will also be able to choose optional modules that suit your interests and career aspirations, on issues in translation and language more generally, such as introduction to legal translation, introduction to screen translation, translation for international organisations, computer-assisted translation, applied linguistics and genre analysis.
Taught by expert researchers and professional practitioners, this course makes use of the expertise across the Centre for Translation Studies and Arabic, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies within the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies. It’s a great opportunity to learn valuable skills in a city full of cultural and linguistic diversity.
The School of Languages, Cultures and Societies also offers scholarship and funding opportunities.
On this course we use a variety of innovative research-based teaching methods to help you develop the practical skills and theoretical knowledge necessary for today’s global industries. These comprise lectures and seminars, as well as practical classes where you’ll make the most of our facilities and apply the theories you will learn.
Specialist facilities
At Leeds, we have excellent facilities and resources to support your studies. Our Martin Thomas Translation Labs 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. If you want to try your hand at interpreting, you will have the option to do so in our state-of-the-art conference suites.
This course is also available to study part-time over 24 months.
Course details
Throughout the course you’ll develop your understanding of theories, approaches and methods in translation studies through a core module. You’ll then apply that knowledge in your specialised translation modules, where you’ll gain the intercultural skills to make sound translation decisions and build skills in computer-assisted translation.
You’ll complete the course with your choice from a range of optional modules to suit your interests and career plans. You could expand your knowledge of translation by studying translation for international organisations, comparative Arabic/English stylistics, or explore broader topics such as genre analysis in translation or different aspects of applied linguistics like language acquisition or syntax.
By the end of the course, you’ll submit work which showcases the skills you’ve acquired – this could be a long translation, long dissertation or shorter versions of both.
This course is also available to study part-time over 24 months. If you choose to study part-time, you’ll take fewer modules in each year.
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.
Year 1 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Methods and Approaches in Translation Studies | 30 |
Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Comparative Arabic/English Stylistics 1 | 15 |
| Comparative Arabic/English Stylistics 2 | 15 |
| Long Annotated Translation | 60 |
| Long Dissertation | 60 |
| Short Annotated Translation | 30 |
| Translation for International Organisations (English-Arabic) | 15 |
| Foundations of Syntax | 15 |
| Pragmatics and Discourse Analysis | 30 |
| Introduction to Screen Translation | 15 |
| Corpus Linguistics for Translators | 15 |
| English for Translators | 15 |
| Rhetoric and Public Speaking | 15 |
| Managing Business Across Cultures | 15 |
| Introduction to Interpreting Skills | 15 |
| Genres in Translation | 15 |
| Introduction to Legal Translation | 15 |
| International Organisations: Context, Theory and Practice | 15 |
| Literary Translation | 15 |
| Writing for Professional Purposes | 15 |
| Specialised English-Arabic Translation A | 15 |
| Specialised English-Arabic Translation B | 15 |
| Specialised Arabic-English Translation A | 15 |
| Specialised Arabic-English Translation B | 15 |
| Dissertation: Translation Studies | 30 |
| Introduction to Computer-Assisted Translation | 15 |
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, as well as practical classes where you’ll make the most of our facilities.
In addition, the Centre for Translation Studies and Arabic, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies run a regular programme of Research and Professionalisation Talks from visiting speakers, many of whom are actually 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
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, as well as practical classes where you’ll make the most of our facilities.
In addition, the Centre for Translation Studies and Arabic, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies run a regular programme of Research and Professionalisation Talks from visiting speakers, many of whom are actually 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.
Applying
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons). We welcome applicants from a diverse range of subject disciplines. Applicants will undertake translation tests.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in all components.. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Education (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Education (10 weeks).
We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
Please see our How to Apply page for information about application deadlines.
Application Deadlines for International applicants: 12 August 2024
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page 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.
Applications will not be considered until required documents (see below) 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. Applicants applying for funding/scholarships are advised to apply at least eight weeks ahead of any deadline.
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.
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 Admissions Policy 2025
This course is taught by
School of Languages, Cultures and Societies
Contact us
Taught Postgraduate Admissions Team
Email: lcspg@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:
Fees
UK: £12,000 (Total)
International: £25,250 (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 on our living costs and budgeting page.
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.
Find out more about Funding and Scholarships.
Career opportunities
This course will equip you with practical translation skills between two major world languages which are increasingly valuable to a wide range of employers across industries.
It’s excellent preparation for working in fields where Arabic is a working language, or where translation in and out of Arabic is needed. These include foreign diplomacy, the media, NGOs and international organisations, the travel and tourism sector, teaching and areas of the publishing, cultural and marketing industries.
Other graduates progress to PhD research, or work as specialised freelance translators.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.