Arabic/English Translation MA

Year of entry

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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)

Course overview

Students working on computers

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.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Arabic/English Translation MA Full Time in the course catalogue

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Arabic/English Translation MA Part Time in the course catalogue

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.