Audiovisual Translation and Localisation MA

Course overview

The audiovisual market continues to grow as more platforms introduce streaming services to provide motion pictures and entertainment. Videos are consistently supplementing or even replacing text in training, marketing content and websites.

As a result of this growth, the demand for localisation and accessibility has also increased. This means that the audiovisual and localisation industry is in need of professionals capable of providing not just subtitling, dubbing, and voice over services in as many foreign languages as possible; but also subtitles for the deaf and the hard of hearing, audio descriptions for blind and partially-sighted people, and live subtitles for people with difficulties accessing the content of a speech.

Working in audiovisual translation and media localisation is an exciting career that requires excellent knowledge of foreign languages, intercultural communication, translation and localisation technology, terminology and project management, as well as an excellent knowledge of the industry.

The MA in Audiovisual Translation and Localisation at Leeds will prepare you in all these areas and in your language combination, increasing your confidence and career prospects.

Core modules will introduce you to essential concepts in translation theory, audiovisual translation, accessibility, localisation, project management, and computer-assisted translation. You’ll also benefit from hands-on practice in our specialised IT labs throughout the year. You’ll work with professionals, using industry-standard software whilst developing specialised skills through individual assignments and team projects with simulated real-life scenarios.

You’ll also be able to study modules informed by research taking place at our Centre for Translation and Interpreting Studies on topics such as machine translation, multimodality, corpus linguistics, interpreting, genre analysis, and others.

As a proud member of the international association of translation and interpretation university institutes (CIUTI), the European Language Industry Association (ELIA), the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), and the Globalization and Localization Association (GALA) the Centre for Translation and Interpreting Studies also maintains privileged collaboration with several UN and EU bodies, as well as national and international companies, institutions and NGOs.

You’ll work between English and one or two other languages, including Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Specialist facilities

Our specialised translation and audiovisual translation laboratories support all our translation courses, complete with 60 high-spec PCs and a wide range of specialist software for translation, subtitling, respeaking, dubbing, audio-description, localisation, terminology management, and project management.

In addition to translation theory and specialised translation, this course focuses on providing you with training in the different facets of the language services industry. In this context, the core modules provide specialised training in an impressive range of software tools – online and offline – widely used by leading freelancers and translation and subtitling companies, such as Wincaps Q4, ZooSubs, ZooDubs, Spot, Trados Studio, Multiterm, Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Sketch Engine and PerfectIt, among others. Note that access to certain pieces of software is subject to availability.

Course details

The course is composed of core and optional modules. Core modules are compulsory modules which will introduce you to essential concepts in audiovisual translation, subtitling, localisation, accessibility, and computer-assisted translation, with hands-on practice in our computer labs throughout the year. You’ll develop professional skills through individual assignments and team projects, thus gaining insights into both audiovisual translation and localisation workflows and translation project management.

Professionals will guide you through the use of a wide range of audiovisual translation and localisation tools throughout your course. They will also introduce you to approaches and research methods in translation and audiovisual translation studies, as well as practical specialised translation tasks in one or two language pairs.

On top of these modules, you can choose from a vast array of optional modules, which will enable you to build your additional specialist translation skills between English and up to two other languages for which you have passed our entrance translation test(s). They include research-led modules exploring topics related to your field of study such as dubbing, live subtitling and parliamentary reporting through respeaking or machine translation, or topics that will allow you to open different opportunities like interpreting skills or corpus linguistics.

Finally, you’ll be able to showcase all the skills you have acquired throughout the year in our cross-course mock conferences and your summer project, which can be an extended translation, a dissertation or a subtitling project.

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Most courses consist of compulsory and optional modules. There may be some optional modules omitted below. This is because they are currently being refreshed to make sure students have the best possible experience. Before you enter each year, full details of all modules for that year will be provided.

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

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Learning and teaching

In addition, we use different teaching methods to help you develop a range of practical skills as well as a sound theoretical knowledge base. These include theoretical lectures, hands-on seminars, interactive online resources, and professional-like activities where you’ll make the most of our facilities.

Finally, the Centre for Translation Studies runs a regular programme of Research and Professionalisation Talks from visiting speakers who share their experience as practising translators, interpreters, subtitlers, project managers, game localisers, and many other less well-known professional figures in the field of Audiovisual Translation and Localisation.

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

You’ll be assessed using a wide range of methods. First of all, you will receive regular specific feedback on the tasks you will be required to perform weekly. Then, formative and summative assessments will provide you with useful feedback throughout your studies. Finally, you’ll also be assessed on your individual summer project, which can be either two long translation pieces, one long subtitling project, or one research project.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons). We welcome applicants from a diverse range of subject disciplines. Other relevant qualifications or experience may also be considered, such as professional/work/voluntary experience. Applicants will undertake translation tests in their chosen language/s.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in all components. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

How to apply

Please see our How to Apply page for information about application deadlines.

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.

If you require any further information, please contact the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies Taught Postgraduate Admissions Office:

Email: lcspg@leeds.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)113 343 0233 or +44 (0)113 343 3234

Read about visas, immigration and other information on our International students pages. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

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 will 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.

It is essential for your application that you complete the two steps below:

1. LANGUAGE PATHWAY: use the text box below to state your native language and which language combination(s) you wish to study.
2. TRANSLATION TEST(S): you must upload one or more tests depending on which language combination(s) you wish to study. Translation tests are available to download from our webpage: https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/centre-for-translation-studies/doc/translation-tests

Applications will not be considered until required documents (including evidence of meeting the English language requirements) have been submitted.

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: £12,500 (Total)

International: £27,000 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

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

A postgraduate qualification in Audiovisual Translation and Localisation will equip you with valuable practical skills, underpinned by a solid theoretical foundation. You’ll also develop advanced skills in IT, research, communication and analysis that are very valuable to employers.

Because the demand for skilled audiovisual translators is increasing, many of our students start working in the field before graduating. They go straight into practice with their project management or translation skills, whether they work in large organisations, small or medium-sized language service providers, or as freelance audiovisual translators. Others pursue related careers in language services in organisations such as the UN and affiliated organisations, the European Parliament and the European Commission, commercial enterprises and NGOs.

Careers support

We provide plenty of support to help you reach your career goals. We offer targeted careers advice and professional training throughout your course, as well as events including workshops arranged with professional national and international organisations.

Translation technology certification schemes (such as the Trados Certification Programme), as well as a range of discounted professional memberships and technologies may be available to you as a student at Leeds.

Read more about careers and employability