(Full time / Part time) 2023 start
Professional Language and Intercultural Studies MA
Overview
This course combines the study of intercultural communication/studies with a thorough grounding in professional language. The intercultural side encompasses the study of social interaction between cultural groups, including theoretical analysis of some of the thornier global questions which we currently face. In terms of professional language, you will develop skills in translation, public speaking and written communication in English. These two strands are closely connected through exploring the role that culture and languages play in shaping our identity, influencing social relations and affecting aspects of power.
You’ll also focus on additional topics that suit your interests and aspirations, as you choose from optional modules across different disciplines or contexts. You could study modules focusing on screen translation, gender and equality in the workplace, pragmatics and international organisations among many others. You could even study a foreign language. If you’re looking for a career with an international dimension, this course will allow you to develop the knowledge, cultural awareness and practical skills to succeed.
The School of Languages, Cultures and Societies also offers scholarship and funding opportunities.
We’re a truly international university, with over 30,000 students from more than 130 countries and a large, diverse team of leading researchers and practitioners.
Our students benefit from this stimulating learning environment while developing their skills in state-of-the-art facilities; as well as our world-class research library, you could practice translation in our Electronic Resource and Information Centre (ERIC), fully equipped with the latest software and translation tools. It’s an excellent place to gain an insight into the relations between cultural groups while gaining valuable practical skills.
Course content
In your first semester you’ll explore key issues in intercultural studies and begin to develop skills for effective research. You’ll also study the usage and role of English worldwide in different contexts.
Beyond these core modules, you’ll shape the course of your studies. You’ll choose from a variety of language-based modules, either developing your specialised translation skills or getting to grips with language in professional contexts. You’ll then build on your knowledge by selecting optional modules from an impressive range, cutting across disciplines to suit your career plans and interests.
By the end of the course in September, you’ll be able to showcase your skills when you hand in your individual project or dissertation.
If you study the programme part-time, you’ll take 90 credits in each year and complete the programme in two years.
If you want to study a Specialised Translation module, see our list of available language combinations.
For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Professional Language and Intercultural Studies MA Full Time in the course catalogue
For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Professional Language and Intercultural Studies MA Part Time in the course catalogue
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.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Skills and Issues in Intercultural Studies 30 credits
- English in International Communication 30 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Creative Inquiry, Communication and Learning 30 credits
- Caribbean and Black British Writing 30 credits
- Postcolonial Cultures of Encounter and Settlement 30 credits
- Black Internationalism 30 credits
- Pragmatics and Discourse Analysis 30 credits
- Gender and Equality at Work in Comparative Perspective 30 credits
- Diversity Management 30 credits
- China and India in the Global Context 15 credits
- Methods and Approaches in Translation Studies 30 credits
- Introduction to Screen Translation 15 credits
- English for Translators 15 credits
- Rhetoric and Public Speaking 15 credits
- Managing Business Across Cultures 15 credits
- Introduction to Interpreting Skills 15 credits
- Introduction to Legal Translation 15 credits
- International Organisations: Context, Theory and Practice 15 credits
- Literary Translation 15 credits
- Writing for Professional Purposes 15 credits
- Specialised French-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised German-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Italian-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Portuguese-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Russian-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Spanish-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised English-Arabic Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised French-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised German-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised Italian-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised Portuguese-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised Russian-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised Spanish-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised English-Arabic Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised Arabic-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised English-Chinese Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Arabic-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised English-Chinese Translation B 15 credits
- Research Methods and Project for MAPLIS 30 credits
- Research Methods and Dissertation for MAPLIS 60 credits
- Specialised Chinese-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Japanese-English Translation A 15 credits
- Specialised Chinese-English Translation B 15 credits
- Specialised Japanese-English Translation B 15 credits
- Africa in the Contemporary World 30 credits
- Conflict, Complex Emergencies and Global Governance 30 credits
- Democracy and Development 30 credits
- Gender, Globalisation and Development 30 credits
- Global Inequalities and Development 30 credits
- Political Economy of Resources and Development 30 credits
- The EU and the Developing World 30 credits
- Contemporary Politics of the Middle East 30 credits
- Political Transitions in South East Asia 30 credits
- The Politics of the Israel-Palestine Conflict 30 credits
- Insurgency 15 credits
- International Political Economy 30 credits
- International Politics and The Environment 15 credits
- Terrorism 15 credits
- Contemporary Issues in Religion and Gender 30 credits
Learning and teaching
You’ll be taught by leading researchers and practitioners in a variety of disciplines, depending on the modules you choose. As a result you’ll experience a range of learning and teaching methods including lectures, seminars, practical classes and one-to-one tutorials among others.
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
Assessment methods will vary as much as your choice of modules. They could include traditional exams and essays as well as reflective logs, problem-solving reports and group and individual presentations. Translation modules also use translation tests.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons). We welcome applicants from a diverse range of subject disciplines.
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 Communication and Society (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Communication and Society (10 weeks).
We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. You could study a part-time online course starting in January, or a full-time course in summer. Find out more about online pre-sessionals.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
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: 24 August (International applicants) or 31 August (Home applicants). Applicants applying for funding/scholarships are advised to apply at least eight weeks ahead of any deadline.
This link 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.
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 (recommended)
- Personal Statement; Visit the course catalogue page and select modules to learn about them in detail before you compose your statement. This should be approximately 500 words and must (A) explain why you want to study the course, (B) outline your background and previous study in this area in relation to the course content and particular modules, (C) demonstrate an understanding of the modules, which you would opt to study and why, (D) explain how the course will benefit you in your future career, and (E) explain why you are interested in the course offered at Leeds in particular.
- Translation Tests (optional)
This course does not require you to take modules in specialised translation, however if you wish to enrol on these modules then you must complete the corresponding translation test(s).
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 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 Taught Admissions Policy 2023
Fees
- UK: £10,750 (total)
- International: £22,250 (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 about additional costs.
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.
Career opportunities
This course is designed for students who want to develop careers with an international dimension, such as working in non-governmental organisations, multinational corporations, commerce, market research, tourism, or the diplomatic service. A postgraduate qualification will also equip you with advanced skills in research, analysis and written and oral communication which will always hold value among employers in a range of industries.
Others have gone into international education, or built on their language skills with further training in areas such as translation or interpreting. Many have also pursued further studies through postgraduate research (PhD), either in Intercultural Studies or related fields.
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 at the Careers website.