(Full time / Part time) 2022 start
Audiovisual Translation Studies MA
Coronavirus information for applicants and offer holders
We hope that by the time you’re ready to start your studies with us the situation with COVID-19 will have eased. However, please be aware, we will continue to review our courses and other elements of the student experience in response to COVID-19 and we may need to adapt our provision to ensure students remain safe. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, regularly visit our website, which we will continue to update as the situation changes www.leeds.ac.uk/covid19faqs
Overview
The audiovisual market’s entertainment segment continues to grow, as more platforms introduce their streaming services. However, in addition to motion pictures and entertainment, videos are consistently supplementing or even replacing text in training and marketing content and websites.
As the global demand for content skyrockets, so does the requirement for video localization and accessibility. Subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing, audio descriptions, and other accessibility support features are also increasingly more visible in the media landscape, offering greater inclusion for people with disabilities.
Working in audiovisual translation and media localisation is an exciting career that requires excellent knowledge of foreign languages, intercultural communication, subtitling, translation and localisation technology, accessibility (subtitling for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and audiodescription), terminology and project management. It also requires an excellent knowledge of the industry and its main players. The MA in Audiovisual Translation Studies at Leeds will confidently prepare you in all these areas.
Core modules will introduce you to essential concepts in translation theory, audiovisual translation and computer-assisted translation, with hands-on practice in our specialised labs throughout the year. You’ll work with professional software and develop professional skills through individual assignments and team projects with simulated scenarios, thus gaining insights into translation project management and professional industry workflows.
Throughout the year, you will have practical specialised translation and audiovisual translation tasks in your language pair(s). You’ll work between English and one or two languages, including Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish. You’ll also have the chance to study modules informed by research taking place at our Centre for Translation Studies on topics such as machine translation, corpus linguistics, interpreting and genre analysis.
Specialist facilities
As a proud member of CIUTI (Conférence internationale permanente d'instituts universitaires de traducteurs et interprètes), ELIA and ITI, the Centre for Translation Studies also maintains privileged collaboration with EU institutions, the UN and several private sector partners. Our Specialised translation and audiovisual translation laboratories (ERIC and ERIN) support all of our translation programmes, complete with 59 high-spec PCs and a wide range of specialist software for translation, subtitling, re-speaking, dubbing, localization, 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 Languages Industry. In this context, the core modules provide specialised training in an impressive range of software tools widely used by leading translation and subtitling companies, such as Wincaps Q4, ZooSubs, ZooDubs, Spot, Trados, SDL Multiterm, memoQ, Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Sketch Engine and PerfectIt.
This course is also available to study part-time over 24 months.
Course content
Core modules will introduce you to essential concepts in computer-assisted translation and audiovisual 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 translation project management and workflows. You’ll use a wide range of professional computer-assisted audiovisual translation tools throughout this programme.
Throughout the year, you will be introduced to approaches and research methods in translation studies, as well as practical specialised translation tasks in one of your language pairs. Optional modules 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). Moreover, you can also choose from any of the research-led optional modules exploring topics such as machine translation or corpus linguistics. Finally, you’ll be able to showcase all the skills you have acquired throughout the year in your summer project which can be an extended translation, a dissertation or a subtitling project.
If you choose to study part-time, you’ll study over a longer period and take fewer modules 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.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Methods and Approaches in Translation Studies 30 credits
- Strategies and Tools in Audiovisual Translation 30 credits
- Introduction to Translation Technologies and Workflows 15 credits
- Subtitling and Respeaking for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Audiences 15 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Translation for International Organisations (English-Arabic) 15 credits
- Corpus Linguistics for Translators 15 credits
- English for Translators 15 credits
- Managing Business Across Cultures 15 credits
- Introduction to Interpreting Skills 15 credits
- Genres in Translation 15 credits
- Introduction to Legal Translation 15 credits
- International Organisations: Context, Theory and Practice 15 credits
- Principles and Applications of Machine Translation 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
- Dissertation: Translation Studies 30 credits
- Extended Translations 30 credits
- Subtitling Project 30 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
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, interactive online resources, and practical classes where you’ll make the most of our facilities.
In addition, 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 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
You’ll be assessed using a wide range of methods. Translation tests are an important element, as are essays together with individual and team projects. You’ll also be assessed on your individual summer project, which can be either two long translation pieces, one long subtitling project, or one short research project.
Applying, fees and funding
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 any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.How to apply
Applications will not be considered until required documents (including evidence of meeting the English language requirements) have been submitted.
We recommend that you provide evidence of English language proficiency at the point of application, as we will not consider your application until this is received. Applicants must meet the English language requirement, submit their application and submit all required supporting documents by the course deadline: 24 August 2022 (International applicants) or 31 August 2022 (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
- 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.
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 2022
Fees
- UK: £10,250 (total)
- International: £21,250 (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.
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
A postgraduate qualification in Audiovisual Translation Studies equips 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.
Many of our students 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 translators and audiovisual translators. Others pursue related careers in language services. Our graduates work 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 the programme, as well as events including workshops arranged with professional national and international organisations.
Translation technology certification schemes (such as the SDL Certification Program), 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.