Translation Studies

Dublin City University offers a comprehensive postgraduate programme in Translation Studies, with a wide range of modules including Translation Technology, Audiovisual Translation, Research Methodologies, Translation Theory, Simulated Translation Bureau. Students take Translation Practice modules in one or two of French, German, Irish, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese. Translation is into English except for students taking Irish who work into Irish.



The MA in Translation Studies at DCU is a member of the European Masters in Translation (EMT) Network established by the Directorate-General for Translation at the European Commission. This has established the MA programme as one of the most prestigious in Europe. For more information see: https://ec.europa.eu/info/european-masters-translation-emt_en



Lecturers on the MA in Translation Studies at Dublin City University are internationally recognised scholars in the field of Translation Studies, many of whom have extensive connections with the translation profession and the translation industry.



Why this programme?

• Develops a range of professional and linguistic skills appropriate to the translation profession

• Provides practical training in the translation of a range of specialised texts

• Equips students with the technological tools and skills required in the profession in the twenty-first century

• Introduces students to contemporary theoretical issues in Translation Studies.

Students on the MA in Translation Studies take core modules Translation Technology, Computerised Terminology, Translation Theory, Research Methodologies and Simulated Translation Bureau. Specialised translation modules available are from French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese into English, and from English into Irish.



Optional modules include, Localisation, Community Interpreting, Digital Methods in Language and Discourse.



Students write a dissertation over the course of the summer months. Alternatively, they can participate in a three-month work placement in Ireland or abroad.

Requirements

For admission to the MA in Translation Studies, successful applicants will have -

A degree at the level of an Irish or UK Honours undergraduate degree (H2.2 or above) or equivalent,



Or

Applicants with appropriate combinations of professional qualifications and experience may also be considered. This includes discipline-specific knowledge and know-how; transferable skills; basic research competency; personal effectiveness.



This Programme requires a high level of Language Competence:

1. Applications are invited from graduates normally with at least a Second Class Honours degree in any one (for the one-language route) or two (for the two-language route) of the following language(s): Irish, Chinese, French, German, Japanese or Spanish.

2. In addition, applicants should preferably have spent a total of at least 12 months in a country/countries where the language(s) they wish to study are spoken.

3. Consideration will be given to other subject specialists with appropriate linguistic competence.

4. International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language.



Due to the specialist nature of this programme, additional criteria may be used to assess suitability to undertake this programme

Application Deadlines

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the programme is full or until the following dates:



• Closing date for non EU applicants is 1st July 2024.

• Closing date for EU applicants is 31st July 2024.



Note applicants who require a study visa for the purposes of studying at DCU, are advised to apply as early as possible.



All entry requirements should be met before the commencement of the programme.



Queries

Queries from EU applicants should be directed to postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie

Queries from non EU applicants should be directed to internationalapplications@dcu.ie



To apply for this programme:

All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal - view Application Weblink above



• Provide Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation, if applicable.



• Provide a Personal statement of 500-750 words maximum. The statement should include:

(i) Why you wish to study this programme.

(ii) What in your record and experience makes you suitable for the MA programme.

(iii) The impact which you expect the MA would have on your future.



• If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements. Please see link https://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml



Irish language fees subvention/support

• DCU may award subvention of up to 50% of fees for applicants studying Irish, based on the quality of MTS applications received. Successful candidates will be notified in August. Applicants who intend to study Irish in both semesters should notify the Programme Chair when submitting their application.



• Under the Higher Education Authority /Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Irish Advanced Skills Initiative, all postgraduate candidates wishing to study Irish translation at designated centres around the country are now required to sit the TEG B2 exam before being accepted onto programmes. Deadlines and exam dates for the TEG B2 test are available from http://www.teg.ie/english.167.html



• Those who fail to take the TEG B2 exam in time and are accepted onto the MTS are required to sit the TEG exam at the first available opportunity thereafter. Students of Irish will be required to pass TEG C1 before completing their studies.

1 year full-time

The programme commences in September 2024.

Career Areas

Bilingual and Irish language media

Diplomatic Services

EU and International Advisory bodies

EU Institutions

European Institutions

International organisations

Self Employed

Social media

Starting Your Own Business

Translating and Interpreting



The technology and translation skills taught on this course are an essential part of practising as a translator, and they improve employability, both within large organisations and as a freelance translator.



Many graduates from the MA in Translation Studies become professional translators, working on a freelance basis for agencies or in the translation departments of large companies.



Graduates may also be eligible for the competitive examinations leading to employment in the Translation Divisions of the Institutions of the European Union or other international organisations.



For more information on translating for Europe see: https://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/translation



For information on the Translation Centre for the Bodies of the European Union see: https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/agencies/cdt_en



Some graduates follow careers in related fields such as:

Publishing

Broadcasting

Information Technology (IT)



Where graduates may take up positions such as:

Terminologists

Technical writers

Lexicographers

Subtitlers

Software localisers



Others opt for careers in the public service, in teaching, at secondary or tertiary level, or undertake research.



Some graduates may wish to continue their studies to doctoral level at DCU or elsewhere. For more information on continuing research in the area of Translation Studies see Research in the School of Applied Language and Intercultural Studies (SALIS): https://www.dcu.ie/salis/research.shtml