Translation Studies
Course Outline
Our MA in Translation Studies programme is part of the European Masters in Translation (EMT) Network established by the Directorate-General for Translation (DGT) at the European Commission. The DGT awards this quality label to higher education programmes that meet agreed on professional standards and market demands – it ensures that you will receive the highest possible training in linguistic and intercultural knowledge and communication skills required to become a professional translator.
Drawing on wide-ranging expertise in the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures (SLLC), the course currently allows you to focus on translation between one or more of the following languages and English:
German
Portuguese
Chinese
Italian
Spanish
Japanese
French
Irish
Korean
Through hands-on practical language classes, the course builds the high-level language competence necessary to work in a broad range of fields, such as business, commerce, publishing, tourism, and journalism.
In addition, it offers up-to-date training in the research methods and tools used by contemporary translators, providing a comprehensive grounding for further postgraduate research. As well as offering recent language graduates the opportunity to refine professional language skills, the course also caters to practicing translators who want specialist knowledge of developments in translation studies, translation technology, and language resources.
Why Choose This Course
The MA in Translation Studies delivers state-of-the-art training in all of the areas necessary to become a professional translator. Core lectures and seminars provide an introduction to contemporary developments in translation theory, different approaches to text analysis and computer-aided translation tools, complemented by generic and language-specific research seminars and training modules, which cover contemporary research methods, up-to-date careers guidance, skills for researching specialist fields and advanced oral and written presentation skills.
The remaining core element of the course is dedicated to specialist weekly practical language classes, focused on developing professional translation and intercultural communication skills in each of the languages taken on the course.
Connected Curriculum
Our learning approach reflects our commitment to the Connected Curriculum where we emphasise the connection between students, learning, research and leadership through our vision for a Connected University. Our staff will support you in making meaningful connections within and between topics such as languages, cultures, commerce, and society.
European Masters in Translation (EMT) Network
Our membership of the prestigious European Masters in Translation (EMT) Network, established by the Directorate-General for Translation at the European Commission, ensures that you will receive the best possible training and link with a vibrant proactive translation community.
Subjects taught
The MA in Translation Studies is a full-time or part-time programme running for 12 months or 24 months from the date of first registration for the programme.
Modules
Students complete 90 credits as follows:
Part I
LL6018 Contemporary Translation Theory and Practice (10 credits)
LL6026 Introduction to Translation Technologies (5 credits)
LL6035 Translation Project (General) (5 credits)
LL6901 Research Methods (5 credits)
plus 10 or 20 credits from the following (10 credits for one language, 20 for two languages):
AS6215 Translation in Contemporary Japanese Culture & Current Affairs (10 credits)
AS6400 Translation in Contemporary Korean Culture & Current Affairs (10 credits)
CH6400 Translation Studies: Asian Studies (Chinese) (10 credits)
FR6503 Advanced French Translation Skills (10 credits)
GA6020 Advanced Translation Skills (Irish) (10 credits)
GE6014 German-English-German Translation: Methods & Practice (10 credits)
HS6003 Advanced Spanish Translation Skills (10 credits)
IT6101 Translation: Methods and Practice (10 credits)
plus 15 or 25 credits from the following (15 credits if taking two languages, 25 if taking one language):
FR6505 Theory, Methodology & Practice of Consecutive & Simultaneous Interpreting (5 credits)
FR6702 Advanced French Intercultural Communications (5 credits)
GA6001 Scríobh Acadúil na Gaeilge (10 credits)
GE6020 Questions of Adaptation and Adoption (10 credits)
HS6006 Advanced Spanish Language for Professional Purposes (10 credits)
IT6003 Advanced Italian Language for Professional Purposes (10 credits)
IT6104 Teaching of Italian as a Second Language 1 (10 credits)
LL6007 Research Journal and Presentation Skills (5 credits)
LL6008 Mobility, Plurilingualism & Intercultural Communication in a Globalized World (10 credits)
LL6013 Introduction to the Localisation Industry (5 credits)
LL6014 Translation and Professional Communication Skills (5 credits)
LL6023 What Gets Lost: Poetry and Translation (10 credits)
LL6025 Introduction to Audio-visual Translation Studies (5 credits)
LL6027 Genres in Translation (5 credits)
LL6028 Translation in the European Union (5 credits)
LL6029 Introduction to Community, Liaison & Public Service Interpreting (5 credits)
LL6030 Translation Project (10 credits)
LL6033 Using Corpora in Translation Studies (5 credits)
LL6034 Languages, Ethics & NGOs (5 credits)
LL6036 Introduction to Terminology (5 credits)
Part II
Students choose one of the following:
LL6031 Extended Translation Project (30 credits)
or
LL6032 Dissertation in Translation Studies (30 credits)
Please see the University Calendar (MA Translation Studies) for course details & learning outcomes.
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About This Course
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Fact File
Course Outline
Course Outline
Course Practicalities
Fact File
TITLE
Translation Studies
CODE
MATS
COLLEGE
Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences
DURATION
1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
TEACHING MODE
Full-time, Part-Time
QUALIFICATIONS
MA
EU FEES
€6,130; €3,130 (Year 1 part-time); €3,130 (Year 2 part-time)
See Fees and Costs for full details.
NON-EU FEES
€16,400
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
See Requirements for full details.
CLOSING DATE
Open for EU applications, check rounds closing dates under How to Apply.
NON-EU CLOSING DATE
15 June
START DATE
12 September 2022
Course Outline
Our MA in Translation Studies programme is part of the European Masters in Translation (EMT) Network established by the Directorate-General for Translation (DGT) at the European Commission. The DGT awards this quality label to higher education programmes that meet agreed on professional standards and market demands – it ensures that you will receive the highest possible training in linguistic and intercultural knowledge and communication skills required to become a professional translator.
Drawing on wide-ranging expertise in the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures (SLLC), the course currently allows you to focus on translation between one or more of the following languages and English:
German
Portuguese
Chinese
Italian
Spanish
Japanese
French
Irish
Korean
Through hands-on practical language classes, the course builds the high-level language competence necessary to work in a broad range of fields, such as business, commerce, publishing, tourism, and journalism.
In addition, it offers up-to-date training in the research methods and tools used by contemporary translators, providing a comprehensive grounding for further postgraduate research. As well as offering recent language graduates the opportunity to refine professional language skills, the course also caters to practicing translators who want specialist knowledge of developments in translation studies, translation technology, and language resources.
Course Outline
The MA in Translation Studies is a full-time or part-time programme running for 12 months or 24 months from the date of first registration for the programme.
Modules
Students complete 90 credits as follows:
Part I
LL6018 Contemporary Translation Theory and Practice (10 credits)
LL6026 Introduction to Translation Technologies (5 credits)
LL6035 Translation Project (General) (5 credits)
LL6901 Research Methods (5 credits)
plus 10 or 20 credits from the following (10 credits for one language, 20 for two languages):
AS6215 Translation in Contemporary Japanese Culture & Current Affairs (10 credits)
AS6400 Translation in Contemporary Korean Culture & Current Affairs (10 credits)
CH6400 Translation Studies: Asian Studies (Chinese) (10 credits)
FR6503 Advanced French Translation Skills (10 credits)
GA6020 Advanced Translation Skills (Irish) (10 credits)
GE6014 German-English-German Translation: Methods & Practice (10 credits)
HS6003 Advanced Spanish Translation Skills (10 credits)
IT6101 Translation: Methods and Practice (10 credits)
plus 15 or 25 credits from the following (15 credits if taking two languages, 25 if taking one language):
FR6505 Theory, Methodology & Practice of Consecutive & Simultaneous Interpreting (5 credits)
FR6702 Advanced French Intercultural Communications (5 credits)
GA6001 Scríobh Acadúil na Gaeilge (10 credits)
GE6020 Questions of Adaptation and Adoption (10 credits)
HS6006 Advanced Spanish Language for Professional Purposes (10 credits)
IT6003 Advanced Italian Language for Professional Purposes (10 credits)
IT6104 Teaching of Italian as a Second Language 1 (10 credits)
LL6007 Research Journal and Presentation Skills (5 credits)
LL6008 Mobility, Plurilingualism & Intercultural Communication in a Globalized World (10 credits)
LL6013 Introduction to the Localisation Industry (5 credits)
LL6014 Translation and Professional Communication Skills (5 credits)
LL6023 What Gets Lost: Poetry and Translation (10 credits)
LL6025 Introduction to Audio-visual Translation Studies (5 credits)
LL6027 Genres in Translation (5 credits)
LL6028 Translation in the European Union (5 credits)
LL6029 Introduction to Community, Liaison & Public Service Interpreting (5 credits)
LL6030 Translation Project (10 credits)
LL6033 Using Corpora in Translation Studies (5 credits)
LL6034 Languages, Ethics & NGOs (5 credits)
LL6036 Introduction to Terminology (5 credits)
Part II
Students choose one of the following:
LL6031 Extended Translation Project (30 credits)
or
LL6032 Dissertation in Translation Studies (30 credits)
Please see the University Calendar (MA Translation Studies) for course details & learning outcomes.
Modules
Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our book of modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.
University Calendar
You can find the full academic content for the current year of any given course in our University Calendar.
Entry requirements
Requirements
Applicants should normally have a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ Level 8) languages or language-related area studies with at least a Second Class Honours Grade 1 in the language/language pair being taken in the MA. Or, for students with native proficiency in a/the language named in the strand(s) for which they are applying, they should normally have an Honours primary degree with at least a Second Class Honours Grade 1 in a relevant discipline (Applied Languages, Linguistics, Philology or another discipline in which they wish to specialise as a translator).
Students with a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ Level 8) will be considered, subject to adequate proof of language proficiency as assessed by the programme coordinators. They may also be required to present themselves for an interview. Applicants should indicate their specific language combination at the application stage.
Students choosing Irish may be required to take an informal language test before being accepted.
Candidates choosing the Asian Studies stream should normally hold a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ Level 8) or equivalent in a relevant subject area together with the following practical language qualifications in each of the language(s) they wish to take as part of the programme:
- Chinese language candidates should hold an HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test) Level 5 certificate (or certified equivalent);
- Japanese language candidates should have the Japanese level equivalent to Japanese Language Proficiency Test N2;
- Korean language candidates should have the Korean level equivalent to TOPIK II (Test of Proficiency in Korean), level 5-6.
Applicants who do not meet the normal academic requirements may also be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) following a review of their individual qualifications and experience by the course committee. Admission of such applicants will be subject to the approval of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences.
English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university approved English language requirements.
For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland:
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements.
International/non-EU applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure please visit our how to apply pages for international students. In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
For more information please contact the International Office.
Application dates
How Do I Apply
1. Choose Course
Firstly choose your course. Applicants can apply for up to two courses under one application. Details of taught courses are available on our online prospectus.
2. Apply Online
Once you have chosen your course you can apply online at the online application portal. Applicants will need to apply before the course closing date. There is a non-refundable €50 application fee for all courses apart from the Education - Professional Master of Education - (Secondary School/Post-Primary Teacher Training) which has a €100 application fee.
Note: Applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Nursing must apply on the PAC website when the programme opens for applications.
3. Gather Supporting Documents
Scanned copies of the following documents will need to be uploaded to the online application portal in support of your application. Applicants may need to produce the original documents if you are accepted onto a course and register at UCC.
- Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC
- Any supplementary items requested for your course.
Please log into the online application portal for more details.
4. Application processing timeline
Our online application portal opens for applications for most courses in early November of each year. Check specific course details.
5. Rounds
For courses that are in the rounds system (Irish and EU applicants), please check the rounds closing dates.
Questions on how to apply?
Please use our web enquiry form to contact us.
Additional Requirements (All Applicants)
Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:
You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
Please indicate your level of language expertise in the language(s) offered by this programme and include details of any relevant qualifications, skills and experiences to date.
Candidates may choose one or two foreign languages for the MA in Translation Studies. Please indicate your specific language or language pair combination: Chinese, French, German, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (can only be taken with Spanish as a language pair) and Spanish.
The closing date for non-EU applications is 15 June.
Assessment Info
Assessment
Marks for Part I of the course are derived from continuous assessment of essays, presentations, practical translation work, take-home or online assignments, timed class tests, translation projects, terminology projects and interpreting tests. Full details and regulations governing assessments for the course are contained in the online Marks and Standards Book and for each module in the Book of Modules
Credits
90 credits
Duration
1 year Full-time; 2 years Part-time.
Additional Teaching Mode Information
The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 2 years.
Enrolment dates
Start Date: 7 September 2020
Post Course Info
Skills and Careers Information
Because of its focus on fostering high level professional communication skills in a range of different languages, the course will help you develop the linguistic and intercultural competence necessary to work in a broad range of fields, such as business, commerce, publishing, tourism and journalism. You will also receive specific careers training related to the jobs in translation and interpreting.
Blue Book Traineeship Programme in Europe
Twice a year the European Commission offers 5-month paid traineeships in its Directorate-Generals agencies and bodies. Trainees work all over the European Commission, its services, and agencies, mostly in Brussels, but also in Luxembourg and elsewhere across the European Union.