Taught Postgraduate Courses
The taught postgraduate courses offered by the Centre for Translation Studies (CTS@Leeds) are distinctly vocational. Most students are aiming at employment as a professional linguist, and CTS@Leeds graduates have a very good record of success in achieving this ambition. However, the courses also provide a sound basis for undertaking a research degree, and a number of MA graduates have gone on to study for a PhD, sometimes after a period of professional activity.
CTS@Leeds offers four programme areas, each leading to the specialisation of your choice.
- MA Applied Translation Studies (MAATS) and Postgraduate Diploma Applied Translation Studies (PG Dip ATS): you specialise in Computer Assisted Translation, using and evaluating the latest commercial software. You will also acquire project management skills in team translation of e.g. websites into multiple languages.
- MA Conference Interpreting and Translation Studies (MACITS) and Postgraduate Diploma Conference Interpreting (PG Dip CI): you specialise in conference interpreting. In regular mock conferences with external delegates you provide simultaneous interpretation as a member of a student team.
- MA Translation Studies and Interpreting (MATSI, not on offer in 2012-13): you specialise in bilateral interpreting as practised in business and diplomatic settings (without simultaneous interpreting). You work in a variety of settings and with a wide range of topics.
- MA Audiovisual Translation Studies (MAAVTS); you specialise in audio-visual translation, not only for the cinema or TV screen but also for media such as web sites. You gain experience of subtitling both foreign languages and for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing.
If you choose to study MAATS, MACITS or MAAVTS, you will take part in the following three foundational modules.
- Specialised Translation covers the journalistic, administrative, technical and literary genres and requires students to produce translations weekly. Students review the work of their peers, just as revision is practised in industry.
- Methods and Approaches in Translation Studies provides the theoretical foundations for reflection on practice and for research.
- The Summer Project consists of producing either a 10,000 word dissertation or a translation portfolio comprising 10,000 words or subtitles for a 45-minute film clip, together with a commentary justifying strategic translation choices.
Since team working is the norm in the language professions, all CTS@Leeds programmes nurture collaboration by creating situations where multilingual teams work together on authentic materials.
- When to apply
- How to apply
- Entry requirements
- English language qualifications
- Fees and scholarships
Due to the high level of interest in CTS@Leeds programmes, we have made some changes to our application procedures for September 2012 entry.
All CTS programmes with Chinese:
We will begin assessing applications on 17th October 2011. Early applications are encouraged. The deadline for submitting complete applications is 31st January 2012. Once the deadline has passed, we will complete assessment of all applications and make offers to successful candidates. We will also place a limited number of applicants on a reserve list – if further places become available, offers will be made to students on the reserve list.
All CTS programmes with languages other than Chinese:
For all other languages we will begin accepting applications in November for admission in the following September. There is no specific deadline for applications, but we encourage you to apply early as places are in high demand and your chosen course may become full. If you are applying from overseas, you are advised to complete your application by the end of May for admission in the following September to ensure you have sufficient time to prepare for arrival in the UK.
Please note: We will only assess applications which include ALL the documents we require. Please see the ‘How to apply’ tab for a list of required documents. Our aim is to assess complete applications within four to six weeks of receipt. For MACITS or PG Dip CI the assessment may take longer. This is because applicants who submit a successful translation test will need to undertake an interview to assess their suitability for interpreting training. If you intend to apply for scholarships you should submit your study application well in advance of the scholarship deadline.
After checking the ‘entry requirements’ tab you can apply online for your chosen CTS@Leeds programme. In section J of the online application or section B of the paper application, please state which language pair(s) you will offer in the programme.
You will need to provide the following documents:
- A copy of your degree certificate and a transcript of your marks (originals or certified copies will be required when you register in Leeds). If you have not yet completed your first degree you should send us partial transcripts detailing the marks you have already gained. If your transcripts are not in English, you should send an official translation with your transcript.
- A completed 2012-13 test translation exercise.
The following languages are available for translation in one direction only (Source-Target). If you wish to translate from two languages, please complete both relevant tests.
- French-English, German-English, Italian-English, Portuguese-English, Russian-English, Spanish-English, English-Polish
For the following languages you have the option to study translation both from and into English. If you wish to do so, please complete a translation test in both directions. If you prefer to study translation in only one direction, please complete the relevant test.
- Arabic-English, English-Arabic, Chinese-English, English-Chinese, Greek-English, English-Greek, Japanese-English, English-Japanese
- Documentary evidence of your English language proficiency (if English is not your native language) - see the table under the English language qualifications tab above
- Two academic references
Documents can either be uploaded when you apply online, emailed to the SMLC admissions team (email: smlcpg@leeds.ac.uk) or sent via post to
School of Modern Languages and Cultures,
School Student Office,
G27 Michael Sadler Building,
University of Leeds,
Leeds. LS2 9JT.
An application pack and further information are also available on request (email: smlcpg@leeds.ac.uk). You may also find it helpful to read our Frequently Asked Questions section.
Application tracking
Once you have submitted an application to the University of Leeds, you should address any enquiries about the progress of your application to Taught Postgraduate Admissions (email: tp_applications@leeds.ac.uk).For MAATS, PG Dip ATS, MAAVTS we require:
A good undergraduate degree (2.1 honours or above, or the equivalent) and an excellent command of one or more foreign languages. Exceptionally, candidates with equivalent qualifications or experience will be considered. All candidates must pass an entry test in translation from one or two languages. If English is not your native language you will need to meet the requirements detailed under the English language qualifications tab.
For MACITS, PG Dip CI we require:
A good undergraduate degree (2:1 honours or above, or the equivalent) and an excellent command of one or more foreign languages. Exceptionally, candidates with equivalent qualifications or experience will be considered. All candidates must pass an entry test in translation. Applicants will also need to attend an interview to assess their suitability for interpreting training. If English is not your native language you will need to meet the requirements detailed under the English language qualifications tab.
International students
Due to the nature of the programmes offered, English language requirements for courses within the Centre are higher than the university standard. The table below gives details of the most common language certificates we accept. If your qualification is not displayed below, please contact the Postgraduate Admissions Team at smlcpg@leeds.ac.uk
| Programme | Qualification Name | Grade Required | |
|
IELTS | Score 7.0 (all components must have a score of at least 6.5) | |
| TOEFL (Internet Based Test) | Score 100; 22 listening, 24 reading, 24 speaking, 25 writing | ||
| Pearson Test of English | Score 68 (all components must have a score of at least 64) | ||
|
IELTS | Score 7.0 (at least 7.5 in speaking and listening and at least 6.5 in reading and writing) | |
| TOEFL (Internet Based Test) | Score 105; 28 listening, 24 reading, 28 speaking, 25 writing | ||
| Pearson Test of English | Score 68; 74 listening, 64 reading, 74 speaking, 64 writing | ||
If your qualification is not listed here, please check the full list of Acceptable English Language Qualifications in the University's Taught Postgraduate Admissions Policy. For information on exemptions from English language tests, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions.
More information for International students, including immigration, VISA and support services, are available from the International Centre website.
Applications for studentships and bursaries can be made to the University of Leeds, School of Modern Languages and Cultures and Directorate General for Interpretation (European Commission).
For a guide to sources of funding and eligibility criteria, please see the funding and scholarships page provided by the School of Modern Languages and Cultures.
For information on tuition fees for September 2012 entry please click here.
If you intend to apply for scholarships you should submit your study application well in advance of the scholarship deadline.