Why this course?
The translation industry is on the rise with specialist translators being highly sought after.
The integration of business knowledge and translation/interpreting skills will give you a more competitive edge in the job market, opening up a broader range of career opportunities.
The skill-focused and practical nature of the course allows you to gain invaluable industry experience and proficiency in translation and interpreting, which potentially greatly improves your employability.
Our lecturers are qualified translators and interpreters with industry experience.
The practical translation and interpreting sessions will include industry-based tasks.
Glasgow is the economic centre of Scotland, where you can expect to experience a rich cultural and social life.
What you’ll study
Your classes will include:
- Text Typology & Translation
- Professional Interpreting Practice
- Translation and Language Technology
- Interpreting for Business and Commerce
- Business Translation
- Translation & Interpreting Studies
- Dissertation/Translation project
Facilities
Our translation labs are equipped with translation software, highly desired in the translation industry, such as SDL Trados.
Guest lectures
Guest speakers will be invited to cover a range of subject areas related to translating and interpreting. As well as covering academic and research-related topics, the focus of these talks will be on the practical issues of working as a translator and interpreter, or employing the skill sets of both for different careers.
Please note
Currently, we only admit students who can master another language in addition to English, from the following:
- Chinese
- German
- Spanish
- Italian
- French
Course content
Semester 1
Text Typology and Translation
You are introduced to a variety of text types and gain practical experience of the translation strategies for effective translation of a wide range of specialised texts, including commercial, technical and political texts. This class will allow you to gain a professional level of translation proficiency.
Translation and Interpreting Studies
You get to know contemporary translation theory relating to business translation and interpreting and be able to critically evaluate the appropriateness and acceptability of your own and others’ translations and interpretations.
Professional Interpreting Practice
You will gain a practical knowledge of the various techniques and skills required to reach proficiency as an interpreter and be able to use them effectively in different modes of interpreting through practice.
Semester 2
Translation and Language Technology
You are provided the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of various cutting-edge translation tools to improve translation consistency and efficiency, with software such as SDL Trados, Cloud-based translation software, and subtitling software.
Interpreting for Business and Commerce
This component introduces you to the professional dimension of interpreting through a variety of business and economics-related scenarios.
Business Translation
This class provides you with further exposure to a variety of authentic business texts to translate and evaluate, through which experience of commerce and the translation industry will be gained.
Learning & teaching
Lectures, tutorials, workshops, lab practice and regular seminars from in-service professional translators and interpreters.
Assessment
Assessment will be delivered through written assignments, practical interpreting scenarios, practical translation tasks, team and/or individual projects, and final examinations.
Entry requirements
You should have a good degree, preferably above UK 2:1 or equivalent. Academic backgrounds need not be English or Translation. Knowledge in business and economics is desirable. Individual cases will be considered on their own merits, such as qualifications and past work experiences.
Please note that currently we only admit students who can master another language in addition to English, from the following:
- Chinese
- German
- Spanish
- Italian
- French
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language you'll need to meet a minimum of IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 on all components.
Considerations will also be given to those who do not meet the entry requirements for IELTS but passed the Pre-Masters Programme at the University of Strathclyde.
Aptitude test
Suitable applicants are required to attend both a written and an oral aptitude test before admission. A written translation test will be followed by an oral interview to further demonstrate your language proficiency. The oral interview could be conducted either face-to-face or online based on your geographical location and preference.
Fees & funding
How much will my course cost?
All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.
Scotland/EU
2017/18
- MSc: £6,300
- PgDip: £4,200
Rest of UK
2017/18
International
2017/18
- MSc: £13,500
- PgDip: £9,000
How can I fund my course?
The Dean's International Excellence Award recognises academic achievement. It offers international students a merit-based scholarship of up to £3,000 for entry onto a full time Masters programme in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
International applicants are welcome to apply for the MSc Business Translation & Interpreting Scholarship, worth £5,000.
Our scholarship search has a range of scholarships.
Scottish and non-UK EU postgraduate students
Scottish and non-UK EU postgraduate students starting in 2017 may be able to apply for support from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). The support is in the form of a tuition fee loan and for eligible students a living cost loan. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from England
Students ordinarily resident in England can apply for Postgraduate support from Student Finance England. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Wales
Postgraduate students starting in 2017 who are ordinarily resident in Wales can apply for support from Student Finance Wales. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. We are waiting on further information being released about this support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Northern Ireland
Postgraduate students starting in 2017 who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland can apply for support from Student Finance NI. The support is a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500. We are waiting on further information being released about this support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
International students
We have a large range of scholarships available to help you fund your studies. Check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Please note
The fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year. Find out more about fees.
Careers
Students gain professional proficiency in translation and liaison interpreting, specialising in business and commerce, which will open up a broad array of potential career paths from within the translation industry to global commerce and media. Job titles from both the public and private sectors could include, but not necessarily be restricted to, translator, interpreter, technical writer, international communication specialist (in advertising, marketing, media, and public affairs), educator, administrator, etc. Equipped with new business skills, you could also work freelance or establish your own translation and interpreting agency or business. This MSc is also a stepping-stone to pursue a PhD in the field of translation and/or interpreting.
