Bethany Donn
Translation Studies, MSc
Introduction
If you have a flair and ear for languages, you may want to study and put your skills to good use in new situations and settings. With demand growing for qualified graduates, a Translation Studies MSc can open doors to a range of exciting international and national careers as well as self-employment options globally.
MSc Translation Studies is also available to study full-time or part-time online.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MSc
- Duration
- 12 months or 24 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
Demand for professional translation and interpreting skills is at an all-time high. Equip yourself with expert practical knowledge and advanced linguistic and cross-cultural communication skills to enter professional life as a translator or an interpreter and benefit from a rewarding and varied career choice.
We offer a broad programme that gives greater flexibility and greater choice to tailor things around your linguistic skills and, just as importantly, around your career aspirations.
Languages on offer include Arabic, French, Gaelic, German, Mandarin, Polish and Spanish. Other languages may be offered based on demand. One of the distinguishing features is that you will have the opportunity to specialise in more than one language pairing, should you want to. This is something that could make you a more attractive candidate to a wider range of future employers. In honing your language knowledge, you will enhance your analytical skills which underpin all language work.
The year is structured around two core courses and seven option courses, together with a dissertation/translation project completed in the summer term.
Core courses are designed to help you to familiarise yourself with the techniques and strategies involved in translating different types of texts (expository, narrative, argumentative, vocative) and with varying degrees of specialisation, in a range of subject matters (business, legal, medical, IT and literature) at a professional level, as well as an awareness of the key theories and approaches that have been developed in Translation Studies. You will also develop the ability to critique and engage with foundational theoretical texts.
Our optional courses allow you to perfect your skills in more specialised areas such as translation technologies, liaison interpreting, intercultural skills, professional skills for translators, proofreading, editing, reviewing and exploring issues in literary translation are covered too.
What You'll Study
Compulsory Courses
- Language - Specific Translation Portfolio (LN5008)
- Key Concepts and Methods in Translation Studies (LN5009)
- Editing, Proofreading and Reviewing for Translators (LN5015)
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
- Critical Skills: Reading and Engagement (PD50C2)
- Critical Skills: Research and Dissemination (PD55C1)
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| EU / International students | £23,000 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | |
| Self-funded international students commencing eligible postgraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £8,000 tuition waiver - See full terms and conditions | |
| UK | £11,100 |
| Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year | |
Fee Information
Additional Fee Information
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships
All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students starting in September 2025 will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Workshops
Assessment Methods
We use a variety of assessment methods matched to individual courses and different learning styles. The academic rigour of continuous assessments and oral examinations is accompanied by a focus on professional and practical relevance. Many of the courses are assessed by means of exercises that are designed to mirror the professional environment. Some courses are assessed by means of a portfolio of translations that students accumulate throughout the year.
Why Study Translation Studies?
- Develop the intellectual and practical skills needed to translate not just the language but to convey inter-cultural understanding.
- Be able to negotiate and bridge cultural difference in different contexts for a variety of clients or stakeholders.
- Acquire practical ability to translate with the help of technology, to proofread, edit and review.
- You are taught by professionals in translation and interpreting with a strong career history and global research capability in translation and interpreting.
- The language industry is one of the sectors in which high-quality jobs are being created worldwide, with attractive job opportunities for graduates with the right qualifications.
- The programme can also be used to progress an academic, research-based career and be part of a journey towards gaining a PhD.
- There is an excellent balance between theory and practice using a range of teaching methods.
- This programme has close links with professional organisations.
What Our Students Say
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
The language of instruction for this degree is English.
To join this degree, you need to have:
- a 2:1 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in any discipline
- an advanced-level fluency in English (B2 minimum), and
- grammatical and structural knowledge (C1/C2) of your native language (English or other).
You also need to have an advanced-level fluency (B2 minimum, preferably C1) in one or two of the following languages:
- Arabic
- French
- Gaelic
- German
- Mandarin Chinese
- Polish, or
- Spanish.
You are also welcome to apply if you have:
- other relevant qualifications, and/or
- professional experience with supportive references.
Please enter your country or territory to view relevant entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
- Reference
- a reference letter from your university discussing your academic ability. If you have been out of education for a long time you may wish to use your current or most recent employer, or another professional person
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Eligibility details and further information are available on our dedicated page.
Aberdeen Global ScholarshipCareers
Given the increasing internationalisation of government, business and other employment sectors, high-level skills in different languages will be vital to have in the future.
Whether you aim to work in an international organisation or company, in publishing, as a freelance translator, or in academic research, you will find this MSc is as practical as it is academically rigorous. And with a programme like this, you will leave with a significant skills advantage across a number of potential job roles.
The Fields of science, law, industry, finance, government, education and media are all now more globally connected and interactive. We live in a digital age where communications travel at the speed of light. It’s a world where institutions, companies and individuals need to translate their communications accurately and appropriately from one language and culture to another.
It’s a world where the focused skills that we help you acquire can become highly prized. This MSc can help open up a fast-moving, highly rewarding world for you.
Career Opportunities
- Editor
- Interlingual Consultant
- Lecturer
- Professional Translator (Freelance, In-House)
- Project Manager
- Proofreader
- Researcher
- Teacher
Accreditation
This degree holds accreditation from
- Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI)
- Association of Programmes in Translation and Interpreting in the UK and Ireland (APTIS)
- Association of Translation Companies (ATC)
Our Experts
- Programme Coordinator
- Dr Maria Sanchez-Ortiz
- Other Expert
- Dr Moray Watson
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Facilities
Sir Duncan Rice Library
The University’s award winning Sir Duncan Rice Library is listed in the “Top 20 spellbinding University libraries in the World”. It contains over a million volumes, more than 300,000 e-books and 21,000 journals.
Find out moreVirtual Learning environment MyAberdeen
This the University’s virtual learning environment. This is where you will find learning materials and resources associated with your courses and where you will be notified of any announcements about your courses or the University.
University Language Centre
Home to state-of-the-art comprising audio-video facilities.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX