Translating and Interpreting MA Newcastle University

Join our experts and discover your future with Newcastle University

Gain industry-relevant skills and critical knowledge in the fields of translation and interpreting. Our Translating and Interpreting MA uses English and Chinese as working languages.

Our Translating and Interpreting MA will allow you to hone the skills you need to excel in your chosen professional domain.

Our lecturers have a wealth of professional experience, both in-house and freelance. They have worked in the fields of translation, localisation, and conference interpreting.

You will gain an understanding of how theory and practice intersect in translation and interpreting. You’ll have access to our state-of-art conference interpreting suite. You’ll also benefit from both our industry experience and established connections.

The Translating and Interpreting Master's has two stages. Each stage lasts one year.

You can:

• study for two years – in your first year, you’ll join the Translating and Interpreting MA. Then in your second year, you’ll continue on the Translating and Interpreting pathway
• study for one year - you will join the Translating and Interpreting MA directly at Stage 2. This option will depend on your previous qualifications and experience

At Stage 2, you could choose to follow another of our pathways if your interests change:

• Interpreting MA
• Translating MA
• Translation Studies MA

• 1st in the UK and 8th in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022
• 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• Global Top 125 University - QS World University Rankings 2023
• Global Top 140 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023

What you'll learn

Stage 1

You'll gain a thorough grounding in both translation and interpreting skills and knowledge. You’ll study modules such as Consecutive Interpreting, Sight Translation, Simultaneous Interpreting, and Localisation: Practice and Theory.

Our translation modules focus on improving your written translation skills to create translations of a professional standard. You'll use computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools to create full translation projects with functions such as translation memories (TM), term bases (TB), and quality assurance (QA) checks.

Stage 2

You’ll develop more advanced translation and interpreting skills and knowledge. This involves working in more specialised areas with more demanding industry requirements (international conferences, multinational institutions and corporates).

You will acquire an expert understanding of conference interpreting, remote interpreting, translation and localisation. You can also gain audio-visual translation skills on our Subtitle and Video Game Translation module.

You’ll receive enhanced training on:

• translating more technically demanding texts (science, commerce, law, art, and technology)
• strategically approaching a range of more complex industry-specific client briefs
• theoretical models of interpreting and understanding your workspace and equipment
• the latest development in remote interpreting (RSI)
• performing different modes of interpreting with appropriate techniques on a range of topics
• leveraging theoretical knowledge to carry out interpreting and translation assignments that meet industry requirements

With our expert guidance and industry opportunities, you’ll succeed in the fields of translation and conference interpreting.

Compulsory Modules

• Translating I (Chinese to English) 20
• Translating I (English to Chinese) 20
• Simultaneous Interpreting 1 10
• Sight Translation 10
• Consecutive Interpreting I 20
• Research Methods in Translating and Interpreting 10
• Profession, Processes and Society in Translating & Interpreting 20

Optional Modules

• Consecutive Interpreting II 20
• Simultaneous Interpreting II 20
• Public Service Interpreting 20
• Chinese to/from English Subtitle and Video Game Translation 20
• Translating II: English to Chinese 10
• Translating II: Chinese to English 10
• Technology in Interpreting 10
• Key Concepts in Corporate and Commercial Law 10
• Translation for Singing 20
• Translation Studies I 10
• Fundamentals of Legal Translation 10
• Literary Translation 10
• Translating for a Big Institution. The EU - A Case Study 10
• Localisation: Practice and Theory 10
• Dissertation 60
• Translating/Interpreting Project 60

Our graduates use their linguistic, IT, and interpersonal skills, and cultural knowledge in a range of sectors.

Conference Interpreting careers

• in-house simultaneous and/or consecutive interpreter for international organisations and corporations
• in-house linguist, providing support on a range of interpreting and translation projects
• freelance self-employed interpreter
• event/conference planner
• conference interpreting trainers and instructors

Audio Visual Translation (AVT) careers

• in-house subtitle translator (translation and dubbing of audio-visual content)
• in-house project manager in a translation agency, working on a range of AVT projects
• freelance subtitle translator, working as a self-employed translator and dubber of audio-visual content

Localisation careers

• in-house localisation in an agency, working on digital and non-digital products (from brochures to apps, websites and video games)
• in-house project manager working for a localisation agency
• freelance localisation - running your own business as a self-employed independent localisation specialist
• cultural liaison - working for developers or companies in one locale liaising with clients and publishers in another locale to promote products

Translation careers

• in-house linguists working for a translation agency
• in-house project manager working for a translation agency
• freelance self-employed translator
• translating documents for EU Institutions and members of the European Parliament