Our Masters in Translation Studies is recognised all over the world for its academic quality, its innovative approach to translation, and its relevance. Based in one of the oldest and most successful Schools of Modern Languages and Cultures in the UK, students benefit from a long tradition of world-class teaching and learning while being part of a postgraduate programme that evolves and develops all the time. We equip students with the knowledge, skills and expertise needed for a successful career in the 2020s, whether in professional translation and interpreting, academic research, diplomacy, business, journalism, or cultural entrepreneurship. The languages we specialise in are Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish.
Located in the unique cultural and historical environment of Durham, our MA has a particular orientation towards culture, heritage and the creative industries. Our specially designed modules in languages, linguistics and professional translation combine with transcultural and transhistorical courses, permitting the close scrutiny of translation across media, cultures and time as well as between and within languages. This cultural orientation offers the broadest possible understanding of translation but does not, however, limit the professional prospects of our students. Our students go on to work in a wide array of professional settings from creative or literary translation and institutes of culture and heritage to university departments, government organisations and the worlds of technology, finance, sport and medicine. We also have a strong network of graduates from our programme working in professional translation agencies across the globe and a main goal of the programme is to help orient students towards the right path for them.
The development you end up feeling in such a short period time is truly amazing!
I joined the MA in Translation Studies after nearly four years in Japan. I had a purely practical background in language and translation and so I chose options such as the work placement module and intercultural project management with ethics. However, I quickly realised that I was enjoying translation theory and transcultural modules so much so that I even audited the Crossing Cultures module half-way through the year because I had to know more.
I studied two specialised languages and undertook a work placement and also chose to audit several other cultural and theory-based modules because they were too interesting to miss out on! I am joining the Civil Service Fast Stream with a view to gaining invaluable experience (and vocab!) that will enable me to specialise as a professional translator in the future”
Doing the Durham MA in Translation Studies was academically and professionally transformative for me. […] The modules allowed me to combine my passion for languages, literature, and visual arts. After graduation, I started working as a freelance translator (ArabicEnglish) and as a lecturer at Birzeit University in Palestine. A year later, I received a Durham Doctoral Studentship and returned to Durham University to start a PhD in Translation Studies.
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