Study information

Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year

MA Translation Studies

1. Programme Details

Programme nameMA Translation Studies Programme codePTA1SMLSML23
Study mode(s)Full Time
Part Time
 Academic year2023/4
Campus(es)Streatham (Exeter)
 NQF Level of the Final Award7 (Masters)

2. Description of the Programme

Our MA Translation Studies at Exeter provides not only a rigorous foundation in the academic field of Translation Studies, but also excellent professional training for careers in the language services industry. Exeter’s research culture in Translation Studies is both intensive and stimulating, offering students from around the globe the opportunity to study at a first-class research university. The MA Translation Studies enjoys extraordinary instructional breadth, including not only a full-time dedicated core of academic staff in Translation Studies, but also nationally-recognised language services professionals and translation experts who serve as guest lecturers and mentors. We provide first-rate postgraduate facilities dedicated to MA students in Translation Studies comprising of common study areas and fully-equipped computer work stations with Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools.

This MA is ideal for professional translators wishing to gain a recognised qualification, for linguists and language graduates seeking professional training for a career in the language services industry, and for graduates needing specialist language skills for industries such as teaching, international business and management and the media.

The programme offers an optional Translation Work Placement/Project module which provides the experience of learning about translation as a profession through work. By gaining hands-on knowledge of the field of translation and the language services industry, you will develop essential employability and interpersonal skills that relate to your degrees and future careers. You take full responsibility for finding and organising your work placement or project (either in the UK or abroad), with preparation, support and approval provided by the University. You may find work placements as in-house translators, project managers, translation checkers, among others; you may also choose to be engaged in translation projects for the local, regional, or global language services field.

Our graduates have become freelance translators with their own businesses; they have found employment as in-house translators and project managers in translation companies as well as in international businesses; they have also entered other language-related professions, including publishing, journalism, public relations or language teaching. In addition, they have chosen to pursue further advanced study in doctoral programmes.

Advice and guidance on your programme can be sought from your personal tutor and programme director. All staff offer regular office hours that you can drop into without a prior appointment for this purpose.

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

Our unique MA Translation Studies programme is extensive and well-rounded, focusing both on the theoretical foundations and recent critical trends of Translation Studies as well as on the applied practice in literary and specialist translation. The programme aims to develop broad competencies in Translation Studies, introducing you to translation as a professional, creative, and cultural practice.

The MA in Translation Studies offers a dynamic framework of seminar-based and applied workshops modules that address a range of professional and research interests.

As a student enrolled on the programme, you will develop expertise in the strategies and tools used in effective translation across a range of translation types in order to further your professional goals in translation and in the language services industry; you will also acquire critical knowledge of the key concepts, issues, and theories of Translation Studies in order to become self-reflective and theoretically informed about your own praxis of translation.

4. Programme Structure

5. Programme Modules

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.

https://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/humanities/studying/postgraduatetaught/modules/

You may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module. Optional modules offered are subject to change depending on staff availability and student demand.

You may take elective modules up to 30 credits outside of the programme as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.

Stage 1

120 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules

a You have the option to study a 15 credit module, SMLM154 - Translation Work Placement/Project, to provide the experience of learning about translation as a profession through work and gain hands-on knowledge of the field of translation and the language services industry by means of a work placement of project.

You could find work placements as an in-house translator, project manager, translation checker, among others; or may also choose to be engaged in translation projects for the local, regional, or global language services field. Students take full responsibility for finding and organising their work placement or project (either in the UK or abroad), with preparation, support and approval provided by the University.

Compulsory Modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
SMLM145 Translation Dissertation 60Yes
SMLM150 Translation Theory 30No
SMLM151 The Practice of Translation 30No

Optional Modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
MA Translation Studies option modules 2023-4 [See note a above]
SMLM152 Specialist Translation 1 15 No
SMLM153 The Translation Profession 15 No
SMLM154 Translation Work Placement / Project 15 No
SMLM156 Translation as Literary and Creative Practice 15 No
SMLM157 Introduction to Interpreting: Consecutive and Liaison 15 No

6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the body of theoretical literature on translation, and synthesise and critically evaluate diverse
2. Situate theoretical approaches to translation in their relevant historical and socio-cultural context and to evaluate them critically and self-reflectively relative to one’s own practice of translation.
3. Develop expertise in the strategies, tools, and resources of effective translation across a wide range of translation types.
4. Demonstrate advanced understanding of standard practices and tools used in professional translation and the language services industry.
5. Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the practice of translation across cultures, media and genres, including issues of agency, power, and ethics.
6. Show awareness of translation as a creative practice.

Tutorial dialogue, critical, analytical and self-reflective expression, and peer-group discussion are the foundation of all learning and teaching in the programme. Students receive support on time and project management, and self-evaluation of progress and objectives from the pathway convenors, module tutors and personal tutors.

A wide range of teaching and learning methods are employed, in combination, on each module. Students should consult module descriptors for detailed breakdown of the range of teaching and learning methods applicable to that module.

Modules are combined in such a way that each includes the following range of methods: seminars and presentations; lectures; applied language-specific translation workshops; textual analysis; reflective writing, reading, critical analysis and writing; tutorials; individual research with tutorial supervision. Field visits and placements.

All ILOs may be assessed by all methods.

The range of assessment modes employed across the programme include the following: individual and group presentations; short translations and analyses of both source texts and target texts, extended translations and commentary; reflective portfolios; critical essays; annotated bibliographies; project proposals; dissertation; individual and collaborative editing, revising, and work demonstration, or workshop; individual performance; group practical work demonstrations or workshops; group performance; performance within staff-led practical studio sessions, demonstrations, workshops and performances; continuous assessment of practice; field visits and placements; viva; and DVD documentation and portfolios.

Marking criteria are established for all modes of assessment, related to a specific module’s learning outcomes, and are detailed within each module.

You receive written feedback on all formal written work including recommendations for ways in which work might be improved. You receive a mixture of oral and written feedback on formative and summative assessment. Supervision of early drafts of the written dissertation is accompanied by oral and written comment from supervisors.

All summative assessed work is moderated by first and second markers. External examiners read a sample of all written work.

Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

7. Define a research topic (academic and/or professional), and devise and sustain a complex process of independent research into the field of translation studies;
8. Engage critically and analytically with selected theoretical and practical approaches to translation and thereby gain an overview of their area of interest;
9. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of theories and methodologies applicable to their own practice of translation;
10. Locate, evaluate, analyse and interpret complex, incomplete or contradictory research resources in order to develop in-depth arguments through practice and critical reflection;
11. Demonstrate an ability to construct concise, structured, analytical academic argument and critique of complex ideas;
12. Demonstrate a critical awareness that enables engaging with information in innovative ways in order to formulate original or alternative ideas;
13. Listen actively and effectively in order to contribute creatively and constructively to others’ creative and/or research processes, to critically evaluate these processes and explore alternative approaches;
14. Translate and communicate advanced concepts, creative processes and knowledge gained into both written and oral forms and at a professional level;
15. Demonstrate an understanding of advanced bibliographical techniques, including both text based and media documentation, and to construct an annotated bibliography.
16. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of a broad range of ideas about the practice of translation, and work with complex theoretical material, determining and testing the application of theory in practical contexts; deploy research skills in undertaking extended translations, commentaries, and analyses of translations and/or critical issues of Translation Studies.

These skills are developed throughout the programme in all modules.

Modes of assessment are combined in a varied way across each module in line with the module’s intended learning outcomes. Students should consult module descriptors for a detailed breakdown of assessment modes within each module.

Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

17. Demonstrate initiative and originality in problem solving, act autonomously at a professional level, and make decisions in complex situations;
18. Critically evaluate the success of different strategies in translation, adapting working methods and problem solving for each new situation;
19. Demonstrate an ability to deal with complex ideas both analytically and creatively, demonstrating self-direction, initiative and responsibility, to further their own professional learning with minimum guidance;
20. Organise a complex process of independent, advanced research, and manage time and tasks at a professional level;
21. Employ and evaluate a wide range of library, IT and advanced research resources appropriate to the production of professional standards within a particular assignment or project;
22. Demonstrate an advanced ability to articulate and communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely through written and oral argumentation, critical debate and written or practical presentation;
23. Demonstrate personal skills involved with facilitating workshops, projects, and participation to a professional level;
24. Work effectively in a group, clarifying tasks and making professional use of personal resources to negotiate and manage conflict, to achieve advanced research or creative tasks;
25. Assess and evaluate one's own work and critically reflect on others’ work and work process in practical, theoretical, and methodological terms, in order to improve translation practice.

These skills are developed throughout the programme in all modules.

Modes of assessment are combined in a varied way across each module in line with the module’s intended learning outcomes. Students should consult module descriptors for a detailed breakdown of assessment modes within each module.

7. Programme Regulations

Classification

Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.

8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning

Policies and procedures of the programme, including marking criteria, are described in detail in the MA in Translation Studies Student Handbook, which is distributed at the initial Induction.

All students within Translation Studies have a personal tutor for their entire programme of study and who is available at advertised ‘office hours’. There are induction sessions to orientate students at the start of their programme. A personal tutoring system will operate with regular communication throughout the programme. Academic support will also be provided by module leaders. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff.

All students within Translation Studies also have access to a dedicated space that includes IT resources for Translation in the Foreign Language Centre; this space is reserved for students taking the MA in Translation Studies in order to study and work in collaboration.

The University Library on the Streatham Campus offers a broad collection of foundational works and academic journals in Translation Studies, in both print and electronic forms.

All modules have robust Exeter Learning Environment (ELE) pages, which contain additional resources for students in Translation Studies.

9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning

Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.

10. Admissions Criteria

Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.

11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards

Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.

The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.

(Quality Review Framework.

14. Awarding Institution

University of Exeter

15. Lead College / Teaching Institution

Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)

16. Partner College / Institution

Partner College(s)

Not applicable to this programme

Partner Institution

Not applicable to this programme.

17. Programme Accredited / Validated by

0

18. Final Award

MA Translation Studies

19. UCAS Code

Not applicable to this programme.

20. NQF Level of Final Award

7 (Masters)

21. Credit

CATS credits

180

 ECTS credits

90

22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group

23. Dates

Origin Date

30/11/2016

 Date of last revision

26/08/2021