Triangle

Course overview

Did you know, there are many opportunities in the translation job market outside of interpreting and literary translation?

Localisation is the future for the translation industry. As products and services are increasingly offered globally, their content, instructions and interfaces need translating for local audiences. Every time you shop online with a global brand, or use international software, you are using localised content.

Our Translation and Localisation MA will give you the knowledge and skills to take advantage of the career opportunities localisation offers translators.

You will learn the key requirements of localisation in different contexts and get a thorough introduction to the technical tools available. You’ll also look at the 'why' of localisation by looking at marketing strategies and business needs. Practical projects will allow you to put theory into practice and produce work to the latest international standards.

This was the first localisation MA programme in the UK. It has been created in response to the changes of the language service industry, where localisation and specialised translation make up more than 70% of the market. We've designed this programme with employability in mind and you will be supported throughout to develop the skills and knowledge needed in industry today.

Languages offered

You should be a native English speaker or have IELTS 7.0 in English. As well as English you will need significant proficiency in at least one of the following languages (see entry requirements for more information):

  • Arabic
  • Chinese (Mandarin)
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Portuguese
  • Russian
  • Spanish

Why choose this course?

Skills

Gain digital, localisation and language administration skills

Employability

Become highly employable with specialist localisation expertise

A fast growing market

Localisation and specialised translation account for more than 70% of the language industry

Gala membership

Gala is the largest association in the industry

The team have built industry relationships with key industry players such as Sky, Zoo Academy and RWS. 

Zoo Academy software

Free access to professional workflow simulation tools

Course content

The content of this course has been formulated to help you develop the skills and knowledge in high demand by the industry today.

Modules

Introduction to Localisation 20 credits

This module will help you understand the key differences between traditional translation and localisation. We'll introduce you to localisation tools and their use in a variety of contexts, such as academic, practical and business.

Localisation Practice 20 credits

In this module you will participate in real-life localisation projects, to learn advanced IT skills, translation technology, marketing strategies, business execution and language service administration.

Targeted Translation and Localisation Project 60 credits

The Targeted Translation Project is the culmination of your MA studies, allowing you to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you've gained, students usually find this piece of work hugely rewarding.

For this project you will select, research and write up a topic of your choice from the field of translation studies. Your course director and other members of the teaching staff will be on hand to help you choose your subject and provide advice where needed.

It's usually between 12,000-15,000 words and the format can be any of the following:

  • an extended translation (3,000 words) presented with a commentary (6,000-7,000 words)
  • a comparison of existing translations (12,000-15,000 words)
  • an analysis of the role of translation in a particular culture/country (12,000-15,000 words)
  • a research project (12-15000 words).
Translator's Toolbox 20 credits

Computer-assisted translation is an area of extreme growth and it’s vital that translators and interpreters have a good understanding of the tools available to them. This module will introduce you to the key concepts, terms and components, such as, term base, translation memory and translation editor in practice-based workshops.

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Friday 02 August 2024.

Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.
Audio description

Discover accessibility practices in the field of audiovisual translation, with a particular focus on audio description (AD). You'll focus on the theory and practice(s) of different aspects of AD. The linguistic, technical, and cultural specificities of AD will be examined in detail. You'll become familiar with professional tools, workflows and standards.

Because the module focusses on AD produced for members of the audience on the blindness spectrum, part of the module is also dedicated to helping you understand blindness, visual impairments, and the needs of members of the audience on the blindness spectrum. The working language will be English, and whilst you will be given the opportunity to work between languages, it should be noted that for practical purposes, the focus of the module will be largely intralingual.

Audiovisual Translation 20 credits

Accessibility is an important consideration in audiovisual translation and this module will introduce you to the key practices involved. You’ll focus on the theory and practice(s) of different aspects of audiovisual translation, with the main focus being on subtitling for the deaf and hard-of-hearing and audio description.

You will also examine linguistic, technical, and cultural specificities of audiovisual translation in detail. The module will be delivered in a series of weekly two-hour seminars.

English for Language Professionals A 10 credits

Further develop your English language skills focussing on areas which are important for language professionals:

  • lexis, structure and functions
  • receptive and productive skills
  • textual aspects
  • situational constraints, pragmatics and register
  • relevant cultural background
  • sources of information and guidance for the solution of difficulties related to applied concerns
English for Language Professionals B 10 credits

Further develop your English language skills focussing on aspects related to the English language in semi-specialised contexts:

  • lexis, structure and functions
  • receptive and productive skills
  • textual aspects
  • situational constraints, pragmatics and register
  • relevant cultural background
  • sources of information and guidance for the solution of difficulties related to applied concerns
Practical Translation 20 credits

This module will enable you to combine translation theory and practice through workshops to maximise skills development. Workshops are based on translation of different text types where relevant critical and genre-specific approaches are introduced. This module will prepare you for life as a language professional and/or translation practitioner.

Subtitling for Deaf Audiences

Gain a grounding in subtitling for D/deaf members of the audience. You'll get to grips with professional tools and professional conventions (for spotting, splitting, presentation, reading speed etc.) with a view to open up professional avenues.

Translating Texts 20 credits

This module will introduce you to the translation practices for three of the most common types of text: informative (such as news reports), expressive (such as poetry/drama) and operative (such adverts). You will build on the translation theories explored within other modules and have the opportunity to apply them within your own practice.

You’ll learn through lectures and language-specific workshops. Lectures will present various approaches to translation and within the workshops you’ll put your learning into practice by translating texts and discussing why you’ve chosen a particular method.

All our workshop leaders are specialists in their languages(s) and most have experience of working as a translator.

You will be assessed through one piece of summative coursework where you’ll translate three texts, each with an accompanying commentary.

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Friday 02 August 2024.

Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.

Learning and assessment

How you will learn

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Workshops
  • Tutorials
  • Supervision

Depending on modules, you will be taught in a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops. Where relevant, you'll use professional tools, translation software, and will work in our dedicated translation and interpreting suites.

How you will be assessed

  • Essay
  • In-class test
  • Dissertation
  • Presentation

You'll normally be assessed by coursework or by in-class exams. You will also complete a dissertation or a targeted localisation project.

Contact time and study hours

Students will have 6 to 8 contact hours every week during term time, and are expected to undertake independent study (in the form of reading, preparing for classes, writing assignments) for 25-30 hours/week.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

Undergraduate degree2:1 (or international equivalent) in an arts, humanities or social sciences subject
Additional information

Offer holders should have good linguistic proficiency (English and another language) and computer literacy.

This course may be for you if you have an undergraduate degree in one of the following areas: translation, interpreting, English literature, linguistics, language (related) studies (such as English with business; modern language with business), area studies (such as German, French, Spanish, Chinese studies), software development/engineering, media studies and digital humanities.

Language combinations - applicants should have English, and one of the following: 

  • Arabic
  • Chinese (Mandarin)
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Portuguese
  • Russian
  • Spanish

Applying

Our step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know about applying.

How to apply

Fees

Qualification MA
Home / UK £9,250
International £24,300

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

As a student on this course, we do not anticipate any extra significant costs, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses. You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies, which you would need to factor into your budget.

Funding

Funding opportunities for Faculty of Arts students

There are additional funding opportunities available to you as a Faculty of Arts student.

Other sources of funding

There are many ways to fund your postgraduate course, from scholarships to government loans.

We also offer a range of international masters scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Postgraduate funding

Careers

We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students.

Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or résumé, develop your interview skills and meet employers.

Each year 1,100 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Graduate destinations

In the localisation industry there are many job titles (more than 50% of the industry) that most junior translators have never heard of. By the end of your course, these are some of the professions you will be able to consider:

  • Localisation consultant
  • Graphic localiser
  • Software localiser
  • Audio-video translation
  • Translation reviewer
  • Software testing
  • Terminology specialist

Career progression

90.9% of postgraduates from the School of Modern Languages and Cultures secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £25,028.*

*HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on data from graduates who completed a full-time postgraduate degree with home fee status and are working full-time within the UK.

Two masters graduates proudly holding their certificates
" When looking for a job after returning to China, I clearly felt that others only understand translation, but I know localisation. "
Wan discovered localisation during her Chinese/English Translation and Interpreting MA (graduated 2020)

Related courses

This content was last updated on Friday 02 August 2024. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur given the interval between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.