Programme structure: Translation (MA) (Online) - what's running in 2025/26

Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.

This programme can be taken over one, two or three years.

Full-time programme structure: (120cps of taught units and 60cps dissertation - totalling 180 credits)

  • Students will take MODLM2015 “Theories of Translation” in their first term (TB-1).
  • Students will also take “Translation Practice and Analysis I” and “Translation Practice and Analysis II” in one language.
  • Optional units may be selected from List D or, where not already taken, from Lists B and C.
  • Students will submit a dissertation in September following their year of study.
  • Graduation will take place the following February.
Unit name Unit code Credit points Status Teaching Block
List A:
Theories of Translation MODLM2015 20 Mandatory TB-1
Dissertation (MA Translation) MODLM2037 60 Mandatory AYEAR
List B: Students take one unit (20cp) from this list.
Translation Practice and Analysis I: German MODLM0055 20 Optional TB-1
Translation Practice and Analysis I: French MODLM0056 20 Optional TB-1
Translation Practice and Analysis I: Italian MODLM0057 20 Optional TB-1
Translation Practice and Analysis I: Portuguese MODLM0059 20 Optional TB-1
Translation Practice and Analysis I: Russian MODLM0060 20 Optional TB-1
Translation Practice and Analysis I: Spanish MODLM0061 20 Optional TB-1
List C: Students take one unit (20cp) from this list.
Translation Practice and Analysis II: French MODLM0062 20 Optional TB-2
Translation Practice and Analysis II: German MODLM0063 20 Optional TB-2
Translation Practice and Analysis II: Italian MODLM0064 20 Optional TB-2
Translation Practice and Analysis II: Russian MODLM0067 20 Optional TB-2
Translation Practice and Analysis II: Portuguese MODLM0066 20 Optional TB-2
Translation Practice and Analysis II: Spanish MODLM0068 20 Optional TB-2
List D: Students may take 3 units (60cp) from this list, or may choose a total of 60cp from units appearing on this list and/or on lists B and C (that have not already been taken).
Principles of subtitling MODLM0010 20 Optional TB-2
Computer-Aided Translation II MODLM0039 20 Optional TB-2
Supervised Individual Study MODLM0049 20 Optional TB-1,TB-2
Computer-Aided Translation MODLM2016 20 Optional TB-1
The Translation Industry MODLM2017 20 Optional TB-2
Work experience analysis MODLM0069 20 Optional TB-1,TB-2
MA Translation   180    

Award requirements

The pass mark set by the University for any level 7 unit is 50 out of 100.

For detailed rules on the award of credit, reassessment and award of a qualification please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.

Degree classifications:

A classification will be awarded in the following qualifications:

  • Taught postgraduate Masters degree, including a Master of Research (MRes)
  • Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications
  • Exit awards of Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates in designated programmes (as described in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.

A classification is not awarded for exit awards where students are required to withdraw from the programme on academic grounds.

The overall final programme mark is calculated as the average of all unit marks in the programme, weighted by credit point value.

The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:

  • Distinction = final programme mark of 70+
  • Merit = final programme mark of 60-69
  • Pass = final programme mark of 50-59
  • Fail = final programme mark of 49 or less

* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.

Diploma/certificate stages:

To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 100 must be at level 7.

To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level 7.