MA Audiovisual and Literary Translation

Should translated literature be entirely faithful to the original text, or should the translation be free and creative not to lose the poetic elements of the text? How can translation account for wordplay, complex metaphors, untranslatable idioms, and unique literary styles? How to translate experimental literature that ignores grammatical rules or defies stylistic conventions? How to effectively convey social and cultural contexts when translating literary, audiovisual, and multimodal texts? How to make the most of the creative challenges and possibilities associated with subtitling, dubbing, and voiceover?

Building on the internationally recognised expertise of both our Departments of Language and Linguistics, and our Department of Literature, Film and Theatre Studies, our MA Audiovisual and Literary Translation course will allow you to further specialise in literature and literary translation, audiovisual translation, and general translation. We combine translation theory with practice, allowing you to develop an in-depth understanding of the linguistic, stylistic, and cultural aspects of translation. You will develop your own personal translation skills, allowing you to translate a literary work accurately and creatively from one language to another.

Our course is offered with the combination of English and one of the following languages: Arabic, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. You can be a native or near-native speaker of any of these languages, as you learn to translate to and from both languages. You work with native speakers in developing your ability to move accurately and quickly between your chosen language and English.

Explore our hands-on, practical modules in the Department of Language and Linguistics, covering areas including:

• Audiovisual Translation
• Translation Portfolio
• Subtitling Principles and Practice

Learn about connections between different literatures and cultures attending wide-ranging topics in the Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies, including:

• Crossing the Boundaries: Literature and Translation in a Global Context
• The Modern City: From Modernism to Postmodernism
• African American Literature
• Continental Crossings: Caribbean and US Literature and Culture
• Documentary and the Avant-garde: Film, Video, Digital
• Queer: History, Literature, Politics

We are 1st in UK for research impact in modern languages and linguistics (Grade Point Average, Research Excellence Framework 2021).

Ranked 11th in the UK for Linguistics in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2023).

If you want a global outlook, are interested in human communication, and want to study for a degree with real-world practical value in a world-class department, welcome to Essex.

Our expert staff

Our lecturers are skilled interpreters and translators, experienced in training students with the necessary skills for professional practice. We maintain excellent student-staff ratios with capped language-specific seminars.

Our lecturers come from around the world including France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Spain, Cuba, China, and the UK. They will share their expertise with you in the areas of professional translation.

Within our Department of Literature, Film and Theatre Studies, Professor Karin Littau specialises in book and film history, reception, adaptation and translation studies, and is especially interested in the effects of print, cinematograph, and computers on practices of reading, writing, and translation. Dr Joanna Rzepa is a specialist in literary translation and researches the complex interface between literary production, print culture, and politics, as well as Holocaust writing in translation. Dr Mary Mazzilli is an expert in theatre studies, playwright, and dramaturg, and researches comparative drama with a focus on intercultural and global performance practices.

Specialist facilities

• 24-hour self-access to our translation lab dedicated to translation students
• Use specialist software such as SDL Trados Studio 2019
• Meet fellow readers at the student-run Literature Society or at the department's Myth Reading Group
• Access the University's Media Centre, equipped with state-of-the-art studios, cameras, audio and lighting equipment, and an industry-standard editing suite
• Weekly multilingual workshops led by internationally renowned experts from the industry
• Our Languages for All programme offers you the opportunity to study an additional language alongside your course at no extra cost

Your future

If you love literature and languages and would like to acquire professional translation skills, then our MA Audiovisual and Literary Translation is for you. Takers of our courses in translation can use the skills gained to further their future career in this area.

You develop a range of key employability skills including researching, writing for specific purposes, and translation. Our course typically leads to a career in translation, but could also lead to a career in education, publishing and administration.

We work with the University's Careers Services to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Within our Department of Language and Linguistics, we also offer supervision for PhD and MPhil. We offer supervision in areas including language acquisition, language learning and language teaching, culture and communication, psycholinguistics, language disorders, sociolinguistics, and theoretical and descriptive linguistics.

Within our Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies, we offer MPhil and PhD programmes in Literature, Creative Writing, Film Studies, and Theatre Studies. We offer supervision in a wide range of areas, including literary translation, modern and contemporary literature, postcolonial literature, creative writing, documentary film and media, travel writing, Caribbean literatures, nature writing, literature and law, experimental theatre and performance, and African American literature, and feminist writing.

Our graduates are successful in a wide variety of career paths. They leave Essex with a unique set of skills and experience that are in demand by employers.

UK entry requirements

A 2:2 degree, or international equivalent, in any discipline, taught in Arabic, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish.

You may also be considered with a lower-class degree taught in Arabic, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish, if you have translation, linguistics or interpreting experience; or a 2:2 degree not taught in Arabic, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish if you have translation, linguistics or interpreting experience

Applicants are required to successfully pass a Translation and Interpreting aptitude test.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other components.

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Additional Notes

The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.

Course structure

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Teaching

Postgraduate students of English Language and Linguistics would typically attend a two-hour teaching event for each module every week. Seminars would usually have about 20 students.

Postgraduate students of translation modules typically involve two hours of classes per week. Interpreting modules typically involve four hours of classes per week. Classes usually contain up to 20 students within each group.

• We use a variety of teaching methods including lectures, workshops and demonstrations
• Courses include both compulsory and optional modules, so the course can be tailored to fit your interests and aspirations
• Lab sessions using translation software

Assessment

• Your eight one-term modules are assessed by coursework
• You are also assessed on your dissertation

Dissertation

• Your 16,000-word dissertation allows you to focus i- depth on your chosen topic from April onwards