Fees and key information

Course type
Postgraduate
Entry requirements
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Why study this course?

Specifically designed for professional translators or suitably-qualified graduates, this course will give you knowledge in translation technology and enhance your employability prospects.

You’ll learn how to use various translation environment tools (TEnTs), as well as language localisation and subtitling software.

You can study this course in the following language combinations: English into French, Italian and Spanish; plus French, Italian and Spanish into English.

This course offers a distance learning option for full time (one year) and part time (two years) students. Students from both courses are taught together in a synchronous hybrid mode as one community of learners.

Well-trained specialist translators are highly desirable to employers in the translation industry. This Translation Technology Postgraduate Certification will equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to use translation technology software.

You’ll also gain practical experience that aims to give you a head-start in the competitive translation market, helping you to stand out from other translators in the field.

You’ll use the following software:

  • SDL Trados Studio
  • SDL MultiTerm
  • Wordfast Anywhere
  • Crowdin, a localisation management platform
  • Memsource, a translation management system
  • OOONA, subtitling software

On successful completion of the course, you’ll be able to work in a wide range of sectors including the translation service providers, localisation companies, subtitling companies and the film industry to name a few.

As well as translators, this course could also benefit other suitably qualified language specialists who want to learn how to use translation software.

Take your career prospects to the next level

Specifically designed for professional translators or suitably-qualified graduates, this course will give you knowledge in translation technology and enhance your employability prospects

Choose from a wide range of languages

You can study this course in the following language combinations: English into French, Italian and Spanish; plus French, Italian and Spanish into English

Make us of our cutting-edge resources

You’ll learn to use industry-standard software including: SDL Trados Studio, SDL MultiTerm, Wordfast Anywhere, Crowdin, Memsource and OOONA

Course modules

The modules listed below are for the academic year 2024/25 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.

Year modules

Subtitling

This module currently runs:
spring semester - Wednesday afternoon
spring semester - Wednesday afternoon

(core, 20 credits)

The module focuses on one particular audiovisual translation (AVT) mode: Subtitling.
You will be introduced to the main translation-related issues peculiar to subtitling, including methods of dealing with linguistic and non-linguistic elements within the audio-visual text, and taught the basic, transferable practical skills necessary to develop further experience in a professional subtitling environment. Theoretical and example-based instructions in the basic principles of the various issues will be coupled with practical and technically-oriented exercises relating to these principles.

The module aims to enable you to:

  1. Appraise the challenges faced by the translators working with audiovisual material, namely the complex semiotic mix of linguistic and non-linguistic elements;
  2. Develop practical techniques and translation strategies for dealing with these issues as appropriate to subtitled material;
  3. Identify the pros and limitations of subtitling within the context of the target audience culture;
  4. Appreciate the social dimension of audiovisual texts, i.e. the sociocultural context in which audiovisual programmes are produced, the extent to which these convey values, clichès and biases and how much these influence the target audiences’ perception of the world, as well as the translator’s decisions.

If there are no sufficient student numbers to make a module viable , the school reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the School cancels a module it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative

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Translation Tools and the Translator

This module currently runs:
spring semester - Wednesday afternoon
autumn semester - Monday afternoon
autumn semester - Monday afternoon
spring semester - Wednesday afternoon

(core, 20 credits)

This module focuses on both translation environment tools (TEnTs) that translators are likely to use in a professional environment and terminology mining which translators are likely to perform as part of their work. You will learn how to use Internet resources effectively, including their evaluation, and will employ proprietary software for professional translation and terminology management, both as standalone tools and as integrated in TEnTs. You will also be equipped with the necessary transferability skills to confidently adapt to a variety of translation tools, both desktop-based and in the cloud, the choice of which will be entirely your own based on resource availability and IT-literacy.
Semester: Autumn for full-time cohort and PG Cert students; Spring year 1 for Part-time cohort.

If there are no sufficient student numbers o makea module viable , the school reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the School cancels a module it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative.

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Website and Software Localisation

This module currently runs:
spring semester - Monday afternoon
spring semester - Monday afternoon

(core, 20 credits)

This is an optional module, offered to FT students, PG Cert students and 2nd-year PT students.

The module will have a dual aim: to provide you with an awareness of translational issues peculiar to localisation, and to give you the basic practical skills necessary to develop further experience in a professional localisation environment. You will gain an insight into the cultural, linguistic and technical nuances that distinguish products across countries and determine their success, taking into account local requirements and market needs; you will also familiarise yourself with the workings of the localisation industry, including an understanding of the individual stages involved in the overall localisation process. You will receive advanced practical training in the use of translation environment tools (TEnTs) and other programs used by localisation professionals, both desktop-based and in the cloud.

If there are no sufficient student numbers o makea module viable , the school reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the School cancels a module it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative

Read full details

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Course details

You’ll be required to have:

  • a relevant undergraduate degree with a minimum grade of 2:1 in either translation, interpreting, modern languages or a related field
  • native knowledge of English
  • near native proficiency in your chosen paired language

If you have extensive industry experience but no formal qualifications, you may still be considered following an interview and entry exam.

If you’re an international applicant, you’ll be required to have an IELTS overall score of 6.5, with no component score less than 6.0. You’ll also need to meet the DfE entry qualification requirements or equivalents.

English language requirements

To study a degree at London Met, you must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. If you require a Student visa you may need to provide the results of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. This course requires you to meet our higher requirements.

If you need (or wish) to improve your English before starting your degree, the University offers a Pre-sessional Academic English course to help you build your confidence and reach the level of English you require.

You'll be assessed through a variety of methods, including practical tests, written assignments, reports and portfolios.

Skilled translators are highly sought after. You could go on to work as a freelance translator  or in-house for a translation agency,  a private company or an international institution or  corporation.

After completing this course, you could work as a translator, a specialist in subtitling or software and website localisation in a range of sectors such as business, advertising and the translation industry.

You could also choose to undertake further study on one of our below master’s degrees and progress to PhD level, or even consider teaching.

If you've already studied your undergraduate degree with us, as a graduate of London Met, you'll be entitled to a 20% discount on any further study with us.
* exclusions apply

Please note, in addition to the tuition fee there may be additional costs for things like equipment, materials, printing, textbooks, trips or professional body fees.

Additionally, there may be other activities that are not formally part of your course and not required to complete your course, but which you may find helpful (for example, optional field trips). The costs of these are additional to your tuition fee and the fees set out above and will be notified when the activity is being arranged.

For more information about this course, please contact the course leader
Dr Nadia Rahab.
Email: n.rahab@londonmet.ac.uk

How to apply

Use the apply button to begin your application.

If you require a Student visa and wish to study a postgraduate course on a part-time basis, please read our how to apply information for international students to ensure you have all the details you need about the application process.

When to apply

You are advised to apply as early as possible as applications will only be considered if there are places available on the course.

To find out when teaching for this degree will begin, as well as welcome week and any induction activities, view our academic term dates.

Are you from outside the UK? Find out how to apply from your home country

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