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Programme code | 1MODL003T |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Andreas Schonle
Rebecca Kosick |
Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
School/department | School of Modern Languages |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full or Part Time |
Programme length |
1 years (full time)
3 years (part time) |
This programme aims to develop the student's interest in and knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of translation. Students following this programme will have at least a good degree-level knowledge of the languages concerned, usually (though not necessarily) with native-speaker competence in English. The principal aim is to equip them with the skills and knowledge to proceed to work as a professional translator. The dissertation will also prepare students who choose the theoretical route to undertake a research degree in translation studies.
The taught element of the programme is split equally between generic (non-language specific) and language-specific units. The former are designed to acquaint students with contemporary theories of translation and encourage reflection on their application to translation practice, and to introduce them to the practicalities of professional translation: they will become skilled in using and evaluating electronic resources, and computer-aided translation in particular, and gain detailed insight into the requirements for and organisation of work in the translation industry. Language-specific units (offered in Czech, French, German, Italian, Madarin Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish) will increase students' general competence as translators (predominantly into English), inculcate increasingly sophisticated strategies for the evaluation and production of contextually and functionally appropriate translation of a range of source texts, and offer the opportunity to develop a translation specialism or specialisms in selected domains. The taught programme will be delivered by e-learning, which is especially apposite: the electronic domain is that in which professional translators habitually work, so that course delivery of itself constitutes a significant element of professional training.
The dissertation will provide both a practice-based route, training students to produce a substantial piece (or pieces) of annotated translation to a professional standard, and a research-based route, demanding a theoretical analysis of existing translation(s) which provides the grounding for advanced postgraduate work.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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|
Acquisition of knowledge and understanding through structured and directed, interactive e-learning, involving extensive exploitation of discussion-board feature of Blackboard. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Formative and assessed translations (general topics) |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
---|---|
|
Acquisition of knowledge and understanding through structured and directed, interactive e-learning, involving extensive exploitation of discussion-board feature of Blackboard. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Formative and assessed translations (general topics) |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
---|---|
|
Acquisition of knowledge and understanding through structured and directed, interactive e-learning, involving extensive exploitation of discussion-board feature of Blackboard. Main strategies involve:
|
Methods of Assessment | |
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Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate |
Students will become familiar with the main theoretical approaches to translation. They will become adept at conceptualizing the process of translation, and develop a sound framework for practical evaluation of their own and others' translation practice. They will undertake translation from their chosen language or languages into English, working with a variety of advanced and/or semi-specialised (technical) texts. They will develop a sensitive appreciation of contextually and functionally appropriate translation, and will be required to draw on their theoretical insights in articulating their reflections on the strategies adopted in each piece of translation they undertake. They will engage in peer discussion to test their own translations and refine their understanding of the processes involved. |
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Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma |
Students will continue to enhance their practical translation skills, undertaking further discussion and annotated translation of advanced and/or semi-specialised texts. Their ability to work as consciously reflective practitioners of translation will be further developed at this stage through introduction to the possibilities and limitations of computer-aided translation, in which they will acquire first-hand expertise, and of which they will conduct an evaluative assessment. They will acquire additional skills in translation-related research, gain a detailed understanding of the exacting standards and working practices of the professional translation industry, and be expected to shape their own working practices accordingly. |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters |
[For MA Students only] The dissertation acts as the culmination of the student's progress through the degree programme. Students will deploy and develop the skills and understanding acquired so far in one of two ways: they may opt either to produce to professional standards an extended piece (or pieces) of original annotated translation, or to write a dissertation analysing within an appropriate theoretical framework an already existing translation or translations (normally from the literary field). The former will be of direct relevance to those seeking work as professional translators: the latter may serve also as a useful basis for further postgraduate research. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Tuition on this programme will be provided by a combination of academic staff and professional translators.
The programme does not require residence in Bristol, and all documentation will be supplied online.
Before proceeding to the MA dissertation, students will however be required wherever practical to attend a briefing session with supervisors at the University.
Kate Withers
Postgraduate Administrator, School of Modern Languages, University of Bristol, 17 Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1TE
telephone 0117 3311182
e-mail translation-pgadmin@bristol.ac.uk
The full-time version of this programme is taken over one year for students starting in September.
Students starting in January initially take the unit “Translation Industry.” From the following September they follow the same programme as full-time students starting in September, minus 20 credits in optional units.
Students cannot take the same unit twice.
All full-time students will submit their dissertation in September and graduation will take place the following February.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Theories of Translation | MODLM2015 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Dissertation (MA Translation) | MODLM2037 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Plus ONE of the following: | ||||
Applied Translation Czech | MODLM2026 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Plus ONE of the following: | ||||
Introduction to Specialised Translation Czech | MODLM2075 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Up to 40 credits from any of the options listed above (that have not already been taken) and other units from the list below, to a total of 60 credit points: | ||||
The Translation Industry | MODLM2017 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
Computer-Aided Translation | MODLM2016 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
Principles of subtitling | MODLM0010 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Supervised Individual Study | AFACM0008 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
MA Translation | 180 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds. An exit award with Merit or Distinction may be permitted where students are prevented by exceptional circumstances from completing the intended award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
The part-time version of this programme can be taken over two or three years. The structure shown below is the three-year part time version.
Students choosing to take the programme over two years will take 60 credit points of taught units in each year. In their first year, they will take “Theories of Translation,” “Applied Translation” and “Introduction to Specialised Translation” in one language.
2 year part-time students starting in January initially take the unit “Translation Industry.” From September they follow the same programme as half-time students starting in September, minus 20 credits in optional units.
Students studying part-time over three years will take a minimum of 40 credits (including the Dissertation) in each of their three years.
3 year part-time students will take “Theories of Translation” in their first year. The units “Applied Translation” and “Introduction to Specialised Translation” in a language should be taken in that sequence.
Students cannot take the same unit twice.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Theories of Translation | MODLM2015 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
And TWO units from one of the following lists: | ||||
Applied Translation Czech | MODLM2026 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Or the following list: | ||||
Introduction to Specialised Translation Czech | MODLM2075 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Or the following list: | ||||
The Translation Industry | MODLM2017 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
Computer-Aided Translation | MODLM2016 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
Principles of subtitling | MODLM0010 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Supervised Individual Study | AFACM0008 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
Postgraduate Certificate | 60 |
Year 2 of 2
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
List A: | ||||
Dissertation (MA Translation) | MODLM2037 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
List B: Students take one unit (20cp) from this list. | ||||
List C: Students take one unit (20cp) from this list. | ||||
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 |
Supervised Individual Study | MODLM0049 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
Computer-Aided Translation | MODLM2016 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
The Translation Industry | MODLM2017 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
Postgraduate Diploma | 60 |
Part-Time (3 years) - N.B. The PG loan is not applicable on the 3 years programme.
Programme structure:
Example 1
Example 2
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds. An exit award with Merit or Distinction may be permitted where students are prevented by exceptional circumstances from completing the intended award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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