Professional Language and Intercultural Studies MA

Program Overview

This comprehensive program combines intercultural studies with professional language skills. Students develop expertise in translation, public speaking, and written communication in English. They also explore the impact of culture on language and identity, and choose from a wide range of optional modules to tailor their studies to their interests. This program prepares graduates for international careers in various fields, including tourism, government, and publishing.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This course combines the study of intercultural communication/studies with a thorough grounding in professional language. The intercultural side encompasses the study of social interaction between cultural groups, including theoretical analysis of some of the thornier global questions which we currently face. In terms of professional language, you will develop skills in translation, public speaking and written communication in English. These two strands are closely connected through exploring the role that culture and languages play in shaping our identity, influencing social relations and affecting aspects of power. You’ll also focus on additional topics that suit your interests and aspirations, as you choose from optional modules across different disciplines or contexts. You could study modules focusing on applied translation, gender and equality, linguistics, and international organisations, among many others. You could even study a foreign language. We’re a truly international university, with over 30,000 students from more than 130 countries and a large, diverse team of leading researchers and practitioners.

Outline:

In your first semester you’ll explore key issues in intercultural studies and begin to develop skills for effective research. You’ll also study the usage and role of English worldwide in different contexts. Beyond these core modules, you’ll shape the course of your studies. You’ll choose from a variety of language-based modules, either developing your specialised translation skills or getting to grips with language in professional contexts. By the end of the course in September, you’ll be able to showcase your skills when you hand in your individual project or dissertation. If you study the programme part-time, you’ll take 90 credits in each year and complete the programme in two years. Students can either choose to focus on translation or English for professional purposes. On the translation pathway, students will need to pass a translation test and take the following modules: Methods and Approaches in Translation Studies At least one specialised translation module On the English for professional purposes pathway, you will take the following modules: Rhetoric and Public Speaking Writing for Professional Purposes

Assessment:

The assessment types vary across the course. They could include traditional exams and essays as well as reflective logs, problem-solving reports, and group and individual presentations. Translation modules also use translation tests. We also use contemporary case studies so you can evaluate current events.

Teaching:

You’ll be taught by leading researchers and practitioners in a variety of disciplines, depending on the modules you choose. As a result you’ll experience a range of learning and teaching methods including lectures, seminars, practical classes and one-to-one tutorials among others. The assessments include, for example, essays but also individual research projects, group presentations, and group projects that give you hands-on experience of project management and working with others that you may encounter in the world of work. We use collaborative technologies to support your learning and, for those who are studying translation, you’ll also receive specialised training in current software. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Careers:

Our graduates go on to work in a wide variety of fields, usually with some kind of international focus. Some of our graduates work in tourism, for local, regional and/or national governments, or for international publishing companies. Some are teachers, either working in international schools or teaching languages. Some are working as translators. This MA will help you to develop a wide range of skills that are useful to many different industries operating in an international environment.

Other:

Our students benefit from this stimulating learning environment while developing their skills in state-of-the-art facilities; as well as our world-class research library, you could practice translation in the Martin Thomas Translation Labs. These Labs support all of our translation programmes, complete with around 60 high-spec PCs and a wide range of specialist software for translation and subtitling. It’s an excellent place to gain an insight into the relations between cultural groups while gaining valuable practical skills. If you’re looking to develop your foreign language skills, you can access the Language Zone, which provides learning materials in over 50 languages, as well as study space, digital resources and workshops and activities.

UK Fees:

£11,500 (Total)

International Fees:

£25,750 (Total)