Translation and Intercultural Studies at The University of Manchester

We are leading researchers and trainers in our fields, offering a comprehensive portfolio of MA courses in translation studies, conference interpreting and intercultural communication. We combine practical training with critical reflection on the challenges of translation, interpreting and cross-cultural communication.

We have a wealth of experience and have written some of the standard published reference works for translation studies. We also pioneered a corpus-based approach to the study of translation, using the unique resource of the Translational English Corpus, and we continue to shape and influence the field of translation studies.

Why study with us?

As the largest group of translation and interpreting specialists in the UK, we can offer an impressive array of comprehensive MA and PhD courses. You will study and thrive in a lively and supportive environment and benefit from our well-established programme of extra-curricular events, Professional Development Workshops and research seminars given by invited speakers from industry and academia.

Wide range of practical and research courses

If you choose to study translation at MA level, you can choose from a range of practical and research specialisms, including audiovisual, scientific, commercial, and literary translation, translation technologies, translating for international organisations, consecutive interpreting, public service interpreting, translation and interpreting studies, and cross-cultural pragmatics.

If you want to become a conference interpreter, we offer you intensive training in consecutive and simultaneous interpreting. Our interpreting tutors have extensive conference interpreting experience in international organisations and in the private sector.

We also collaborate with specialists from Education to deliver an MA in Intercultural Communication, designed for students who are interested in other careers where intercultural competence is valued, for example in many multinational companies and organisations, in international projects and NGOs, and in multicultural and immigrant communities.

Comprehensive range of languages

Our resources enable us to offer translator training into or out of English and any other language. And we offer interpreter training in all the principal languages currently in demand in international organisations and on the freelance market – English, Chinese, Arabic, Spanish, French and German.

Professional preparation

Our MA in Translation and Interpreting Studies is accredited with membership of the European Masters in Translation network. This demonstrates that our programme delivers the competences needed to compete successfully for translation jobs in EU institutions and to work in the rapidly evolving fields of multilingual and multimedia communication. We will also prepare you for SDL Trados Certification.

Our MA graduates are well equipped to take up rewarding roles in the language services sector and in other professions requiring intercultural or linguistic expertise.

Research expertise

We can offer expert PhD supervision on most aspects of translation, interpreting and intercultural studies. Our vibrant group of around 25 PhD students work on topics ranging from Hegel and Morrissey to Chinese culture, Modern Greek and South Korean news. Many of our former PhD students now occupy academic positions across the world.