Postgraduate Course

MA Chinese-English Translation and Professional Practice

How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: Chinese-English Translation and Professional Practice

Start date: October 2025

Study mode: Full-time

Duration: 1 year

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Language and Linguistics

Become a fully-fledged professional translator and equip yourself with the technological skills and strategies to succeed. This course introduces you to techniques and technology that will significantly improve your English and Chinese language competency to a higher level and develop your translation skills so you can deliver professional technical, scientific and audio-visual translation. Our training includes theories of translation, interpreting, audiovisual studies that will lay a solid foundation for further studies, as well as hands-on practice for you to become familiar with the latest technologies used by professionals in their everyday work.

Key topics include:

Principle of Translation and Interpreting
Translation with Transcreation and Localisation
Technologies of Translation
Audiovisual Translation
Subtitling.

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

You have an opportunity to study translation and interpretation in depth and prepare for your professional career. If you want a global outlook, are interested in communication, and want to study for a degree with real-world practical value in a world-class department, welcome to Essex.

Why we're great.

On top of key modules in translation, we offer a fantastic range of optional modules in languages and linguistics to enhance your cultural awareness and boost your employability, covering topics such as Intercultural Communication, Language Learning and Teaching, and Sociolinguistics.
We organise weekly seminars, workshops and field trips led by internationally renowned experts from the industry
We train students to be translators exceeding global industrial standards, ready for the market, offering top-of-the-notch services through effective self-marketing and professional business management

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 meaning we can provide the best personal support to you throughout your studies, to ensure you can achieve.

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.

Specialist facilities

24-hour self-access to our translation lab dedicated to translation students
Use specialist software such as SDL Trados Studio 2019 (and gain professional certificate for free if you pass the test) and MemoQ for technical translation and WinCaps Qu4ntum for subtitling
Use our professional recording studios to video record a small audience or for presentations
Weekly seminars, workshops and field trips 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

This course improves your language and communication skills and allows you to gain an in depth understanding of Chinese-English translation. Completing our MA Chinese-English Translation and Professional Practice prepares you for a professional career in translation. The professional practice element provides you with knowledge of the business aspects of translation and opens doors to many career opportunities such as translators, post-editors and proof-readers.

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

A 2:2 degree, or international equivalent, in any discipline.

You may also be considered with a lower-class degree if you have translation, linguistics or interpreting experience.

Applicants are required to successfully pass a Translation aptitude test.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 6.0

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.

Structure

Course structure

Most of our courses combine compulsory and optional modules, giving you freedom to pursue your own interests. All of the modules listed below provide an example of what is on offer from the current academic year. Our Programme Specification provides further details of the course structure for the current academic year.

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The course content is therefore reviewed on an annual basis to ensure our courses remain up-to-date so modules listed are subject to change.

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.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY

Principles of Translation and Interpreting

(15 CREDITS)

What are your responsibilities when translating or interpreting professionally? What are the contexts in which interpreting can take place? And what tools are available to assist you when translating or interpreting? Examine the issues that face professional translators and interpreters alongside the theoretical concepts and considerations.

View Principles of Translation and Interpreting on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY

Translation with Localisation and Transcreation

(15 CREDITS)

Want to translate English and Chinese? Develop your practical abilities to translate between these two languages. Study a range of texts, looking at topics related to society, politics, economics and business, to build your knowledge of the relevant terminology and typical constructions.

View Translation with Localisation and Transcreation on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: OPTIONAL

(15 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY

Audiovisual Translation

(15 CREDITS)

What is audiovisual translation? This module will introduce you to the key theoretical concepts and professional practices in audiovisual and multimodal text translation. You will explore key theories and current trends in the field and develop a critical awareness of the practical, linguistic, social and cultural issues associated with audiovisual translation. Practical assignments in subtitling, dubbing and voiceover will help you to apply your knowledge and develop the technical skillss required to work in this specialised field.

View Audiovisual Translation on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY

Professional Skills for Translators

(15 CREDITS)

Want to translate between Chinese and English? Keen to gain technical translation practice? Study a range of technical texts, building your experience of translation in this area. Receive guidance on preparing for such work and understand how to research terminology for technical translation tasks.

View Professional Skills for Translators on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY

Technologies of Translation II and Post Editing

(15 CREDITS)

Do you want to keep abreast of the translation industry and gain a clear overviewof current translation technologies? This module will enable you to gain hands on experience of Computer Aided Translation tools and looks at a range of technologically sophisticated added value services, including website localisation and desktop publishing, to help you develop the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully place yourself into this rapidly expanding industry.

View Technologies of Translation II and Post Editing on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 07: COMPULSORY

Subtitling: Principles and Practice

(15 CREDITS)

Want to produce accurate and reader-friendly interlingual subtitles? How do you recognise good subtitling? What skills does it require? Develop your understanding of the subtitling process. Learn to use the spotting and word-processing functions of professional subtitling software, while building your proof reading and editing skills.

View Subtitling: Principles and Practice on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 08: OPTIONAL

(15 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 09: CORE

Dissertation

(60 CREDITS)

Want to consolidate your practical language skills by conducting a project investigating translation, interpreting or subtitling? Work with a supervisor to define specific research questions. Search existing studies for information about your topic. Reflect on the processes involved and learn how to write an extended report on your findings.

View Dissertation on our Module Directory

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.

Teaching methods include lectures, demonstrations and learning by teaching others
We run a weekly departmental seminar, attended by both staff and students

Assessment

Your eight one-term modules are assessed by coursework and you are also assessed on your dissertation

Dissertation

Your 16,000-word dissertation allows you to focus in-depth on your chosen topic from April onwards
Close supervision by a member of staff within our Department

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£10,500

International fee

£22,750

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.

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Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

Find out more

View from Square 2 outside the Rab Butler Building looking towards Square 3

If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360 degree virtual tour allows you to explore the Colchester Campus from the comfort of your home. Check out our accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

Find out more

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.