Audiovisual Translation MA
Overview
The Audiovisual Translation course is designed to provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to work as a translator in the film and television industry - in subtitling, dubbing, audio description and other related areas. The course has been developed in consultation with the audiovisual translation industry, and reflects its current needs.
The course is suitable for:
- language graduates, translation studies graduates and translators
- graduates of linguistics, creative writing, literature, journalism, film, theatre studies and other degrees within the creative industries who have excellent writing skills and foreign language competence
A variety of language combinations are offered:
English with one of Arabic, Czech, French, German, Greek, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish.
- School of Arts
- Department of Creative Practice & Enterprise
- Centre for Creative Writing, Translation and Publishing
Course Fees:
- Full-time EU: £9,000
- Part-time EU: £5,000
- Full-time Non EU: £12,000
Start Date:
24 September 2012
Entry Requirements
You should normally have a good first degree (2:1 and above or international equivalent) in a relevant subject and be able to demonstrate linguistic competence at a level equivalent to either a first degree or minimum IELTS 7.0 (all components) in your foreign language. You may be asked to take a written entrance exam and/or bring sample translations to interview.
Visa Requirements
The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course at City, there are different rules for:
- Students on courses of more than 6 months
- Students on courses of less than 6 months
- Students on a pre-sessional English Language course
For more information see our main Visa page.
When and Where
- Start Date:
- 24 September 2012
- Duration:
- One year full-time (taught in the afternoons and evenings) or two years part-time study with evening attendance (2 evenings per week).
Course Content
This unique course offers you the opportunity to specialise as a translation expert in the audiovisual translation industry. This industry-oriented course offers:
- a theoretical framework with practical audiovisual translation in the different stages of the film and TV production and distribution process
- two year part-time study with evening attendance (2 evenings per week)
- a wide range of language combinations
- experienced teaching staff, many of whom work in London-based subtitling companies
It is taught primarily in the evenings, and you will have flexible access to industry standard software to complete practical assignments. You will study for either one year full time or two years part-time and will obtain a postgraduate diploma on completion of the programme.
The course aims:
- to link the theoretical framework of audiovisual translation with the practical aspects of this discipline
- to give you an insight into the film development, production and distribution process and its relevance to translation
- to prepare you for a career as a translator and audio describer in different parts of the audiovisual industry (including film, TV, advertising and the corporate video sector)
- to enable you to work to professional standards and ethics required by the audiovisual translation industry
Course Structure
Modules:- Industry context and processes
- Principles and practice of audiovisual translation
- Principles and techniques of subtitling (which covers master files and subtitles for the hard of hearing (SDH))
- Interlingual subtitling (foreign language subtitling)
- Translation for dubbing and voice-over
- Audio description for film and TV
- Theory and practice of translating audio guides for art galleries and museums (optional)
- Screenwriting for translators (optional)
- Audiovisual translation project management
Teaching and Assessment
The one year full-time course is taught in the afternoons and evenings.
The two year part-time course is taught in the evenings.
The university provides industry-standard subtitling and audio description equipment which students use to complete assignments between sessions.
Fees
- Full-time EU: £9,000
- Part-time EU: £5,000
- Full-time Non EU: £12,000
Funding
For up-to-date information about tuition fees, living costs and financial support, visit Undergraduate Fees and Finance or Postgraduate Fees and Finance.
Career Prospects
On successful completion of the course you will be well-equipped to pursue a career as an audiovisual translator in subtitling, dubbing or audio description, or as an audio describer within film and TV or the gallery and museum context. You will also have developed expertise in script translations and translations of film contracts and other documents used within the industry context.Find out more about City University London
Application Deadline
Applications will close when the course is full. We encourage you to apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
MA Audiovisual Translation
To apply for the MA, you will need to submit:
- An application form (either electronically or by post)
- Two references (one of which should be from an academic referee)
- You may also be asked to bring sample translations to your interview
Please ensure you indicate the language combination you wish to apply for in the 'Statement in Support of Application' section of the application form, and also indicate whether you prefer the full-time or the part-time option.
Application Forms
Apply online for the Audiovisual Translation MA starting in September 2012
Download application form (pdf)
Please ensure you indicate the language combination you wish to apply for in the 'Statement in Support of Application' section of the application form and whether you prefer the full-time or the part-time course