Master in Translation – Concentration in Translation Studies

The Master (MA) in Translation is divided into four different concentrations, including “Translation Studies”, which is described below.

Overview of the programme
Content
Methods and objectives
Career opportunities
Practical information

Overview of the programme

The focus of this Master of Arts programme is two-fold: it trains future translators to translate diverse text types into their mother tongue; and it prepares students for research-oriented professions by developing specific competencies and interdisciplinary approaches.

Content

Curriculum

• Master comprising 120 ECTS credits
  • Required courses and optional courses
  • Thesis (25 ECTS credits)
• One or two passive languages

Areas of study

• Advanced translation and revision (core curriculum)
• Specialised translation
• Specialised subject areas
• Translation studies:
  • History of translation
  • Contemporary translation theory
  • Epistemology and research methodology
  • Translation didactics
  • Translation criticism
  • Translation and subjectivity
  • Seminar in translation studies
• Translation technologies

The programme begins each year in the autumn and lasts 4 semesters. Courses are given in French (or in English in a few cases) and in the languages of the student’s chosen combination (25 Kb, ) .

Methods and objectives

This Master of Arts programme provides advanced training in translation combined with a significant degree of specialisation in translation studies.

The core curriculum in advanced translation and revision provides students with the skills they will need to select and implement translation strategies appropriate to each context of communication they encounter, in keeping with professional quality standards.

The concentration in translation studies enables students to master the main theoretical approaches to translation in order to analyse both process – the act of translating – and product – published translations. The state of the art in the field of translation is presented from a historical perspective (“History of Translation”), followed by a course on the latest advances in the field (“Contemporary Translation Theory”). A general seminar (“Epistemology and Research Methodology”) provides an introduction to scientific research methods and critical analysis, and various specialised seminars are offered: “Translation Didactics”, “Translation Criticism”, and the “Translation Studies Seminar”.

The theoretical and practical focus of the programme enables the student to develop a critical mind and to master the tools necessary for solving the problems posed by translation and multilingual communication.

Career opportunities

The Master of Arts in Translation with a Concentration in Translation Studies offers numerous opportunities, both nationally and internationally:

• Teaching and scientific research, translation theorist
• Professional translator, language expert
• Corrector, reviser
• Editor
• Public and international relations
• Information and communication sectors: the press, the audiovisual industry, documentary research, the internet
• Public administration at the federal, cantonal and municipal levels
• International organisations and NGOs

Practical information

Useful links and documents to download

• Admission requirements and enrolment procedures
• Language combinations (25 Kb, )
• Curriculum and study regulations
• Course descriptions
• Programme
• List of MA in Translation theses

Contacts

• Head of the MA concentration: Prof. Lance Hewson
• Guidance, planning and advice: academic advisors
• Admission and enrolment: student secretariat