MA — 2025 entry Translation and AI (Chinese Pathway)
In this course, the world’s first-ever MA in Translation and AI, delivered in collaboration with KL Communications Ltd and Dr Kevin Lin OBE, you will benefit from a professionally relevant, skills-focused curriculum, offering an attractive combination of translation practice, responsible use of technology including AI and intercultural training.
Why choose
this course?
- Teaching steeped in experience – this degree builds on the success of our MA Interpreting Chinese Pathway (established in 2011) and the distinguished history of our MA Translation programme, launched in 1986.
- The course is taught in collaboration with KL Communications Ltd, a UK-based company specialising in translation and interpreting, whose managing director, Dr Kevin Lin OBE, is the Lead Interpreter (Chinese) for the UK government’s Foreign Office, a successful business leader and experienced trainer.
- The course has a strong practical component and offers a clear focus on existing and emerging technologies, including neural machine translation and generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, and their integration with human practice.
- As a UK centre of excellence in translation studies, supported by the Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI, all teaching in Surrey’s Centre for Translation Studies (CTS) is informed by our leading research in translation and technology.
- Focusing on recent global trends, with special emphasis on China’s emergence as a major global power, the course equips you to address the communication needs of this market.
- The course helps you develop problem-solving, analytical thinking, digital and language transfer skills, which are required in the rapidly evolving landscape of the Language Services Industries, working flexibly in both the English-into-Chinese and the Chinese-into-English direction.
- We support internships and professional development activities, enabling you to collaborate with language service providers and build a professional engagement portfolio that you can present to future employers.
Statistics
Research excellence
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 ranked Literature and Languages 10th for research impact in the UK, with 75% of our case studies rated as having outstanding impacts
Fantastic graduate prospects
96% of Surrey's postgraduates go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA)
4th in the UK
For Languages and Linguistics in the Guardian University Guide 2025
What you will study
- In our MA in Translation and AI (Chinese Pathway) you will study and develop professional translation skills under the co-ordinated guidance of a team of professional translators led by Dr Kevin Lin and experienced academics at Surrey’s Centre for Translation Studies (CTS).
- You will simulate real-life translation scenarios and cover a variety of specialisms, as you develop a solid grounding in the linguistic, cognitive, quality-related, social and ethical dimensions of translation.
- You will learn to use cutting-edge tools to enhance your practice, from computer-assisted translation tools and corpus linguistics software for translation to neural machine translation and generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT).
You will customise your learning through optional modules on the creative, business, technological and research dimensions of translation, according to your own strengths, personal interests and career ambitions.
You will gain experience of language services provision through work placements and industry collaborations.
Our flexible dissertation options enable you to choose from:
- A research-based dissertation on a specific translation topic
- An extended translation project accompanied by a reflective analytical commentary
- A critical report based on a language-industry work placement or a skills-enhancement activity (such as a summer school or similar).
During your studies, academic and professional excellence will be rewarded with the following prizes:
- RWS Campus Top Student Award (two Trados licenses)
- Project management training (one free-of-charge place in the Pro PM Training and Certification Programme)
- Professional Engagement Portfolio Prize
- Best Performance in Translation Prize.
Research-led teaching
Taught by professional translators and research-active academics working closely together, this course offers you a combination of practical experience and research-led teaching. The practice-based translation modules are taught by Dr Kevin Lin and his team, who bring their first-hand knowledge, industry standards, and up-to-date market insights directly into the classroom.
A future-proof education
Many texts, such as legal documents, medical reports, or literary works, demand a nuanced understanding of the writer’s intentions, specific terminologies stylistic conventions, and an awareness of emotional impact that AI-powered translation tools cannot offer. While AI tools can assist in translation, they cannot replicate the linguistic precision, creativity and intuition that skilled human translators bring.
Our MA Translation and AI equips you with core translation and technological skills, along with expertise in terminology management, transcreation, localisation, multimodal and audiovisual translation, and other specialised language services. Industry-focused and informed by CTS’s leading research, our course trains you in translating both creative and specialised texts while effectively using translation-memory systems, neural machine translation (NMT) and large language models (LLMs), performing post-editing tasks, and collaborating through digital platforms. You will explore the quality, uses and usability of AI-powered machine translation, the translation of audiovisual content for diverse audiences, and gain an introduction to natural language processing (NLP). You will also explore corpus linguistics techniques for terminology extraction and bilingual term compilation, and learn how to enhance translation quality and adapt translation products to different user preferences through advanced writing and editing techniques.
Professional development
Our course equips you with the translation, technological, business, interpersonal and essential soft skills for a successful career in the language services industry.
You will practise translation working from English into Chinese and from Chinese into English in small groups, guided by professional translators, who simulate real-world scenarios across a range of specialisms (e.g., business, legal, scientific, technical and medical domains). With our expertise in translation technologies, our graduates are well prepared to operate in today’s translation and technology markets, adapt to emerging modes of language services provision and meet future market needs.
Through regular seminars with guest speakers (translators, interpreters, users of language services and researchers), you will gain further insights into the profession and the latest translation research. Our annual CTS careers fair connects our MA students with local and international language service and technology providers, supporting professional networking, while work placements provide first-hand industry experience.
You will receive guidance on developing a professional engagement portfolio to help you build a professional CV as you study. This includes documenting your collaborations with language services providers (such as work placements and volunteer translation) and other extra-curricular activities (such as mastering a new AI or translation tool, joining a professional association or attending a professional development workshop). You will also be encouraged to use your skills in the local community. Past students have translated for the University’s International Office, Surrey’s Watts Gallery and Guildford Walking Tours.
Industry links
We have forged close links with the main professional bodies in the language industry. For example, we are part of the prestigious Higher Education Partnership of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) and a corporate member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI). You can join these bodies as a student member during the course and become a full member after you graduate.
We also collaborate with the Translation Automation User Society (TAUS), the European Language Industry Association (ELIA), and the Globalization and Localization Association (GALA), which enables you to apply for a work placement with various translation partner companies. We have close links with many language service providers, and have an extensive network of visiting professionals, so you will benefit from excellent connections and be taught to industry standards.
The MA Translation and AI (Chinese pathway) course is studied over one year (full-time). The taught part of the programme is divided into eight 15-credit modules. A 15-credit module is indicative of 150 hours of learning. The hours of learning comprise of contact hours, guided learning and private study.
The course has five compulsory modules, and you must select another three optional modules. The compulsory modules are:
- Translation Analysis I (English-Chinese)
- Translation Analysis II (Chinese-English)
- Translation Workshop I (English-Chinese)
- Translation Workshop II (Chinese-English)
- Principles and Challenges of Translation and Interpreting
Our varied offer of optional modules will enable you to tailor the programme to your personal strengths and preferences. Your module choice depends on the emphasis you wish to place on technological, organisational or creative/community outreach aspects of various types of translation.
You will complete your degree with a dissertation (60 credits), to be submitted at the beginning of September. You can choose between three types of dissertation:
- A topic-based dissertation
- An extended translation and analytical commentary
- A work placement (minimum 150 hours), to be sourced by the student and approved by the Programme Lead, plus a critical report.
- A skills enhancement programme (minimum 50 hours), with a critical report
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Modules are subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff, meaning all modules are comprised of multiples of 15 credits, up to a maximum of 120 credits.
Course options
Year 1
Semester 1
Compulsory
This module provides students with a systematic framework for understanding key concepts in Translation and Interpreting Studies and how they relate and apply to the rest of the programme and to everyday professional practice. The module enables students to confront a wide range of translation and interpreting challenges, from the lack of equivalence between languages and cultures to contemporary technological, ethical and societal issues affecting translation and interpreting practice, including the rapidly evolving use of machine translation and artificial intelligence (AI). The module equips students with both a solid grounding in the guiding principles of translation and interpreting, derived from scholarly engagement with the discipline, and the strategies required to engage in best practices in the profession and future career development. Taking a holistic approach to translator and interpreter education, the module consists of lectures and seminars that discuss the main principles and challenges of translation and interpreting, and explore solutions in close alignment with other modules in the programme. Students complement lectures and seminars with practical exercises and independent reading.
View full module detailsThis module offers a learning-conducive environment where students self-analyse their own translations, identifying problems for improvement and resolving underlying issues that cause mistranslation in the English-into-Chinese language direction. Tutors with long-established professional activity in the field provide guidance that helps students uncover translation issues and challenges and resolve problems. All translation documents used in class are culled from authentic translation assignments and realistic scenarios. Students apply the skills and techniques gained in their practical translation module in the programme and work on weekly assignments followed by self-analysis and tutor feedback. Through a range of exercise and simulations, students engage with regular, practical translation tasks in which they are encouraged to both translate different types of texts as well as reflect critically on the principles and challenges of English-Chinese translation.
View full module detailsThis module provides two internally connected components. Firstly, it provides students with detailed methodological procedures and specific guidance of solving problems related to the translation of words, expressions and sentences from English into Chinese. This part focuses on the grammatical differences between English and Chinese languages from the lexical and syntactic levels, and how such differences impact translation of words, expressions and sentences from English into Chinese. Specific techniques of translation will be explained and illustrated with hand-picked examples, enabling students to confront a wide range of challenges of translating words and sentences caused by the lack of equivalence between English and Chinese languages and cultures. Secondly, the module introduces students to the practices and techniques of translating different types of texts from English to Chinese as carried out in authentic settings, e.g. translating for corporates, governments, technical companies, etc. This module focuses on preparing students for professional translation work through linguistic, conceptual and terminological research practice and producing documents to professional specifications.
View full module detailsOptional
This module is an introduction to the practice of translation with the support of the most advanced technologies available, focusing on the demand for translators to possess expert skills to be in command of their performance and in control of the outputs of their work. The module is informed by the evolution of requirements of professional translation, namely under the influence of advanced technologies like machine translation. The focus of the module is on the interaction between translators and the computer tools that they use.
View full module detailsThe purpose of this module is to develop problem-solving skills, enabling students to acquire basic and intermediate concepts of computer science and programming, and to learn how to apply them to problems related to translation-related tasks such as glossary creation, error analysis, automatic substitution. Topics to be covered include computational thinking, basic programming concepts such as fundamental data types, control structures, as well as practical examples how this knowledge can be applied for extracting statistics from corpora, cleaning translation memories and preparing data for experiments and analyse the results. Students will be taught different prompting techniques which allows them to interact with Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT to solve problems. Students will learn how to analyse a problem, design solutions and implement them in a chosen programming language with the help of LMMs. The programming language to be used in this module is Python. Students will learn not only how to implement solutions in Python, but they will also gain the skills to analyse the responses from LLMs existing pieces of code and understand how to adapt them for their needs. Practical sessions will give participants hands-on experience in LLM prompting and writing Python programs individually and in teams. The practical sessions will greatly enhance students’ problem-solving skills and resourcefulness. The module is intended for students who have no programming experience, but students with programming background interested in learning Python and how it can be used in the area of translation technology will also benefit from it.
View full module detailsThis module focuses on the intricate relationship between writing and translation through the practicalities of text production within a broad writing context (i.e. from fiction prose to technical text production), with a view to making translators aware of the basic elements required to create an effective text. It will combine weekly theoretical lectures with workshops to read and discuss students' work as well as rewriting and revising techniques.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
This module introduces students to the key critical considerations and creative and technical decisions faced by translators of works in the cultural/creative industries, such as the film, theatre, creative or publishing industries. By focusing on the repertoires and creative decisions that such translation entails, the definition of ‘translation’ will be examined rather broadly, namely, both as a form of interlingual transfer and as a creative platform for (re)writing texts. Examples are offered from the areas of advertising, cultural heritage, tourism, performance (drama translation) and entertainment/art (children’s literature, comic books, films). The module is suitable for students with different language backgrounds and it offers a creative practical component as well as insights into how the creative industries work.
View full module detailsThis module builds on the work of the Translation Analysis I module, but in the reverse language direction. By extending the approach of problem-solving in the Chinese-into-English direction, the module focuses on a different configuration of linguistic competence and language technology resources. As in Translation Analysis I, students self-analyse their own translations, identifying problems for improvement and resolving underlying issues that cause mistranslation. Tutors with long-established professional activity in the field provide guidance that helps students uncover translation issues and challenges and resolve problems. All translation documents used in class are culled from authentic translation assignments and realistic scenarios. Students apply the skills and techniques gained in their practical translation module in the programme and work on weekly assignments followed by self-analysis and tutor feedback. Through a range of exercise and simulations, students engage with regular, practical translation tasks in which they are encouraged to both translate different types of texts as well as reflect critically on the principles and challenges of Chinese-English translation.
View full module detailsThis module builds on the work of the Translation Workshop I module by focusing on units of translation in the reverse language direction. By extending the approach of problem-solving in the Chinese-into-English direction, the module allows students to exercise their attention to detail and to make strategic use of different digital and AI-powered resources. Going beyond the typical language transfer scenario allows them to build confidence when deploying the above resources and when delivering text output for English-speaking clients. As in Translation Workshop I, the module provides two internally connected components. Firstly, it provides students with detailed methodological procedures and specific guidance of solving problems related to the translation of words, expressions and sentences from Chinese into English. This part focuses on the grammatical differences between Chinese and English languages from the lexical and syntactic levels, and how such differences impact translation of words, expressions and sentences from Chinese into English. Specific techniques of translation will be explained and illustrated with hand-picked examples, enabling students to confront a wide range of challenges of translating words and sentences caused by the lack of equivalence between Chinese and English languages and cultures. Secondly, the module introduces students to the practices and techniques of translating different types of texts from Chinese to English as carried out in authentic settings, e.g. translating for corporates, governments, technical companies, etc. This module focuses on preparing students for professional translation work through linguistic, conceptual and terminological research practice and producing documents to professional specifications.
View full module detailsOptional
Students taking this module explore the main theoretical and practical aspects of smart technologies for translation, with emphasis on how the latest developments in Natural Language Processing, Large Language Models (e.g. ChatGPT) and Corpus Linguistics can to help translators. The purpose of this module is to enable students to understand the challenges faced when using computers artificial intelligence to process text automatically or when they need to process speech as an input. The focus is on enhancing students’ digital capabilities, especially those linked to the translation industry. The module will provide students with knowledge about the fields of Machine Translation (MT), Natural Language Processing (NLP), Large Language Models (LLMs) and Corpus Linguistics (CL). The module will start with an introduction to NLP and machine translation and will present different paradigms to produce automatic translations. Students will be provided with hands-on experience on how to train translation engines, and how it is possible to evaluate MT, as well as how to use LLMs for translation related tasks. . Other topics such as terminology extraction, speech recognition and translation will also be covered. The students will learn how to harvest relevant corpora from the web, clean them and use them for translation-related tasks.The practical tasks addressed in the module will improve students’ problem-solving skills and contribute to their future career development. Knowledge of programming will not be necessary, but students who have a programming background will be given the opportunity to use this knowledge in the module. Links will be established with other modules such as TRAM500 and TRAM496.
View full module detailsSemester 1 & 2
Compulsory
This module is designed to enable students to consolidate and further advance the knowledge and skills acquired during the taught components of the programme, and gain experience working independently on an extended project through one of the following options: Research on a Translation or Interpreting Studies topic and a written dissertation An extended translation with an analytical commentary or an interpreting simulation with an analytical commentary A work placement of at least 150 hours accompanied by a critical report. If taking this option, it is the responsibility of students to find a professional placement approved by CTS (this includes volunteer translation and a range of ad hoc language-industry activities carried out during the academic year). CTS will support students in finding a placement through professional engagement portfolios, invited seminar talks and a dedicated language industries careers fair. A practical skills-enhancement programme of 60 hours or equivalent and a written report. If taking this option, the skills-enhancement programme can be either run by CTS (subject to availability and demand) or external. If external (e.g. a summer school run by another organization), the programme must be approved by CTS in advance
View full module detailsOptional modules for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
In Semester 1 students must choose one optional module from a choice of three optional modules
Year 1
Semester 1
Compulsory
This module provides students with a systematic framework for understanding key concepts in Translation and Interpreting Studies and how they relate and apply to the rest of the programme and to everyday professional practice. The module enables students to confront a wide range of translation and interpreting challenges, from the lack of equivalence between languages and cultures to contemporary technological, ethical and societal issues affecting translation and interpreting practice, including the rapidly evolving use of machine translation and artificial intelligence (AI). The module equips students with both a solid grounding in the guiding principles of translation and interpreting, derived from scholarly engagement with the discipline, and the strategies required to engage in best practices in the profession and future career development. Taking a holistic approach to translator and interpreter education, the module consists of lectures and seminars that discuss the main principles and challenges of translation and interpreting, and explore solutions in close alignment with other modules in the programme. Students complement lectures and seminars with practical exercises and independent reading.
View full module detailsThis module offers a learning-conducive environment where students self-analyse their own translations, identifying problems for improvement and resolving underlying issues that cause mistranslation in the English-into-Chinese language direction. Tutors with long-established professional activity in the field provide guidance that helps students uncover translation issues and challenges and resolve problems. All translation documents used in class are culled from authentic translation assignments and realistic scenarios. Students apply the skills and techniques gained in their practical translation module in the programme and work on weekly assignments followed by self-analysis and tutor feedback. Through a range of exercise and simulations, students engage with regular, practical translation tasks in which they are encouraged to both translate different types of texts as well as reflect critically on the principles and challenges of English-Chinese translation.
View full module detailsThis module provides two internally connected components. Firstly, it provides students with detailed methodological procedures and specific guidance of solving problems related to the translation of words, expressions and sentences from English into Chinese. This part focuses on the grammatical differences between English and Chinese languages from the lexical and syntactic levels, and how such differences impact translation of words, expressions and sentences from English into Chinese. Specific techniques of translation will be explained and illustrated with hand-picked examples, enabling students to confront a wide range of challenges of translating words and sentences caused by the lack of equivalence between English and Chinese languages and cultures. Secondly, the module introduces students to the practices and techniques of translating different types of texts from English to Chinese as carried out in authentic settings, e.g. translating for corporates, governments, technical companies, etc. This module focuses on preparing students for professional translation work through linguistic, conceptual and terminological research practice and producing documents to professional specifications.
View full module detailsOptional
This module is an introduction to the practice of translation with the support of the most advanced technologies available, focusing on the demand for translators to possess expert skills to be in command of their performance and in control of the outputs of their work. The module is informed by the evolution of requirements of professional translation, namely under the influence of advanced technologies like machine translation. The focus of the module is on the interaction between translators and the computer tools that they use.
View full module detailsThe purpose of this module is to develop problem-solving skills, enabling students to acquire basic and intermediate concepts of computer science and programming, and to learn how to apply them to problems related to translation-related tasks such as glossary creation, error analysis, automatic substitution. Topics to be covered include computational thinking, basic programming concepts such as fundamental data types, control structures, as well as practical examples how this knowledge can be applied for extracting statistics from corpora, cleaning translation memories and preparing data for experiments and analyse the results. Students will be taught different prompting techniques which allows them to interact with Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT to solve problems. Students will learn how to analyse a problem, design solutions and implement them in a chosen programming language with the help of LMMs. The programming language to be used in this module is Python. Students will learn not only how to implement solutions in Python, but they will also gain the skills to analyse the responses from LLMs existing pieces of code and understand how to adapt them for their needs. Practical sessions will give participants hands-on experience in LLM prompting and writing Python programs individually and in teams. The practical sessions will greatly enhance students’ problem-solving skills and resourcefulness. The module is intended for students who have no programming experience, but students with programming background interested in learning Python and how it can be used in the area of translation technology will also benefit from it.
View full module detailsThis module focuses on the intricate relationship between writing and translation through the practicalities of text production within a broad writing context (i.e. from fiction prose to technical text production), with a view to making translators aware of the basic elements required to create an effective text. It will combine weekly theoretical lectures with workshops to read and discuss students' work as well as rewriting and revising techniques.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
This module introduces students to the key critical considerations and creative and technical decisions faced by translators of works in the cultural/creative industries, such as the film, theatre, creative or publishing industries. By focusing on the repertoires and creative decisions that such translation entails, the definition of ‘translation’ will be examined rather broadly, namely, both as a form of interlingual transfer and as a creative platform for (re)writing texts. Examples are offered from the areas of advertising, cultural heritage, tourism, performance (drama translation) and entertainment/art (children’s literature, comic books, films). The module is suitable for students with different language backgrounds and it offers a creative practical component as well as insights into how the creative industries work.
View full module detailsThis module builds on the work of the Translation Analysis I module, but in the reverse language direction. By extending the approach of problem-solving in the Chinese-into-English direction, the module focuses on a different configuration of linguistic competence and language technology resources. As in Translation Analysis I, students self-analyse their own translations, identifying problems for improvement and resolving underlying issues that cause mistranslation. Tutors with long-established professional activity in the field provide guidance that helps students uncover translation issues and challenges and resolve problems. All translation documents used in class are culled from authentic translation assignments and realistic scenarios. Students apply the skills and techniques gained in their practical translation module in the programme and work on weekly assignments followed by self-analysis and tutor feedback. Through a range of exercise and simulations, students engage with regular, practical translation tasks in which they are encouraged to both translate different types of texts as well as reflect critically on the principles and challenges of Chinese-English translation.
View full module detailsThis module builds on the work of the Translation Workshop I module by focusing on units of translation in the reverse language direction. By extending the approach of problem-solving in the Chinese-into-English direction, the module allows students to exercise their attention to detail and to make strategic use of different digital and AI-powered resources. Going beyond the typical language transfer scenario allows them to build confidence when deploying the above resources and when delivering text output for English-speaking clients. As in Translation Workshop I, the module provides two internally connected components. Firstly, it provides students with detailed methodological procedures and specific guidance of solving problems related to the translation of words, expressions and sentences from Chinese into English. This part focuses on the grammatical differences between Chinese and English languages from the lexical and syntactic levels, and how such differences impact translation of words, expressions and sentences from Chinese into English. Specific techniques of translation will be explained and illustrated with hand-picked examples, enabling students to confront a wide range of challenges of translating words and sentences caused by the lack of equivalence between Chinese and English languages and cultures. Secondly, the module introduces students to the practices and techniques of translating different types of texts from Chinese to English as carried out in authentic settings, e.g. translating for corporates, governments, technical companies, etc. This module focuses on preparing students for professional translation work through linguistic, conceptual and terminological research practice and producing documents to professional specifications.
View full module detailsOptional
Students taking this module explore the main theoretical and practical aspects of smart technologies for translation, with emphasis on how the latest developments in Natural Language Processing, Large Language Models (e.g. ChatGPT) and Corpus Linguistics can to help translators. The purpose of this module is to enable students to understand the challenges faced when using computers artificial intelligence to process text automatically or when they need to process speech as an input. The focus is on enhancing students’ digital capabilities, especially those linked to the translation industry. The module will provide students with knowledge about the fields of Machine Translation (MT), Natural Language Processing (NLP), Large Language Models (LLMs) and Corpus Linguistics (CL). The module will start with an introduction to NLP and machine translation and will present different paradigms to produce automatic translations. Students will be provided with hands-on experience on how to train translation engines, and how it is possible to evaluate MT, as well as how to use LLMs for translation related tasks. . Other topics such as terminology extraction, speech recognition and translation will also be covered. The students will learn how to harvest relevant corpora from the web, clean them and use them for translation-related tasks.The practical tasks addressed in the module will improve students’ problem-solving skills and contribute to their future career development. Knowledge of programming will not be necessary, but students who have a programming background will be given the opportunity to use this knowledge in the module. Links will be established with other modules such as TRAM500 and TRAM496.
View full module detailsSemester 1 & 2
Compulsory
This module is designed to enable students to consolidate and further advance the knowledge and skills acquired during the taught components of the programme, and gain experience working independently on an extended project through one of the following options: Research on a Translation or Interpreting Studies topic and a written dissertation An extended translation with an analytical commentary or an interpreting simulation with an analytical commentary A work placement of at least 150 hours accompanied by a critical report. If taking this option, it is the responsibility of students to find a professional placement approved by CTS (this includes volunteer translation and a range of ad hoc language-industry activities carried out during the academic year). CTS will support students in finding a placement through professional engagement portfolios, invited seminar talks and a dedicated language industries careers fair. A practical skills-enhancement programme of 60 hours or equivalent and a written report. If taking this option, the skills-enhancement programme can be either run by CTS (subject to availability and demand) or external. If external (e.g. a summer school run by another organization), the programme must be approved by CTS in advance
View full module detailsOptional modules for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
In Semester 1 students must choose one optional module from a choice of three optional modules
General course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester.
Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. The part-time timetable is based on the full-time one, so classes will run on any teaching day.
Translation Studies seminars take place on Wednesday afternoons – attendance is optional, but strongly encouraged.
Please note that as our practice-based classes are normally provided by professional translators or interpreters and we may sometimes have to reschedule classes to accommodate professional commitments.
View our code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF).
Location
Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
There is a growing demand for novel modes of translation and multilingual language services that our MA Translation and AI (Chinese pathway) students are specifically prepared for.
The course’s work placement dissertation option enables you to gain professional experience and nurture a close relationship with a prospective employer. We are regularly contacted by stakeholders from the language services industry wishing to recruit Surrey MA Translation and AI (Chinese pathway) students and recent graduates.
Job opportunities include:
- Working as in-house and freelance translators
- Multilingual content writers
- Language-services managers
- Localisation specialists
- Terminology specialists
- Transcreation specialists
- Language and translation tutors.
Recent Surrey graduates have pursued careers at international organisations, government bodies and the private sector, as well as developing successful freelance ventures. A few of our MA students carry on studying for a PhD, which will open doors for them to embrace an academic career.
As a student, you will have classes in our dedicated language-software computer labs. You will work hands-on with state-of-the-art tools such as:
Luna Sun
Student - Interpreting (Chinese Pathway) MA
"The University of Surrey demonstrates a strong commitment to inclusivity and support for minority groups on campus. I was particularly impressed by an inclusive meeting that aimed to gather suggestions and advice regarding our students' needs."
Zhaoyun Wu
Graduate - Interpreting (Chinese Pathway) MA
"I was fortunate to engage in several translation practices, receiving training in professional translation that immersed me in authentic language service scenarios".
UK qualifications
Degree (2:2 and above) in an arts, humanities or social science (e.g. economics, management, tourism and hospitality management) subject. Alternative subjects will be considered by the Faculty on a case-by-case basis.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: You will require a 6.5 overall, with 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in all other elements. Alternatively, if you have successfully been awarded the Certificate of Excellence offered by our partner, KL Communications, and had an IELTS of 6.0 overall with 6.0 in each category before you took this course, and this IELTS will still be valid for the start of the MA, then you will not need to take another IELTS.
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
International Pre-Masters
Prepare for postgraduate study and boost your career prospects. This is an intensive programme of academic subjects, study skills and English language preparation designed to help you succeed.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of ways.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning process may mean you can join a course without the formal entry requirements, or at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please contact the Admissions team with any queries.
Scholarships and bursaries
Discover what scholarships and bursaries are available to support your studies.
Fees per year
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate courses.
September 2025 - Full-time - 1 year
- UK
- £10,900
- Overseas
- £21,800
- These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2025-26 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually.
Payment schedule
- Students with Tuition Fee Loan: the Student Loans Company pay fees in line with their schedule (students on an unstructured self-paced part-time course are not eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan).
- Students without a Tuition Fee Loan: pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be October/November of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
- Students on part-time programmes where fees are paid on a modular basis: cannot pay fees by instalment.
- Sponsored students: must provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of study.
The exact date(s) will be on invoices.
Funding
You may be able to borrow money to help pay your tuition fees and support you with your living costs. Find out more about postgraduate student finance.
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Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
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Once you apply, you can expect to hear back from us within 14 days. This might be with a decision on your application or with a request for further information.
Our code of practice for postgraduate admissions policy explains how the Admissions team considers applications and admits students. Read our postgraduate applicant guidance for more information on applying.
About the University of Surrey
Need more information?
Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions in two stages:
- First when we make an offer.
- Second when students accept their offer and register to study with us (registration terms and conditions will vary depending on your course and academic year).
View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.