Do you have a passion for languages? And do you want to see how they can used to build an exciting and sustainable career outside traditional translation/interpreting?

We are proud to be the first university in the UK to offer an MA in localisation. This course has been designed specifically to help you develop the skills that are in high demand by the language service industry today.

What is localisation?

Localisation is the future for the translation industry. As products and services are increasingly offered globally, their content, instructions and interfaces need translating for local audiences. Every time you shop online with a global brand or use international software you are using localised content.

Where can localisation skills take me?

In the localisation industry there are many job titles (more than 50% of the industry) that most junior translators have never heard of. By the end of your course, these are some of the professions you will be able to consider:

• Localisation consultant
• Graphic localiser
• Software localiser
• Audio-video translator
• Translation reviewer
• Software tester
• Terminology specialist

Languages offered

You should be a native English speaker or have IELTS 7.0 in English. As well as English you will need significant proficiency in at least one of the following languages: Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish.

Modules

You will study four compulsory modules designed to introduce you to localisation and help you build the necessary skills to allow you to work in this field. These are:

• Introduction to Localisation – Understand the differences between traditional translation and localisation. Learn about localisation tools and how they are used in different settings.
• Translator’s Toolbox – Discover a variety of computer-assisted translation tools.
• Localisation in Practice – Practice your new skills in real-life localisation projects.
• Targeted Translation and Localisation Project – Complete a commercial localisation project and start to build your portfolio to share with future employers.

You will also be able to choose from a selection of optional modules:

• Practical Translation – Choose a category of translation from literary, non-fiction or film and develop a portfolio of translations in that area.
• English for Language Professionals – Non-native English speakers may wish to further improve their English language skills for a professional environment.
• Audio-visual Translation: Accessibility – Introduces you to the theory of accessibility practices and focusses on subtitling for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.
• Translating Texts – Explore the different areas of text translation and put your translation skills to work by producing your own translations.
• World Literatures, Texts and Contexts: Introduction to Comparative Literature – Study the discipline of comparative literature concentrating on the short story and other forms of short fiction.