Audiovisual Translation and Localisation MA

Course overview

The audiovisual market continues to grow as more platforms introduce streaming services to provide motion pictures and entertainment. Videos are consistently supplementing or even replacing text in training, marketing content and websites.

As a result of this growth, the demand for localisation and accessibility has also increased. This means that the audiovisual and localisation industry is in need of professionals capable of providing not just subtitling, dubbing, and voice over services in as many foreign languages as possible; but also subtitles for the deaf and the hard of hearing, audio descriptions for blind and partially-sighted people, and live subtitles for people with difficulties accessing the content of a speech.

Working in audiovisual translation and media localisation is an exciting career that requires excellent knowledge of foreign languages, intercultural communication, translation and localisation technology, terminology and project management, as well as an excellent knowledge of the industry.

The MA in Audiovisual Translation and Localisation at Leeds will prepare you in all these areas and in your language combination, increasing your confidence and career prospects.

Core modules will introduce you to essential concepts in translation theory, audiovisual translation, accessibility, localisation, project management, and computer-assisted translation. You’ll also benefit from hands-on practice in our specialised IT labs throughout the year. You’ll work with professionals, using industry-standard software whilst developing specialised skills through individual assignments and team projects with simulated real-life scenarios.

You’ll also be able to study modules informed by research taking place at our Centre for Translation and Interpreting Studies on topics such as machine translation, multimodality, corpus linguistics, interpreting, genre analysis, and others.

As a proud member of the international association of translation and interpretation university institutes (CIUTI), the European Language Industry Association (ELIA), the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), and the Globalization and Localization Association (GALA) the Centre for Translation and Interpreting Studies also maintains privileged collaboration with several UN and EU bodies, as well as national and international companies, institutions and NGOs.

You’ll work between English and one or two other languages, including Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons). We welcome applicants from a diverse range of subject disciplines. Other relevant qualifications or experience may also be considered, such as professional/work/voluntary experience. Applicants will undertake translation tests in their chosen language/s.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in all components. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Career opportunities

A postgraduate qualification in Audiovisual Translation and Localisation will equip you with valuable practical skills, underpinned by a solid theoretical foundation. You’ll also develop advanced skills in IT, research, communication and analysis that are very valuable to employers.

Because the demand for skilled audiovisual translators is increasing, many of our students start working in the field before graduating. They go straight into practice with their project management or translation skills, whether they work in large organisations, small or medium-sized language service providers, or as freelance audiovisual translators. Others pursue related careers in language services in organisations such as the UN and affiliated organisations, the European Parliament and the European Commission, commercial enterprises and NGOs.