Master of Translation (MC-TRANS)
Masters (Coursework)Year: 2021 Delivered: On Campus
About this course
Contact
Chinese Translation
Ester Leung
Spanish Translation
Anthony Pym
Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Currently enrolled students:
- Contact Stop 1
- General information: https://ask.unimelb.edu.au
Future students:
- Further information: http://graduate.arts.unimelb.edu.au/
- Contact: 'Make an enquiry' at http://graduate.arts.unimelb.edu.au/degrees/45-master-of-translation
Overview
| Award title | Master of Translation |
|---|---|
| Year & campus | 2021 |
| CRICOS code | 085106J |
| Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
| Study level & type | Graduate Coursework |
| AQF level | 9 |
| Credit points | 150 credit points |
| Duration | 18 months full-time or 36 months part-time |
The Master of Translation program is no longer accepting applications from 2021, as it has been replaced by the Master of Translation and Interpreting.
The Master of Translation prepares the highly skilled professionals who will mediate Australia's international relations over the coming decades. The Master of Translation is aimed at language-English bilinguals who intend to work as professional translators or in professional roles that demand high level translation and inter-cultural skills. Graduates may work in fields such as government, commerce, law, international relations, or specialized technical areas. The Master of Translation is notable for its access to the intellectual resources of Australia’s No.1 university, and in particular the Asia Institute and the School of Languages and Linguistics.
The Master of Translation focusses on written translation between English and a specific language and vice-versa. Participants will develop professional competence in translating specialised topics, managing terminology, using translation technologies, and negotiating the cultural and intellectual boundaries of the English-speaking world. Practical learning is underpinned by study of theories of translation. Preparation for professional practice is provided by an internship.
Study methods include intensive small group sessions, autonomous study through learning technologies, and placement in a professional translation environment.
It is planned that the course will be further developed to offer other Asian and European language combinations.
The 150-point Master of Translation includes the option to choose one or two electives from the broad field of culture and communication, allowing participants to strengthen their foundation knowledge and skills.
The Master of Translation is endorsed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd (NAATI).
Entry requirements
1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have:
- an undergraduate degree in any discipline with at least an H2B (70%) weighted average; and
- native speaker competence in one of English or either Chinese or Spanish (depending on the specialisation concerned) and at least near-native competence in the other language
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
- prior academic performance;
- relevance of previous studies.
3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.
4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university's English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by on of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.
Please note: Credentials for language competence will be determined by the course coordinator/selection committee, and may include prior study, tests, and interviews. “Native speaker” is broadly defined here as a person who has spoken the language from birth and has had the majority of their education in that language.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005) and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF127). For the purposes of considering requests for reasonable adjustments, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the overview, attributes, outcomes and skills of this entry. Further details about how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who complete this course will be able to:
- successfully translate texts, taking into consideration the major theories underpinning the practice of translation;
- successfully apply strategies for translating different types of text, varying in register, style and domain;
- critically understand the cultural and intellectual foundations of the cultures being related through translation;
- utilise the range of technologies applied to translation;
- work in team-based and project-based work environments;
- produce high-quality translations that demonstrate the integration and application of theory and technical skills. This will be achieved by planning and executing an internship capstone experience that brings together theory, technical skills and interpersonal competence, as well as professional practice, judgment and decision-making;
- demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills to plan and execute a substantial research-based project;
- translate to publication-quality in selected specialised genres, including managing terminology and accessing research tools; and
- demonstrate an informed understanding of recent developments in the discipline of Translation Studies or its professional practice.
Generic skills
The generic skills that students who complete this course should develop are:
- the ability to communicate effectively;
- the ability convey information appropriately and accurately; and
- the ability to apply knowledge in practice, research skills development.
Graduate attributes
The Melbourne Experience enables graduates to become:
- Knowledgeable in their specialist discipline with skills to examine issues with multiple disciplinary perspectives;
- Aware of social and cultural diversity in communities; and
- Potential leaders in their professions and their communities.
Please see http://provost.unimelb.edu.au/teaching-learning for further information.
Course structure
150 Point Program
Duration: 1.5 years full time
- eight compulsory subjects (100 points)
- core subjects (25 points)
- elective subjects (25 points)
Capstone Requirement:
All students are required to complete one of the Capstone Requirements for the program (25 points).
Capstone Stream 1: TRAN90010 Translation Internship
Purpose: Translation Internship is a 25-point subject where participants are placed in a professional translation environment. They will work on individual and team-based translation projects that require them to integrate their linguistic, technical and collaborative skills, and to experience the variety of roles in professional translation such as commissioner, editor and reviser.
Capstone Stream 2: TRAN90022 Translation Industry Project (12.5 points) and TRAN90021 Translation and Communication (12.5 points)
Purpose: To enhance career-readiness and employability by equipping students with the ability to apply theory to practice. Whereas “Translation and Communication” addresses the issue of translators and interpreters being intercultural fascinators and mediators in a workplace, “Translation Industry Project” offers students an opportunity to undertake real-life translation projects assigned by industry partners.
External Subject Rule
Student may undertake an external subject (not listed within the program structure) with the permission of the program and subject coordinator. All external subject requests must be for the elective subject requirement, not as a compulsory, core or capstone subject. The maximum external subjects allowed are as follows:
- 200 point program undertaken at University of Melbourne (2 years): maximum 25 points.
- 150 point program undertaken at University of Melbourne (1.5 years): maximum 12.5 points.
- 100* point program undertaken at University of Melbourne (1 year): 12.5 points
- 50*^ point program undertaken at University of Melbourne (0.5 years): 0 points.
* GC-ARTS, GD-ARTS, GCA-ARTS and GDA-ARTS students are not normally granted permission to undertake external subjects towards their degree.
^ Exception: Students admitted to 50 point programs may apply to take LING90002, Presenting Academic Discourse, as an external subject.
Please note that advanced standing contributes to a student’s remaining points undertaken at University of Melbourne, and may affect how many points the student can undertake outside the enrolled program.
For policies that govern this degree, see the Courses, Subjects, Awards and Programs Policy in the University Melbourne Policy Library. Students also should also refer to information in the Enrolment and Timetabling Policy.
Majors, minors & specialisations
| Name | Credit Points |
|---|---|
| Chinese Translation | 150 |
| Spanish Translation | 150 |
Further study
Students who successfully complete the Master of Translation program may be eligible for entry into other Masters by Coursework programs.
The Master of Translation program is usually undertaken full time; however applications for part-time study may be considered for students who are admitted into the program and are unable to maintain full time study due to special circumstances.
Please note that the Spanish Translation specialisation does not allow midyear entry.
Last updated: 20 April 2025