Introduction
Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, information about courses starting in September 2021 may be subject to change. We continue to improve your teaching and learning experience so you gain skills and understanding which are valuable to you and sought after by employers.
Before you apply for a course, please check the website for the most recently published course detail. If you apply to the University of Bath, you will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
Equip yourself to work as a proficient Chinese-English translator and business interpreter on this master's course.
Our MA Translation with Business Interpreting (Chinese) is a highly competitive master's, ideal for those with an interest and aptitude for translation or business interpreting.
You may be working already as a translator and interpreter in mainland China, Taiwan, the UK or elsewhere, or looking to establish yourself with the specialist skills needed to excel in this profession.
The focus of the course is on written translation from English to Chinese and Chinese to English, as well as business interpreting between English and Chinese. In particular, you'll develop translation and interpreting skills suited to working in business and tailored to market needs in mainland China, Taiwan, the UK and other regions.
The course is highly practical so you'll have plenty of opportunities to hone and develop your skills. You will:
gain extensive experience in translating a wide range of texts, from general business communications to specialist and technical materials
take part in weekly simulated 'real-life' business liaison scenarios to enhance your interpreting and negotiation capabilities
gain practical experience in translation management software
develop sought-after and important business skills such as editing and proofreading
gain useful insights into marketing yourself as a freelance translator and interpreter
Learning and teaching
Our teaching is highly regarded. You will be taught by experienced tutors who have worked as professional translators and/or interpreters; many have interpreted for heads of state and government ministers and work for global organisations such as the EU and UN. As such, they can share a wealth of experience with you and provide useful connections to help with potential job opportunities and internships.
We also regularly arrange visits from representatives of the language services of international organisations, government departments and commercial enterprises, to give you insights into their working practices.
Training Opportunities
Through our extensive network of contacts, we try to organise some internal or external training or practical translation, editing or proofreading experience for students with the language services of international organisations, at the university or in the freelance market. These opportunities provide an invaluable insight into the work of professional linguists and are highly valued by employers. However, they are not compulsory or guaranteed.
Graduate prospects
The MA Translation with Business Interpreting is a highly vocational course that will equip you with a variety of transferable skills, including interpersonal, communication and organisational skills. Our graduates have used these skills to access a variety of professions, including interpreting, translation, editing, teaching, accounting and further study.
Our graduates have gone on to work for the following organisations:
Net-a-Porter (Product Editorial Team), London
Bank of China, Beijing
DS Avocats Law Firm, Beijing
SPD Silicon Valley Bank, Shanghai
RIFA Global Entertainment, China
Ernst & Young, Bristol & London
Menicon (Trilingual Coordinator)
We also have an extremely active alumni network and tight-knit community that shares career advice. This enables us to help with short-term interpreting and translation opportunities supported by recent graduates.
Course structure
This course lasts 1 year. It starts in September 2021 and ends in 2022. Welcome week starts on 27 September 2021.
Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
Compulsory course units
These compulsory units are currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new units.
Semester 1
Liaison interpreting for business (Chinese/English)
Chinese to English translation for business
English to Chinese translation for business
Proofreading, editing and management skills for translators and interpreters (Chinese)
Semester 2
Liaison interpreting for business (Chinese/English)
Chinese to English translation for business
English to Chinese translation for business
Advanced translation (Chinese)
Using technology in the translation industry (Chinese)
Summer
Extended translation project
Learning and assessment
Learning
Laboratory sessions
Lectures
Online resources
Practical sessions
Seminars
Tutorials
Workshops
Assessment
Coursework
Dissertation
Essay
Online assessment
Oral assessment
Seminar
Written examination
Professional accreditations
This course is recognised as forming part of professional bodies.
Through its university partnership scheme, the Chartered Institute of Linguists offers free membership to language students to support you on the pathway to professional success
Recognition of professional qualifications
As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).
The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.
‘The University of Bath is like Hogwarts for translators and interpreters.’
—
Yanan PuMA Translation with Business Interpreting (Chinese) (2017)
Entry requirements
British qualifications
You should have a bachelor’s honours degree or international equivalent, typically 2:1 or above.
To apply for this course, you should normally have mother tongue competence in Chinese or English. Applicants whose mother tongue is not any of these languages may be eligible on a case by case basis.
Please note you must meet the English language requirements before applying to this programme.
We may make an offer based on a lower grade if you can provide evidence of your suitability for the degree.
If your first language is not English but within the last 2 years you completed your degree in an English speaking country you may be exempt from our English language requirements.
English language requirements
You will normally need one of the following:
IELTS: 7.5 overall with no less than 7 in the writing component and no less than 6.5 in the speaking, listening and reading components
The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 73 with no less than 65 in the writing element and no less than 58 in the speaking, listening and reading elements
TOEFL IBT: 108 overall with a minimum of 27 in the writing component and a minimum of 24 in the speaking, listening and reading components
MA Translation with Business Interpreting (Chinese) from University of Bath on Vimeo.
Fees and funding
Home tuition fees: £10,000
Overseas tuition fees: £21,500
Extra costs
There is a one-off application fee of £50, payable during the online application process through the online store
There is a course deposit of £250 payable upon receipt of an offer of a place to study (offset against your course fees). You can pay this through the online store.
How to pay
Tuition fee loans
If you are studying a postgraduate course, you may be able to take out a loan for your tuition fees and living costs.
Scholarships and bursaries
You could be considered for a bursary or scholarship to help you study at Bath. You do not have to pay it back.
Other payment options
You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card, cheque, bank transfer or cash. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.
Budgeting
As well as the cost of books, you will also need to cover the cost of scanning and photocopying. You should budget at least £100 for this.
Some courses involve engagement away from the University campus, and you may be required to pay some or all of the costs for these optional events.
