Course overview

Description

This course provides students with specialised and advanced translation training. Students develop high proficiency and communication skills in their language pairs (English and Chinese, French, German, Italian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Portuguese, or Spanish). They critically assess the latest theories and practices of translation studies. They also develop a professional understanding of ethics and technology essential to the modern translator or researcher in translation studies. Students will have the opportunity to apply their studies during internships taken in Australia or the foreign country appropriate to their language pair.

Course title
Master of Translation Studies (coursework or coursework and dissertation)
Award abbreviation
MTransSt
Course code
12520
Course type
Master's degree by coursework or by coursework and dissertation
Status
Current / 2024
Administered by
Humanities
CRICOS code
079540G

Course details

Intake periods
Beginning of year and mid-year
Attendance type
Full- or part-time (Student visa holders should read Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 for more information.)
Credit points required
96
A standard full-time load is 24 points per semester.
Standard course duration
2 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising 72 points of taught units and 24 points of admission credit, as recognised and granted by the School
Maximum course duration
2 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising up to 96 points of taught study (see Rule 5 for further information)
Professional accreditation
Master of Translation Studies (coursework or coursework and dissertation) is accredited by: National Accreditation Authority of Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).
Time limit
5 years
Delivery mode
Multi-mode
Locations offered
UWA (Perth)
Domestic fee type
Commonwealth supported and/or HECS-HELP
Available to international students
Yes. For information on international student fees see 'Student Procedures: Fees'. (Enquiries: https://www.uwa.edu.au/askuwa)
Course Coordinator(s)
Dr Anna Gadd
Fees
Visit the fees calculator.

Enquiries and course advice

Course advice
Arts Student Office
6488 2091 / 6488 2853
[email protected]

Prospective students should see the Future Students website for details on admission requirements, intake periods, fees, availability to international students, careers information etc.

Specialisations

SP - CHNIN Chinese Interpreting
SP-ARAB Arabic
SP-CHNSE Chinese
SP-FRNCH French
SP-GRMAN German
SP-INDO Indonesian
SP-ITALN Italian
SP-JAPN Japanese
SP-KORE Korean
SP-PORT Portuguese
SP-SPAN Spanish

Course structure

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2
N/A
not available in 2024 – may be available in 2025 or 2026
NS
non-standard teaching period

All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.

The Master of Translation offers ten language specialisations. A Chinese Interpreting specialisation is also available to students in the Chinese specialisation in the second year of their degree.

Coursework only students undertaking the Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Italian, Arabic, Portuguese, or Spanish specialisation: take 6 points from Group A, 24 points from Group B, and 24 points from the relevant language specialisation.

Coursework only students undertaking the Chinese Interpreting specialisation: take 6 points from Group A, 24 points from the Chinese Specialisation, and 24 points from the Chinese Interpreting specialisation.

Coursework and dissertation students take 6 points from Group A, 24 points from Group C, and 24 points from the relevant language specialisation.

Students who have not completed a relevant Bachelor's degree as recognised by UWA must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points, as advised by UWA

Take all units (18 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1TRNS5001Histories and Theories of Translation StudiesNone24 hours
S2TRNS5002Interdisciplinary Translation StudiesNone24 hours
S1TRNS5011The Ethics of TranslationNone24 hours

Take as per Sequence Notes:

Group A
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1TRNS5003Corpus-based Translation StudiesNone26 contact hours (maybe face-to-face and/or via Zoom)
NSTRNS5004Technologies for the TranslatorNone26 hours

Take units as per Sequence Notes:

Group B
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1ASIA5001Key Debates in the Asian RegionNoneseminars at least 20 hours over 12 weeks
NSCOMM5200Digital Advocacy
Incompatibility
SOCS5200 Digital Advocacy (ID 6812)
up to 3 hours per teaching week
NSCOMM5605Issues in Contemporary Global JournalismNoneUp to 24 hours
NSCOMM5701Strategic Communications in a Digital EraNoneup to 24 hours
NSCOMM5702Digital Media: Theory and PracticeNonelectures: up to 1 hr per week. seminars: 2 hours per week for 6 weeks
S2ENGL4103Studies in Creative Writing
Prerequisites
Enrolment in HON-EGLST English and Literary Studies
or
Enrolment in
12520 Master of Translation Studies and permission from the unit coordinator
3 hours per week
S1, S2EURO4101Advanced Research Skills
Incompatibility
EURO7481 Honours Seminar 1 (European Studies).
GRMN4101 Advanced Research Skills.
ITAL4101 Advanced Research Skills.
FREN4101 Advanced Research Skills
seminars: 2 hours per week over 12 weeks
S1TRNS5003Corpus-based Translation StudiesNone26 contact hours (maybe face-to-face and/or via Zoom)
NSTRNS5004Technologies for the TranslatorNone26 hours
S1TRNS5006General Interpreting
Prerequisites
units to the value of 24 points in the Master of Translation Studies (12520)
24 hours
S2TRNS5007Translation Revision and Post-editing
Prerequisites
units to the value of 24 points in the Master of Translation Studies (12520)
24 hours
NS, S1, S2TRNS5111Translation Studies Professional Placement (12 points)
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
48 points Unit(s) 12520 Master of Translation Studies (ID 346) and prior approval
300 (including 240 workplace hours)

Take units as per Sequence Notes:

Group C
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1, S2EURO4101Advanced Research Skills
Incompatibility
EURO7481 Honours Seminar 1 (European Studies).
GRMN4101 Advanced Research Skills.
ITAL4101 Advanced Research Skills.
FREN4101 Advanced Research Skills
seminars: 2 hours per week over 12 weeks
S1, S2TRNS5020Translation Studies Dissertation 1
Prerequisites
units to the value of 48 points in the Master of Translation Studies (12520)
Co-requisites
EURO4101 Advanced Research Skills
S1, S2TRNS5021Translation Studies Dissertation 2
Prerequisites
units to the value of 48 points in the Master of Translation Studies (12520)
Co-requisites
TRNS5020 Translation Studies Dissertation 1
up to 24 hours
S1, S2TRNS5022Translation Studies Dissertation 3
Prerequisites
units to the value of 48 points in the Master of Translation Studies (12520)
Co-requisites
TRNS5021 Translation Studies Dissertation 2
Up to 24 hours

Arabic specialisation

Take all units (24 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1TRNS5908Translation Practice (Arabic) A (12 points)
Prerequisites
Native
or near-native speaker of Korean
36
S2TRNS5909Translation Practice (Arabic) B (12 points)
Prerequisites
Native
or near-native speaker of Korean
36

Chinese specialisation

Note: Students also interested in speaking translation (Interpreting) may switch from the Chinese Specialisation to the Interpreting (Chinese) Specialisation in their second year, provided they achieve a minimum WAM of 70% in their first year of studies (48 points). These prior studies will ensure students already possess the necessary linguistic and practical skills, as well as the theoretical knowledge of translation studies.

Take all units (24 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1TRNS5108Translation Practice (Chinese) A (12 points)
Prerequisites
Native
or near-native proficiency in (Mandarin) Chinese
36 hours per semester
S2TRNS5109Translation Practice (Chinese) B (12 points)
Prerequisites
Native
or near-native proficiency in (Mandarin) Chinese
36 hours

Chinese Interpreting specialisation

Note: Please note that the Chinese Interpretation specialisation is open to students in the language pair English-Chinese, provided they have completed 48 points of the Master of Translation studies and achieved a 70% WAM in those units. These prior studies will ensure students already possess the necessary linguistic and practical skills, as well as the theoretical knowledge of translation studies.

Take all units (24 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1TRNS5006General Interpreting
Prerequisites
units to the value of 24 points in the Master of Translation Studies (12520)
24 hours
N/ATRNS5501Interpreting Practice (Chinese) 1
Prerequisites
completion of 48 points in Translation Studies and a WAM of 70% in those units
2 hours per week for 10 weeks
N/ATRNS5502Interpreting Practice (Chinese) 2
Prerequisites
48 points in Translation Studies and a weighted average mark of 70 per cent in those units
2 hours per week for 10 weeks
N/ATRNS5503Interpreting Practice (Chinese) 3
Prerequisites
48 points in Translation Studies and a weighted average mark of 70 per cent in those units
2 hours per week for 10 weeks

French specialisation

Take all units (24 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1, S2EURO4003Advanced Cultural Studies
Prerequisites
Enroled in an honours course in French, German
or Italian
or Master of Translations Studies
or the approval of the unit coordinator.
Seminars: 2 hours per week for 10 weeks
S1, S2EURO4004Advanced Writing Skills
Prerequisites
Enroled in an honours course in French, German
or Italian
or the Master of Translation Studies
or the approval of the unit coordinator.
Seminars: 2 hours per week for 10 weeks
S1TRNS5508Specialised Translation 1: FrenchNone24 hours
S2TRNS5509Specialised Translation 2: FrenchNone24 hours

German specialisation

Take all units (24 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1TRNS5708Translation practice (German) A (12 points)None36 hours
S2TRNS5709Translation practice (German) B (12 points)None36 hours

Indonesian specialisation

Take all units (24 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1TRNS5208Translation Practice (Indonesian) A (12 points)
Prerequisites
Native
or near-native speaker of Indonesian
36
S2TRNS5209Translation Practice (Indonesian) B (12 points)
Prerequisites
Native
or near-native speaker of Indonesian
36

Italian specialisation

Take all units (24 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1TRNS5608Translation practice (Italian) A (12 points)None36 hours
S2TRNS5609Translation practice (Italian) B (12 points)None36 hours

Japanese specialisation

Take all units (24 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1TRNS5308Translation Practice (Japanese) A (12 points)
Prerequisites
Native
or near-native speaker of Japanese
36
S2TRNS5309Translation Practice (Japanese) B (12 points)
Prerequisites
Native
or near-native speaker of Japanese
36

Korean specialisation

Take all units (24 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
N/ATRNS5408Translation Practice (Korean) A (12 points)
Prerequisites
Native
or near-native speaker of Korean
36
S2TRNS5409Translation Practice (Korean) B (12 points)
Prerequisites
Native
or near-native speaker of Korean
36

Portuguese specialisation

Take all units (24 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1TRNS5808Translation Practice (Portuguese) A (12 points)
Prerequisites
Native
or near-native speaker of Korean
36
S2TRNS5809Translation Practice (Portuguese) B (12 points)
Prerequisites
Native
or near-native speaker of Korean
36

Spanish specialisation

Take all units (24 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1TRNS5018Translation Practice (Spanish) A (12 points)
Prerequisites
Native
or near-native speaker of Spanish
36
S2TRNS5019Translation Practice (Spanish) B (12 points)
Prerequisites
Native
or near-native speaker of Spanish
36

See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.

Rules

Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures

1.(1) The Student Rules apply to students in this course.

(2) The policy, policy statements and guidance documents and student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.

Academic Conduct Essentials and Communication and Research Skills modules

2.(1) A student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module) and the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module).

(2) A student must successfully complete the ACE module within the first teaching period of their enrolment. Failure to complete the module within this timeframe will result in the student's unit results from this teaching period being withheld. These results will continue to be withheld until students avail themselves of a subsequent opportunity to achieve a passing grade in the ACE module. In the event that students complete units in subsequent teaching periods without completing the ACE module, these results will similarly be withheld. Students will not be permitted to submit late review or appeal applications regarding results which have been withheld for this reason and which they were unable to access in the normally permitted review period.

English Language competency requirements

3. To be considered eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework.

Admission requirements

4. To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—

(a) a relevant bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;

and

(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in the Level 3 units of a relevant major;

and

(c) (i) demonstrated native or near-native proficiency in the chosen language specialisation; or

ii) for French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Arabic, and Spanish, B2/C1 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages or equivalent internationally recognised test; for Chinese, a minimum of HSK 4; for Japanese, Level N2/N3 at the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test); for Indonesian, Level 3 at the UKBI (UjianKemahiran Bahasa Indonesia) or Level 4 at the ISLPR (International Second Language Proficiency Ratings); and for Korean, Level 4 at the TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean).

Admission ranking and selection

5. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.

Articulations and exit awards

6.(1) The following courses form part of an articulated sequence:

  • 12220 Graduate Certificate in Translation Studies (24 points)
  • 12520 Master of Translation Studies (96 points)

(2) A student who withdraws from the Master of Translation Studies course before completing it, but after fulfilling the requirements of a lesser award in the above sequence, may apply for the relevant award.

Course structure

7.(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 96 points (maximum value) which includes conversion units to a value of 24 points, course core units and specialisation units. The course comprises the following specialisations :

  • SP - CHNIN Chinese Interpreting
  • SP-ARAB Arabic
  • SP-CHNSE Chinese
  • SP-FRNCH French
  • SP-GRMAN German
  • SP-INDO Indonesian
  • SP-ITALN Italian
  • SP-JAPN Japanese
  • SP-KORE Korean
  • SP-PORT Portuguese
  • SP-SPAN Spanish

(2) Units must be selected in accordance with the course structure, as set out in these rules.

(3) Students who have completed a bachelor's degree with a relevant major as recognized by the University are granted credit for conversion units up to a value of 24 points.

Satisfactory progress

8. To make satisfactory progress a student must pass units to a point value greater than half the total value of units in which they remain enrolled after the final date for withdrawal without academic penalty.

9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module) when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in Rule 8.

Progress status

10.(1) A student who makes satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 8 is assigned the status of 'Good Standing'.

(2) Unless the relevant board determines otherwise because of exceptional circumstances—

(a) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the first time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'On Probation';

(b) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the second time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Suspended';

(c) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the third time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded'.

11. A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 9 is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation', unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to meet other satisfactory progress requirements in Rule 8.

Award with distinction

12. To be awarded the degree with distinction a student must achieve a course weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 80 per cent which is calculated based on—

(a) all units above Level 3 attempted as part of the course that are awarded a final percentage mark;

(b) all relevant units above Level 3 undertaken in articulating courses of this University that are awarded a final percentage mark;

and

(c) all units above Level 3 completed at this University that are credited to the master's degree course.

Deferrals

13. Applicants awarded admission to the course are entitled to a deferral of up to 12 months, as per the University Policy on: Admissions (Coursework).

Additional rules
Credit

14. The Faculty may grant credit towards the course for units up to a total value of 48 points in the case of students who have completed a relevant Honours degree as recognised by the University.