MA Translation and Intercultural Studies

University of Bristol

This interdisciplinary MA programme explores how humans communicate across linguistic, cultural, and societal difference. Crossing the fields of literary, media, technology, and accessibility studies, the programme allows you to develop deep disciplinary knowledge and skills alongside an ability to recognise the value of interdisciplinary approaches, and to use them to design your own research projects. A balance of individual and group work, combined with feedback from lecturers and peers, will allow you to grow in confidence as a transcultural thinker and communicator. You will express complex ideas in more than one language in an accessible and engaging manner, both verbally and in writing. The mandatory core units – Translation Practice and Analysis (Multilingual) Research Methods in Translation and Interdisciplinary Studies and Language, Ethics, and Communication – equip you with practical and critical-reflective skills in translation and intercultural studies. Optional units from across the School and Faculty provide you with additional opportunities for specialisation according to your interests. Indicative optional units are offered in areas such as film, literature, AI, video games, and museums. With programme approval, you may also pursue supervised independent study projects and/or independent placement opportunities with external organisations. The focus of the programme is on processes of translation, communication and intercultural exchange and not on the grammatical or stylistic norms of specific languages. The programme's multilingual format is intended to counteract power structures that favour a select group of the world's languages in terms of technological development and formal education. Linguistic diversity is therefore central to our mission. Proficient users of English and any other additional language will be able to join our multilingual classroom. Where relevant, assignments will be submitted with literal/interlinear translations. Subject to staff availability, those seeking feedback on the grammatical or stylistic conventions of a specific language could undertake an assessed translation project in the Supervised Independent Study unit, involving a combination of the languages taught in the School.