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Professional Language and Intercultural Studies, MA

University of Leeds, the United Kingdom

University of Leeds

Study options for this course

The award How you will study Study duration Course start Domestic course fees International course fees
MAFull-time12 monthsSeptemberGBP 7250 per totalGBP 17500 per total
MAPart-time24 monthsSeptemberGBP 7250 per totalGBP 17500 per total

About Professional Language and Intercultural Studies, MA - at University of Leeds

This programme combines the study of social interaction between cultural groups including theoretical analysis of some of the thornier global questions which we currently face. This includes exploring the role modern languages play in shaping our identity, influencing social relations and affecting aspects of power.

You'll explore the ways in which cultural groups relate to each other and learn about the role that English plays in different contexts worldwide. But you'll also have the chance to develop skills in translation, or public speaking and written communication in English. You'll also focus on topics that suit your interests and aspirations, as you choose from optional modules across disciplines and geographies.

You could study screen translation, gender and equality in the workplace, language acquisition and Japanese business practice among many others. You could even study a foreign language. If you're looking for a career with an international dimension, this programme will allow you to develop the knowledge, cultural awareness and practical skills to succeed.

We're a truly international university, with over 30,000 students from more than 130 countries and a large, diverse team of leading researchers and practitioners.

Our students benefit from this stimulating learning environment while developing their skills in state-of-the-art facilities; as well as our world-class research library, you could practice translation in our Electronic Resource and Information Centre (ERIC), fully equipped with the latest software and translation tools. It's an excellent place to gain an insight into the relations between cultural groups while gaining valuable practical skills.

  • Course content

    In your first semester you'll explore key issues in intercultural studies and develop the skills for effective research. You'll also study the usage and role of English worldwide in different contexts.

    Beyond these core modules you'll shape the course of your studies. You'll choose from a variety of language-based modules, either developing your specialised translation skills or getting to grips English in professional contexts. You'll also then build on your knowledge by selecting optional modules from an impressive range, cutting across disciplines to suit your career plans and interests.

    By the end of the course in September, you'll be able to showcase your skills when you hand in your individual project or dissertation.

    If you study the programme part-time, you'll take fewer modules in each year and study over a longer period.

    If you want to study a Specialised Translation module, see our list of available language pairs.

    Course structure

    These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

    Year 1

    Compulsory modules

    • Skills and Issues in Intercultural Studies 30 credits
    • English in International Communication 30 credits

    Optional modules

    • Diversity Management 30 credits
    • Introduction to Screen Translation 15 credits
    • English for Translators 15 credits
    • Rhetoric and Public Speaking 15 credits
    • Managing Business Across Cultures 15 credits
    • Introduction to Interpreting Skills 15 credits
    • International Organisations: Context, Theory and Practice 15 credits
    • Literary Translation 15 credits
    • Writing for Professional Purposes 15 credits
    • Political Economy of the Pacific Rim 15 credits
    • Caribbean and Black British Writing 30 credits
    • Black Internationalism 30 credits
    • Pragmatics 30 credits
    • Second Language Acquisition 30 credits
    • Approaches to Linguistics and Language Acquisition 30 credits
    • Methodology in Language Teaching 15 credits
    • Language Teaching in Practice 15 credits
    • The Economics of China 15 credits
    • Gender and Equality at Work in Comparative Perspective 30 credits
    • Methods and Approaches in Translation Studies 30 credits
    • Specialised French-English Translation A 15 credits
    • Specialised German-English Translation A 15 credits
    • Specialised Italian-English Translation A 15 credits
    • Specialised Portuguese-English Translation A 15 credits
    • Specialised Russian-English Translation A 15 credits
    • Specialised Spanish-English Translation A 15 credits
    • Specialised English-Arabic Translation A 15 credits
    • Specialised French-English Translation B 15 credits
    • Specialised German-English Translation B 15 credits
    • Specialised Italian-English Translation B 15 credits
    • Specialised Portuguese-English Translation B 15 credits
    • Specialised Russian-English Translation B 15 credits
    • Specialised Spanish-English Translation B 15 credits
    • Specialised English-Arabic Translation B 15 credits
    • Specialised Arabic-English Translation 15 credits
    • Specialised English-Chinese Translation A 15 credits
    • Specialised Arabic-English Translation B 15 credits
    • Specialised English-Chinese Translation B 15 credits
    • Research Methods and Project for MAPLIS 30 credits
    • Research Methods and Dissertation for MAPLIS 60 credits
    • Specialised English-Japanese Translation A 15 credits
    • Specialised Chinese-English Translation A 15 credits
    • Specialised Japanese-English Translation A 15 credits
    • Specialised Chinese-English Translation B 15 credits
    • Specialised Japanese-English Translation B 15 credits
    • Specialised English-Japanese Translation B 15 credits
    • Africa in the Contemporary World 30 credits
    • Conflict, Complex Emergencies and Global Governance 30 credits
    • Democracy and Development 30 credits
    • Gender, Globalisation and Development 30 credits
    • Global Inequalities and Development 30 credits
    • Political Economy of Resources and Development 30 credits
    • The EU and the Developing World 30 credits
    • Contemporary Politics of the Middle East 30 credits
    • Political Transitions in South East Asia 30 credits
    • The Politics of the Israel-Palestine Conflict 30 credits
    • Insurgency 15 credits
    • International Political Economy 30 credits
    • International Politics and The Environment 15 credits
    • Terrorism 15 credits
    • Advanced Racism and Ethnicity Studies 30 credits
    • Globalization and International Social Change 30 credits
    • 'Race', Identity and Culture in the Black Atlantic 30 credits
    • Contemporary Issues in Religion and Gender 30 credits
    • Show more

    For more information on typical modules, read Professional Language and Intercultural Studies MA Full Time in the course catalogue

    Learning and teaching

    You'll be taught by leading researchers and practitioners in a variety of disciplines, depending on the modules you choose. As a result you'll experience a range of learning and teaching methods including lectures, seminars, practical classes and one-to-one tutorials among others.

    Assessment

    Assessment methods will vary as much as your choice of modules. They could include traditional exams and essays as well as reflective logs, problem-solving reports and group and individual presentations. Translation modules also use translation tests.

  • Applying, fees and funding

    Entry requirements

    A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (Hons) or equivalent qualification. You don't need to have any experience of Intercultural Studies, and equivalent professional experience will also be considered.

    We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information contact the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies admissions team.

    English language requirements

    IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in all components.. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

    Improve your English

    If English is not your first language, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course before you begin your studies. This can help if you:

    • don't meet the English language requirements for your course or
    • want to improve your understanding of academic language and practices in your area of study.

    Our pre-sessional courses are designed with a progression route to the degree programme and are tailored to the subject area. For information and entry requirements, read Language for Communication and Society (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Communication and Society (10 weeks).

    How to apply

    Application deadlines

    Home/EU: 4 September 2018

    International: 28 August 2018

    Early deadlines apply for those wishing to take Specialised Translation modules. To account for this, we recommend you submit your application and all supporting documents before 30 April 2018.

    It can take between four and six weeks to assess an application, so we advise you to apply as early as possible. Application deadlines for many scholarships are also much earlier than the application deadline, and you may need to leave time for arrangements such as visa applications or moving to Leeds.

    • Apply (Full time)
    • Apply (Part time)

    This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
     
    If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

    Documents and information you'll need

    • Transcripts of your degree and other relevant qualifications, or a partial transcript if you're still studying
    • We do not generally request references, unless further information is required to support the assessment of your application
    • Evidence of your English language qualifications if English isn't your first language
    • A personal statement of around 500 words explaining why you want to study this programme, how it will benefit your career and why you want to study the programme at Leeds in particular.
    • If you wish to take one or more Specialised Translation modules, you should submit a translation test for the language pair/pairs you are interested in.

    Download translation tests

    Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

    Admissions policy

    School of Languages, Cultures and Societies Taught Postgraduate Admissions Policy

    Fees

    UK/EU: £7,250 (total)

    International: £17,500 (total)

    Read more about paying fees and charges.

    For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

    Part-time fees are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.

    Additional cost information

    There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs

    Scholarships and financial support

    If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

  • Career opportunities

    This programme is designed for students who want to develop careers with an international dimension, such as working in multinational corporations, commerce, market research, tourism, the diplomatic service or non-governmental organisations. A postgraduate qualification will also equip you with advanced skills in research, analysis and written and oral communication which will always hold value among employers in a range of industries.

    Others have gone into education, or built on their language skills with further training in areas such as translation or interpreting. Many have also pursued further studies, either in Intercultural Studies or related fields.


    Careers support

    We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That's one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

    The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

  • Related courses

    Applied Translation Studies MA
    Arabic/English Translation MA
    Audiovisual Translation Studies MA
    Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies MA
    Conference Interpreting and Translation Studies MA
  • Entry requirements

    A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons)

    Language requirements
    IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in all components.

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