MA Monolingual Subtitling and Audio Description

Native English speakers: a minimum of a UK 2.2 honours degree in English, modern languages, journalism, applied linguistics or similar subject. Speakers of other languages: an equivalent to a minimum of a UK 2.2 honours degree in English or another relevant subject. In exceptional cases, alternative qualifications and professional experience may be considered. Non-native speakers of English without a first degree in English that has been taught and assessed in English also have to meet the English language requirements specified for this programme.

English language requirements

IELTS minimum overall: 6.5

IELTS minimum by component: Reading: 6.0
Writing: 7.0
Speaking: 6.0
Listening: 6.0

All fees are subject to increase or review for subsequent academic years. Please note that not all visa routes permit part-time study and overseas students entering the UK on a Tier 4 visa will not be permitted to study on a part-time basis.

Compulsory modules include:

• Intralingual Audiovisual Translation (Subtitling for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing)
• Audio Description

Optional modules normally include:

• Interlingual Subtitling
• Economics/Business Translation
• Scientific/Technical Translation
• Creative Writing and Professional Practice
• Ab initio Language for Translation Purposes
• Translation of Persuasive Texts
• Translating Cultures

Compulsory modules

Intralingual Audiovisual Translation (Subtitling for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing: SDH)

In this module, you will learn how to produce intralingual subtitles in order to meet the needs of SDH viewers. The focus will be on acquiring skills for analysing the various components of audiovisual materials (speech, sound, text), developing strategies for transferring audio information to written form and learning to create subtitle files using professional subtitling software.

Audio Description (AD)

In audio description, additional narrative is inserted in films, TV programmes or theatre performances to describe actions, body language and other essential details, in order to increase the comprehension and enjoyment of audiovisual contents for blind and partially sighted people. In this module, you will learn how to produce effective audio descriptions, using professional AD software.

Audiovisual Translation Issues

In this module, you will learn about the various forms of audiovisual translation such as subtitling, dubbing, voice-over and audio description, their development, their major challenges, as well as their overall relationship to translation.

Applied Linguistic Principles

Drawing on pragmatic models of communication, this module will help you to develop an understanding of how verbal language and other modes of communication are used for the creation and comprehension of meaning.

Dissertation

You will have the opportunity to specialise in an aspect of the programme by writing a topic-based dissertation, or by doing a subtitling/audio description project with commentary. Successful completion of the module requires close collaboration with a supervisor and good planning and organisation skills.

Optional Modules

In addition to the compulsory modules, you will be able to select optional modules according to your specific interests. You can complement your skills in paper translation or audiovisual translation or you may learn a new language for translation purposes. Alternatively, you can take an option on creative writing (subject to availability) or explore issues of creativity in other areas, such as advertising.

There is no professional accreditation body for audiovisual translation. However, students may join the European Association for Studies in Screen Translation.