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Translation and AI at University of Surrey - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 20262026 - 2027
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

Why choose this course

  • As language AI continues to advance, specialised skills such as translation remain essential. While AI tools can assist translators, they lack the nuanced understanding required for high-quality translation in demanding professional contexts.
  • This course equips you to understand both the benefits and risks of current and emerging technologies, while helping you to identify and develop the critical linguistic skills that will be vital in a future with AI.
  • With a strong practical component, our course is designed to meet the true needs of the professional language and translation market, enabling you to develop a future-ready CV as you study.
  • As a UK centre of excellence in translation studies, supported by the Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI, all teaching in Surrey’s Centre for Translation Studies (CTS) is guided by our leading research on integrating tried-and-tested professional translation practices with cutting-edge technologies, especially AI.
  • You will gain hands-on experience with a range of language technologies, including neural machine translation and generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT). You will also develop practical skills in post-editing and prompt writing—used daily by top translators and language professionals worldwide.
  • We support internships and professional development activities, enabling you to collaborate with language service providers and build a professional engagement portfolio that you can present to future employers.
What you will study Our MA Translation and AI course has both a multilingual and a Chinese pathway. On this multilingual pathway we offer several languages, available on request. You will develop professional translation skills to produce contextually accurate, culturally appropriate, and stylistically consistent translations. Guided by professional translators and experienced academics, you will explore different specialisms (e.g., business, legal, scientific, technical and medical domains), while building robust foundations in the linguistic, cognitive, quality-related, social and ethical dimensions of translation. You will also learn to understand, discuss and justify your translation decisions. Uniquely, our course places emphasises on the use of cutting-edge tools to enhance your practice, including computer-assisted translation, corpus linguistics software for translation, neural machine translation and generative AI. With the Centre for Translation Studies (CTS)’ outstanding research track record in translation technologies, you will gain a critical understanding of the role of AI in today’s language services industry, empowering you to integrate these tools effectively and responsibly in your translation practice. Optional modules focusing on the creative, business, technological and research dimensions of translation enable you to customise your learning according to your own strengths, personal interests and career ambitions. You will also have opportunities to gain industry experience through work placements. Our flexible dissertation options enable you to choose from: 1. A research-based dissertation on a specific translation topic 2. An extended translation project accompanied by a reflective analytical commentary 3. A critical report based on a language-industry work placement, or a skills-enhancement activity (such as a summer school or similar). During the course, academic and professional excellence will be rewarded with the following prizes:
  • RWS Campus Top Student Award (two Trados licenses)
  • Project management training (one free-of-charge place in the Pro PM Training and Certification Programme)
  • Professional Engagement Portfolio Prize
  • Best Performance in Translation Prize.

Modules

To see the full range of modules for this course please visit our website – the link is under the Course contact details. You will also find full details of the programme, including programme structure and Graduate prospects etc.

How to apply

International applicants

We are proud to be one of the most culturally diverse universities in the UK, with more than 140 nationalities playing a role in university life. Our International Recruitment team are here to help you throughout the application process – from advising on choosing the right course to applying for a visa and preparing for your first few weeks at Surrey. You can contact them via [email protected] Applicants who require a Student Visa to study in the UK: To apply for a Student Visa, you must have a Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) for the University you wish to study at. This is a unique number which will enable you to apply for your visa. The University is under no legal obligation to sponsor any individual and exercises caution with respect to issuing a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to avoid risking its status as a Student sponsor. Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS) will be issued in accordance with the Student Route and CAS Issuing Policy, available at: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/apply/policies

Entry requirements

If you are a native English speaker, we require a minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree in one of the languages listed below or in a related subject taught in one of these languages. Native speakers of a relevant language (from the list below) require a degree in an arts, humanities or social science (e.g. economics, management, tourism and hospitality management) subject. Alternative subjects will be considered by the Faculty on a case-by-case basis. Relevant work experience to be considered by the Faculty on a case-by-case basis. The languages available in the programme (subject to demand) are: Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Greek, Italian, Korean, Polish, Norwegian, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish. Other languages may be available upon request. English language requirements IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in each other element.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

FEES: For current information regarding postgraduate fees, please visit the course page on our website. The link is under Course contact details. SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES: Discover how we may be able to support your postgraduate taught studies with a host of bursaries and scholarships directly from the University of Surrey and external providers: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/scholarships-and-bursaries?field_student_level_value[postgraduate]=postgraduate

Sponsorship information

The University of Surrey offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to support our students, please visit https://www.surrey.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/scholarships-and-bursaries for more details.

Translation and AI at University of Surrey - UCAS