Course summary
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. You will be taught in lectures, seminars and workshops by experts from Bristol's School of Modern Languages and Faculty of Arts, Law, and Social Sciences. You will have access to the lively environment within the School where translators, interpreters and professionals with distinct skills and expertise contribute to a culture of shared learning and practice across our postgraduate programmes.
Assessment method
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/media/postgraduate/admissions-statements/2026/ma-translation-and-intercultural-studies.pdf
How to apply
International applicants
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students and accepts a wide range of qualifications for postgraduate study. If you study or have studied at a university outside the UK, please select the relevant page for further information on qualifications, scholarships and education representatives in your country/region: bristol.ac.uk/international/countries
Entry requirements
You will typically need an upper second class honours degree or an international equivalent in any discipline. Applicants need to demonstrate competency in a language other than English. A personal statement (maximum 750 words) must be uploaded which outlines relevant experience in a language other than English. This may include formal study of languages as well as informal or experiential knowledge of languages gained through work, family, or personal circumstances. We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If your achieved grade is lower than our entry requirements, your application may be more likely to receive an offer if you have additional relevant work experience or qualifications. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing: - Evidence of relevant work experience (minimum of one year, paid or unpaid) in one of the following sectors: professional or significant volunteer experience translating, work within an international company or in a bilingual or multilingual context, professional language-related activity (eg, journalism, editing, lexicography/dictionary compilation, publishing, broadcasting), or teaching in modern languages. - A relevant postgraduate qualification. See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £13500 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £13500 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £13500 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £13500 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £13500 | Year 1 |
| EU | £33400 | Year 1 |
| International | £33400 | Year 1 |
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 are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
For more information, please view the programme page on our website.
Provider information
University of Bristol
Beacon House
Queen’s Road
Bristol
BS8 1QU