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Literature and Creative Writing at UEA
Find out more about studying Literature and Creative Writing at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreMA Literary Translation (Part Time)
Key details
- Attendance
- Part Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2027
Course options
Other Start Dates
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UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research Quality
UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research QualityCourse Overview
Why MA Literary Translation (part-time) at UEA?
Join the UK’s longest-running part-time MA dedicated to Literary Translation. It’s launched the careers of many leading translators including Don Bartlett, Christina MacSweeney, and Rosalind Harvey.
Why choose UEA
- Creativity: Study translation as a creative practice, combining craft with your language expertise
- Explore forms: Work across diverse languages and forms, from prose and poetry to theatre and experimental texts
- Industry connections: Build networks through the British Centre for Literary Translation (BCLT), linking you with writers, publishers, and professionals
What is MA Literary Translation (part-time)?
Our course will help you launch your career as a literary translator, giving you confidence as a writer of literary translations who knows how to pitch translation projects to publishers. The lively programme of literary translations workshops run by UEA’s unique British Centre for Literary Translation (BCLT)(opens in a new window) – founded by W.G. Sebald – will give you the opportunity to learn the art of translation from leading professionals and creatives.
You'll be taught by renowned literary translators and researchers from the BCLT Research(opens in a new window) team, taking part in our regular research seminar series. You'll also be invited to attend book launches and the BCLT's events at the London Book Fair(opens in a new window).
You’ll be based in Norwich, England’s first UNESCO City of Literature, with its vibrant literary culture, including regular events at UEA Live(opens in a new window) and the National Centre for Writing(opens in a new window), and literary festivals like Norwich Book Festival(opens in a new window). At the end of the course, your literary translations will be published in an anthology, giving you a calling card for taking your work out into the world.
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Careers
Career Pathways
With a MA Literary Translation degree, you could launch a career as a:
- Literary Translator: The course will give you confidence and knowledge of the steps you need to take to launch your professional career as a literary translator
- Editor: The skills you'll learn on the course will equip you to work in editing or copyediting, developing and refining new work for publication
- Publisher: Some of our graduates have gone on to set up their own independent publishing houses – including Stefan Tobler (And Other Stories) and Richard Village (Foundry Editions) – or built success elsewhere in the publishing industry
- Academic: The course will also provide you with the skills and research background to pursue doctoral studies and an academic career path
- Arts or Cultural Manager or Administrator: Lead and programme cultural or artistic initiatives, fostering cultural engagement and appreciation
Career Support
On the course, you’ll learn what it takes to become a professional translator: from writing a reader’s report to approaching publishers and pitching a book. Our students thrive on the collaborative work they do on the course, learning that networking is essential for launching a career in literary translation. Being part of an international community of literary translators through the BCLT will open many doors and opportunities which frequently lead to publication success.
After the Course
You’ll leave the course confident of your own abilities as a literary translator. You’ll have a strong understanding of the publishing world, and of the grants and support available for translation from the language(s) you focus on. You'll also have gained a wider knowledge of contemporary literary cultures and career prospects. After graduation, you'll continue to receive support through the BCLT Alumni Newsletter and Career Central, and have opportunities to publish your work through UEA’s writing platforms.
Study and Modules
Structure
The course will give you a firm grounding in the theory, practice, and business of literary translation. Most modules combine creative and critical approaches, giving you the chance to study theory and analyse sample translations while honing your own translation skills.
In the autumn semester of year one, you'll study key approaches in translation theory and practice. You’ll also consider how the role of the translator has evolved over time, including how AI shapes the translator’s work today.
In the spring semester, you’ll learn how to approach translation as creative writing in your own practice. Considering writing, rewriting, and textual intervention, you'll explore process not only as it relates to writing a translation, but as something that can shape the text itself.
Compulsory Modules
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
In the autumn semester of year two, you’ll look at translation across various genres, considering the ways texts are disseminated across different cultures and how style shapes our understanding and experience of literature. Taking these insights into your own practice, you’ll focus on developing ways to recreate this understanding and experience in your own translations.
In the spring semester, you’ll personalise your studies by choosing an option module from a range of exciting courses across the School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing. This includes modules on global fiction, adaptation, and hybrid writing.
Later in the course, you’ll focus on your own translation project, discussing your work during a one-to-one tutorial with a professional translator who will be an expert in the source or target language of your choice.
Throughout both years of study, the BCLT workshop series will also contribute to honing your translation skills and industry knowledge, and during the editing workshops you’ll engage critically and creatively with your fellow students’ work.
During the summer of year two, you’ll work on your dissertation – which can be either a translation with a commentary or a critical project – under the guidance of a one-to-one supervisor. Finally, your work will also be published in our annual MA anthology with Egg Box Publishing.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
Teaching is largely seminar- and workshop-based, where you’ll work collaboratively with your peers under the guidance of expert tutors. Alongside this, you’ll complete preparatory writing, reading, and research in your own time. As a student on the course, you’ll be gaining new skills every week, whether by reflecting critically on your readings – from translation theories and approaches to sample translations or translators’ reflections on practice – or by pursuing your own translation projects. You'll share your translation work with your peers and gain as much from workshop discussions as from having your own translations workshopped. Through industry-focused workshops and panel discussions, you’ll also gain a deep understanding of publishing, marketing, and contemporary writing.
Assessment
Throughout the course, you’ll receive constructive feedback on your work during seminar discussions, workshops, and tutorials. At the end of each module, you’ll submit work for marking which – depending on the module – will be critical, creative, or creative-critical. You’ll receive written feedback which will offer guidance to help you build on what you’ve learnt as you turn your focus towards the final dissertation. The dissertation can be creative-critical (a translation with a commentary) or critical and is supported by a one-to-one supervisor.
From the modules’ coursework to the final dissertation, you’ll be encouraged and supported to pursue your own translation projects, whether these are of a critical or more creative nature. You’ll have the opportunity to find the kind of writing you’d like to translate, whether your focus is on poetry, short fiction, novels, or playscripts.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Literary or related subject preferred
- Additional Entry Requirements
Candidates will be required to submit a translation of a short story, poem or literary text with the source text of no more than 5 pages with their application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Literary or related subject preferred
- Additional Entry Requirements
Candidates will be required to submit a translation of a short story, poem or literary text with the source text of no more than 5 pages with their application.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
IELTS: 7 overall (minimum 7 in Writing, 6 in Speaking, Reading and Listening)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, our UEA International Study Centre offers a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2027/28 are:
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UK Students: £11,200
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International Students: £23,580
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships(opens in a new window); please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see additional course fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form(opens in a new window).
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk(opens in a new window)
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students(opens in a new window) section of our website.