Literature and Creative Writing at UEA
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Find out moreMA Literary Translation
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
Other Course Options
Other Start Dates
Other Start Dates
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Why you should choose us
Course Overview
At UEA we believe literary translation is an art form. On our MA in Literary Translation, you’ll use your passion for books and languages to learn how to write translations that’ll captivate and inspire readers. You’ll focus exclusively on literary translation, combining translation practice with translation theory. You’ll also gain the academic qualification needed for a career as a professional translator, while laying the foundation for further academic research.
Lead by leading translators, you’ll learn how to pitch a book, write a reader’s report, network, and write translations across different genres. Most of all, you’ll discover what makes a literary translation successful—how to craft authentic voices, make stylistic choices, and experiment with language and form. Through specialised workshops with professional translators and the British Centre for Literary Translation Summer School, you’ll gain valuable industry insights and build your professional network.
Based in Norwich, England’s first UNESCO City of Literature, you’ll immerse yourself in the city’s vibrant cultural scene—from regular readings and events at UEA Live to the renowned programme at the National Centre for Writing. You’ll also have the exciting opportunity to join the Editorial Team at Egg Box Publishing and contribute to the publication and launch of our annual anthology.
This course is supported by the British Centre for Literary Translation at UEA and based in the renowned School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing. At UEA you’ll have access to a series of lively events, including translation clinics with the Translators-in-Residence at the BCLT, research seminars, and one-to-one tutorials with professional translators working with your languages.
We’ve been training literary translators for over 30 years. Our alumni include award-winning translator Don Bartlett (who has translated Karl Ove Knausgård and Jo Nesbø among others), Stefan Tobler (who has translated Clarice Lispector and founded the publishing house And Other Stories), Chantal Wright (translator of Yoko Tawada’s Portrait of a Tongue) and Rosalind Harvey (who is a founding member of the Emerging Translators Network and whose translation of Guadalupe Nettel’s Still Born was shortlisted for the 2023 International Booker Prize). Upon graduation, you may follow in their footsteps or pursue a wide range of professions in the creative and cultural industries and beyond.
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Study and Modules
Structure
The course will give you a firm grounding in the history and theory of literary translation. You'll examine translation across various genres and consider the ways texts are disseminated across different cultures.
Some of your modules combine creative and critical approaches, giving you the chance to analyse translations in depth while honing your own translation skills. You’ll also explore translation from an experimental perspective, examining writing, rewriting, and textual intervention—not just as part of the translation process but as elements within the text itself. Plus, you can personalise your studies by choosing optional modules from a wide range of exciting courses across the School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing.
Later in the course, you’ll assemble a dossier of your translations for submission to a tutor who’ll be an expert in the source or target language of your choice. Your practical translation workshops will help you prepare for your dissertation, which can be either a critical project or a translation with commentary.
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
You’ll benefit from a distinguished and experienced team of lecturers on this course. Staff members who have taught on this course include:
Duncan Large, who specialises in translation and translation studies (especially historical translation theory), comparative literature (especially Anglo-German literary relations), and history of thought in the German-speaking world (especially Friedrich Nietzsche and French Nietzsche interpretation).
Cecilia Rossi, whose expertise lies in literary translation (especially poetry translation), Latin American literature (especially poetry), literary translation and creativity (theoretical, pedagogical and practical applications), the writer’s archive and the literary translator, and literary translation and cultural memory.
Thomas Boll, a specialist in the theory and practice of translation, the Latin American, European and Anglo-American avant-garde, twentieth-century Spanish American fiction, contemporary poetry in Spanish and English, Mexican history and culture, and archives.
Your dissertation will be supervised by an experienced tutor who’ll guide you through a project that combines translation and commentary, or a sustained critical project on some aspect of literary translation.
Assessment
Each module is assessed through essays or project work, which may include translating texts accompanied by detailed commentary. Your final dissertation will be either an extended translation with commentary or a critical essay, developed with expert guidance from your supervisor.
Employability
After the Course
Our MA in Literary Translation is a highly valuable qualification that will boost your career prospects in literary translation and beyond. Even companies specialising in technical and commercial translation recognise the strength of this course.
Graduates go on to pursue careers in literary, technical, and commercial translation, as well as combining freelance translation with teaching, lecturing, librarianship, media, or publishing roles. This programme gives you a competitive edge through the transferable skills, technical knowledge, and creative expertise you’ll develop.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Professional freelance translator
- Editor
- Publisher
- Academic
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
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
- 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
- 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.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2026/27 are:
-
UK Students: £11,200
-
International Students: £23,850
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 £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; 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.
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
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.