Recent advice on any MA Distance learning courses in the UK./ MA or Postgrad Diploma?
Thread poster: Elizabeth Herd
Elizabeth Herd
Elizabeth Herd  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:58
German to English
+ ...
Sep 8, 2017

Hello! I am new to the business and seriously contemplating applying for a Distance learning MA . I have read some very helpful reviews of courses but some are from quite a while ago. Also what are people's views on MA or Postgraduate Diploma Institute of Linguists, please? Thanks. Beth

 
Anna Zahorska
Anna Zahorska  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:58
English to Czech
Distance MA in Translation Bristol Sep 8, 2017

Hello Beth,

I haven't taken any course yet, so I cannot give you any insight on that, but I was considering the MA distance course in Translation at Bristol University. That was purely on the basis that it offers a combination English - Czech. They have both French and German.
... See more
Hello Beth,

I haven't taken any course yet, so I cannot give you any insight on that, but I was considering the MA distance course in Translation at Bristol University. That was purely on the basis that it offers a combination English - Czech. They have both French and German.

http://www.bristol.ac.uk/sml/translation-studies/study/postgraduate/ma-translation/

Here is a detailed overview of their programme:

http://www.bristol.ac.uk/unit-programme-catalogue/RouteStructure.jsa?byCohort=N&ayrCode=17/18&programmeCode=1MODL003T

Anna
Collapse


 
Mair A-W (PhD)
Mair A-W (PhD)
Germany
Local time: 21:58
German to English
+ ...
Bristol Sep 9, 2017

Beth Herd wrote:

Hello! I am new to the business and seriously contemplating applying for a Distance learning MA . I have read some very helpful reviews of courses but some are from quite a while ago. Also what are people's views on MA or Postgraduate Diploma Institute of Linguists, please? Thanks. Beth


I'm currently doing the Bristol MA. I also have an OU degree, although not in Translation (which they just started offering this year), so I have some comparisons of the two distance learning systems. The experience varies hugely depending on: your tutor -- when you're sitting at home on your tod, a tutor who responds to emails/queries/interacts on the forums (fora?) makes a huge difference to whether you feel like you're getting something from the course, rather than just reading your textbooks at home -- and your cohort, how much interaction there is on the online forums and so on.

Your location will also make a difference. The OU provides in-person tutorials every so often (about once a month in my degree). I have never been in a location where I have been able to attend one. (OK I just looked up Mold on a map - likely you would get somewhere like Manchester)

Bristol is a distance learning course glued onto a physical university, and I get a certain amount of spam about lectures going on in Bristol that week, or signing up for student housing, which frustrate me. On the other hand, the course has been running for some years and so you might hope it has been fine-tuned (but perhaps running on slightly outdated technology now). The OU specialises in running distance learning courses and know what they are doing there, but the MA in Translation is new and potentially subject to teething troubles.

I can't comment on the other courses.

Why are you thinking of doing it? I'm inclined to the opinion that (personally)
- I don't learn a lot through organised distance learning that I couldn't learn just by reading the textbooks
- having paid out the $$$ to do the course is a huge motivator to actually read the books
- and I have learnt a lot through the books/course that it might have taken me years of experience to get to


Feel free to send me a message if you want


 
Elizabeth Herd
Elizabeth Herd  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:58
German to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Thanks! Sep 9, 2017

Thanks both for your useful advice. I am also looking into City of London Audiovisual Translation and Popular Culture as this seems to have a strong Literary bias.
Currently working freelance for Booking.com which I thoroughly enjoy but would also love to break into the world of Literary Translation and feel that, without any written qualifications in translation , this will not happen!
I am currently following a course for the IoL Diploma so may go down that route!


 
Luke Hubbard (X)
Luke Hubbard (X)  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:58
German to English
Open Uni MA in Translation Studies Sep 12, 2017

Hi Beth,

I've just finished the first year of the Open Uni's MA in Translation Studies. It was brilliant as we first started with the theory which I enjoyed, and then we moved onto more practical, so the technology and the translation profession itself. The theory and practice were then all linked in and was really enjoyable. In October the second module will start which I'm really looking forward to.

My tutor was fantastic and replied to emails quickly and all tutors
... See more
Hi Beth,

I've just finished the first year of the Open Uni's MA in Translation Studies. It was brilliant as we first started with the theory which I enjoyed, and then we moved onto more practical, so the technology and the translation profession itself. The theory and practice were then all linked in and was really enjoyable. In October the second module will start which I'm really looking forward to.

My tutor was fantastic and replied to emails quickly and all tutors got involved in discussions and all the students really got on and motivated each other. However, there weren't any tutorials which was a bit of a bit of a downside but other than that, I would recommend it!!

Take care

Luke
Collapse


 


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Moderator(s) of this forum
Nawal Kramer[Call to this topic]

You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Recent advice on any MA Distance learning courses in the UK./ MA or Postgrad Diploma?






Wordfast Pro
Translation Memory Software for Any Platform

Exclusive discount for ProZ.com users! Save over 13% when purchasing Wordfast Pro through ProZ.com. Wordfast is the world's #1 provider of platform-independent Translation Memory software. Consistently ranked the most user-friendly and highest value

Buy now! »
Trados Studio 2022 Freelance
The leading translation software used by over 270,000 translators.

Designed with your feedback in mind, Trados Studio 2022 delivers an unrivalled, powerful desktop and cloud solution, empowering you to work in the most efficient and cost-effective way.

More info »