Distance Learning MA in Translation

[Penguin13]

I am looking into doing an MA in Translation. Based in Bucks and given that I have 2 young children (2+4) it seems like my only option is likely to be distance learning.

OU is one of the courses I am looking at but has anyone undertaken the OU course themselves and have any comments on it?

If you did a distance learning translation course via another institution, which one was it and would you recommend it?

Thanks in advance!

I haven't done a translation MA although have thought about it. Have you considered City? Not sure if they do distance learning.

I find the Open University's fees outrageous, given they can't possibly have anything like the overheads that the normal universities do.

Thanks for replying Having. Are you working as a translator or just looking into it like me? I haven't looked at City yet, will check it out. From what I have seen so far, there aren't too many distance learning courses. To be frank it's not my preferred mode of study but I think it's the most practical option given my circumstances.

The Institute of Linguists Diploma in Translation used to be the standard. But this is going back 15 years so may be out of date

I did an OU Masters degree years ago, back when it was cheaper. And I have to saw that they are good University in terms of materials and support. They have been doing distance learning long enough!
But, now they are priced in line with other traditional bricks and mortar universities I wouldn't be so happy with what they provide.
I know it's not like any one else in the UK is much cheaper for online degrees, but still not sure it is worth the money they are charging now.

Given that you want to do a translation degree have you checked distance learning providers in your second langauge? I'm thinking about the Univerity of Hagen in Germany, but I missed the deadline for this year!

My DD has a MFL degree, which I assume you have too. Several of her friends went to a translation school in their chosen country because they thought translation was for them. It wasn’t. They were bored stiff and all changed career direction. So think very carefully if it’s what you really want. You can often work from home though so that might be very useful for you.

Could you talk to RWS in Chalfont St Peter to see what might be on offer and whether you actually need an MA?

Sings it is my understanding, though happy to be corrected, that the Dip trans is more something you undertake once you have learned to be a translator, whereas the MA (and lots and lots of practice) is how you learn (in addition to being a good qualification professionally speaking).

Thanks for the input Bubbles. Yes, I have a French degree obtained about 18 years ago . I still have a good working knowledge of French having used it at various points including at an international organisation headquartered in Geneva for 5 years.

Definitely not rushing into anything and am doing a great deal of research, including speaking to several of my acquaintances who are currently working as translators to find out about the realities of the job. Planning to attend the languages show at Olympia on the day for language professionals too.

I did my OU undergrad degree and it was great. Ideally I would have done my MSc with them too but it was more expensive than my red brick RG university

If you are looking at doing professional translation from home as a flexible working alternative/freelance do check the rates of pay before you decide. Unfortunately, a lot of people seem to be doing this and not charging an awful lot, eg on People per Hour and similar websites. It would be hard to earn back your fees. That's not to say that you shouldn't do it from a personal development perspective.

Thanks for the input SimBobs. Ideally I would go freelance but I have seen there is a lot of competition and have looked at some of the job postings on peopleperhour, upwork and another translation specific board whose name escapes me. I am trying to work out what would be good to specialise in as from what I have so far understood, that is where higher rates of pay are to be found. I'm not expecting to make a fortune by any means, but I am in the fortunate position of not being the main breadwinner and my current role is quite stressful and a toxic work environment which barely covers childcare costs. I am carefully considering my options and trying to be realistic as I am aware that translation is looking very much like a lifeboat and I want to be sure I am making the right move.

Could you not just do it without taking a further qualification? The key to specialisation is more to do with genuine knowledge of a sector, in which the appropriate vocabulary can be learned, rather than a certificate. As a linguist myself even I would admit that machines are getting better at this job. I do understand what you mean about not being the main breadwinner but consider how long it will take you to get to break even after course costs. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Perhaps I could, I had the impression that, given high levels of competition, either an MA or Diptrans was more or less required to differentiate yourself from competitors/ get any substantial work but perhaps I am wrong in that assumption. Where i have looked at job listings for translators I have seen as a standard requirement either 5 years experience or MA in translation but again, perhaps I haven't looked far enough.

I’ve done a bit of translation work and don’t have a qualification other than a languages degree. I worked in publishing at the time and just happened to be asked to help with a couple of projects (book chapters). It was not well paid and pretty soul-destroying TBH. I think if you have some specialist technical knowledge you’d have an advantage but I’m not sure if you need the qualification as such.

I am curious if you don't mind me asking PantTwizzler what made it soul destroying? Was it the subject matter, the process, not being paid what you were worth or something else?

Sorry that wasn’t a very helpful comment. It was stressful because it needed to be done yesterday and also I felt I didn’t have the specialist knowledge required. (I know now that a few of my translations weren’t very accurate.) Also I was doing it in addition to my day job which wasn’t ideal.

And the pay was very poor when I worked out the hourly rate.

Not at all PantTwizzler, thank you for your honesty. I am trying hard to ensure I think about the realities of the job rather than an idealistic perception of what I think or hope it might be like

I see how it definitely makes sense to do a distance course with young children.

I did a traditional MA in translation and also the DipTrans. To be honest, I learnt most about translation on the job. I also did a law-related MA which was much more useful.

But having said that I do think you need the MA to get an in-house job so doing it by distance makes sense.

You said you’ve already worked for an international organization in Geneva so that should really help you to get into that field, which is the best paid.

Working freelance for translation companies I struggle to earn more than £150 per day. But for my international organization clients I earn £250-550 per day.

Can be boring as hell and repetitive, but great to be able to work from home with flexibility in hours with children

When looking at courses I’d recommend looking for ones where the lecturers have been practicing translators not academics. And ones that focus on practical aspects, and also CAT tools. And ones with specialized modules i.e. legal/medical translation or translating for international organizations

Thanks for the advice practically. Reassuringly that's exactly what i was focussing on course wise so good to know i'm on the right track!

I've been a translator for the last 8 years; it was a career change from finance. I didn't have an MA in Translation and none of the agencies I applied to rejected me because of it - I had worked in my languages for years and passed the agencies' translation tests.
I decided to do an MA (campus-based) two years ago, but in all honesty it taught me very little about the practical side of translation and was very expensive. What makes a good translator is practice and experience!
PM me if you want to chat further. I really enjoy translating, and I now make a decent income from a range of clients, but it's been a steep learning curve and it's easy to get trapped at the low-budget end of the market.