Despite the development of automated translation services, professional translators are still in high demand. Specialists who speak languages that are gaining in popularity, such as Korean or Chinese, are especially valued. Also high-paying jobs are available for those who have studied European languages: English, German and French.
Education in this field does not have to be related to translation studies. Such programs are less common at the undergraduate level than linguistics and other similar fields.
Getting into a private school in England
Studying to become a translator abroad is the goal of many applicants, and for good reason: studying this profession abroad is the most effective, because the student can improve language skills in everyday life.
What is required for admission?
Bachelor’s degree
Requirements vary depending on the program, level, and country of study. The most general undergraduate courses in linguistics, culture, literature, and history do not require prior specialized knowledge for admission. The applicant must submit a standard package of documents:
high school diploma or certificate of expected graduation;
A transcript with grades from the most recent years of study;
Language test scores (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.);
motivation letter;
letters of recommendation;
resume;
accomplishments.
To apply in the United States, complete the Common Application. In the United States, Canada, and some European countries, a standardized SAT or ACT test score may be required.
What are the SAT and ACT?
They are standardized tests for high school graduates entering undergraduate programs. The Scholastic Assessment Test includes reading, writing and math assignments. American College Testing tests proficiency in English, math, reading, and science.
Master’s Degree
Admission requirements for this level of study are different because the courses are more specialized. Without specialized language training, a student cannot effectively study translation studies. To apply to some universities, it is necessary to have a completed linguistic education, in which the student has studied the same languages that he or she plans to study in the master’s program.
For other universities, language proficiency (A and B) is important. A is the main language that the future interpreter must have a high level of proficiency (as a native speaker), and B is an additional language that must be at least at the B2-C1 level. In order to check the proficiency level, the university can request the result of an international language test or conduct its own exam.
Also, the university may request the result of the exam in the language of instruction, if it does not match the study program. American and British universities often require an IELTS or TOEFL test.
Best Universities
1.Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is one of the most prestigious in the United States and in the world.
2 Harvard University
Harvard University, the oldest university in the USA, is a leader in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021: Modern Languages. At the undergraduate level you can study Germanic Languages, Romance Languages and Linguistics, at the PhD level Near Eastern Languages Civilizations (Akkadian, Arabic, Armenian, Babylonian, Egyptian, Hebrew, Iranian, Persian, Sumerian, Turkish and Yiddish) and Slavonic languages and literature are included.
3.University of Cambridge
At this prestigious English higher education institution, contrary to all expectations, you can find not only classic subject courses, but also unique highly specialized and even undergraduate ones.
4 University of Massachusetts Amherst
This institution in the American city of Amherst ranks second in the QS World University Rankings for linguistics.
- University of Bath
The University of Bath, located in the UK, offers one-year master’s courses specializing in translation. Applicants can choose one or two languages: Chinese, German, Spanish, French or Italian. - 6 University of Manchester
The British Manchester University has a specialized masters course Translation & Interpreting Studies. Students study the peculiarities of translation, interpretation, fiction, commercial and business translation for one year.