Postgraduate research 

Translation Studies PhD/MLitt (Research)/MPhil (Research)

Translation Studies research is rapidly expanding. We host a strong postgraduate community and discipline-specific networks and offer a stimulating research seminar programme, extensive library resources, wide-ranging expertise in the field and the opportunity for interdisciplinary supervision.

  • PhD: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time; Thesis of 70,000-100,000 words
  • MLitt (Research): 2 years full-time; 3 years part-time; Thesis of 40,000-70,000 words
  • MPhil (Research): 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time; Thesis of 30,000-40,000 words

Overview

Translation Studies research in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures is wide-ranging with students and staff working in fields from literary through to audiovisual translation across a broad range of languages.  These include:

  • Catalan
  • Czech
  • Finnish  
  • French               
  • German
  • Italian                   
  • Mandarin
  • Polish                   
  • Portuguese
  • Russian                
  • Spanish

Further languages such as Ancient Greek, Latin, Medieval Latin, Gaelic, Early Gaelic, Medieval Welsh, and Irish are also offered in other Schools.

Staff research strengths

As Translation Studies is necessarily interdisciplinary, the programme at Glasgow draws in a range of expertise across different fields of study.  Applicants are encouraged to look at the research profiles of colleagues in all areas of the School and if appropriate, the University.  Joint supervision allows students to be advised in Translation Studies but also in a complementary subject area, examples being creative writing, the graphic novel, medieval and renaissance studies, music, law or medicine. Our staff produce world-leading research in the field and engage in wide-ranging collaborations across the College of Arts & Humanities (English Literature, History, Philosophy, Theology).

Research proposals   

Proposals are particularly welcome in the following areas of Translation Studies:

  • audiovisual translation
  • multimodality and translation
  • reception research and user-centred translation
  • theatre translation from the early modern period to the present
  • Translation Studies theory and history
  • methodologies for translation
  • bridging the gap between translation theory and practice
  • literary translation, including poetry
  • translation as adaptation
  • translating non-standard language
  • translating gendered language
  • postcolonial translation
  • Translation and censorship

Our research environment

Students work within a well established international research environment.  This supports a wide range of activities including:

  • a research seminar series on a range of topics relevant to Translation Studies
  • an annual postgraduate conference (keynote speakers in 2017: Susan Bassnett, Michael Cronin, David Johnston; keynote speakers in 2018: Karen Van Dyke, Lawrence Venuti).

A dedicated Facebook site and Twitter feed are managed by postgraduate students

Within the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, you will also work alongside staff working on a number of externally funded research projects in the field of Translation Studies and related disciplines, and you will have the opportunity to contribute to postgraduate seminars and workshops.

 

Study options

PhD

  • Duration: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time
  • Thesis length: 70,000-100,000 words, including references, bibliography and appendices (other than documentary appendices).

A Doctor of Philosophy may be awarded to a student whose thesis is an original work making a significant contribution to knowledge in, or understanding of, a field of study and normally containing material worthy of publication.

MLitt (Research)

  • Duration: 2 years full-time; 3 years part-time
  • Thesis length: 40,000-70,000 words (including references, bibliography and appendices).

Our Degree of Master of Letters (Research) requires you to undertake a postgraduate course of special study and research that represents a distinct contribution to knowledge.

MPhil (Research)

  • Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
  • Thesis length: 30,000-40,000 words (including references and bibliography).

A Master of Philosophy (Research) requires you to undertake a postgraduate course of special study and research that represents a distinct contribution to knowledge.

Distance Learning

It may be possible to undertake a postgraduate research degree (with the exception of MRes) in the College of Arts and Humanities by distance learning. If you wish to explore this option, you should discuss it initially with your proposed supervisor.

Entry requirements

Our regular standard of admission is at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree (2:1), although candidates will usually also have completed or be undertaking a Masters qualification.

Research outline

Candidates are required to provide an outline of the proposed research subject in about 1000 words. This need not be your final thesis proposal but should include:

  • a straightforward, descriptive, and informative title
  • the question that your research will address
  • an account of why this question is important and worth investigating
  • an assessment of how your own research will engage with recent study in the subject
  • a brief account of the methodology and approach you will take
  • a discussion of the primary sources that your research will draw upon, including printed books, manuscripts, archives, libraries, or museums
  • an indicative bibliography of secondary sources that you have already consulted and/or are planning to consult

Your application, including your references and research proposal, will be passed to members of staff whose expertise and research interests most closely match the area of your proposed study.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
    7.0 with no subtests under 7.0
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test
  • IELTS One Skill Retake accepted.

Common equivalent English language qualifications

TOEFL (ibt, my best or athome)

  • 94; with Reading 24; Listening 24; Speaking 23; Writing 27
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements , this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

  • 66 with no subtest less than: Listening 66;Reading 68; Speaking 65; Writing 82
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

  • 185 overall, no subtest less than 185
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Oxford English Test

  • Oxford ELLT 8
  • R&L: OIDI level no less than 8 with Reading: 27-28 and Listening: 20
  • W&S: OIDI level no less than 8

Trinity College Tests

Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Pass with Pass in all sub-tests.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

  • Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
  • Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Fees and funding

Fees

2025/26

  • UK: To be confirmed [24/25 fee was £4,786]
  • International & EU: £26,580

Prices are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Fees for part-time study are half the full-time fee.

Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.

Alumni discount

We offer a 20% discount to our alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed Junior Year Abroad, Exchange programme or International Summer School with us. The discount is applied at registration for students who are not in receipt of another discount or scholarship funded by the University. No additional application is required.

Possible additional fees

  • Re-submission by a research student £540
  • Submission for a higher degree by published work £1,355
  • Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed £350
  • Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship £790

Depending on the nature of the research project, some students will be expected to pay a bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs. The exact amount will be provided in the offer letter.

Support

Teaching and research in the Arts and Humanities is supported by the outstanding resources of our University Library with its special collections and our on-campus Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery.

Our close links and partnerships with Glasgow Life, and the city’s many museums, art galleries, performing arts and music venues, international festivals and creative industry organisations make the University of Glasgow the ideal place for postgraduate study of the arts.

Graduate School

Our Graduate School creates a productive and interdisciplinary collegiate environment for all of our research students. We offer a range of services, courses and skills development opportunities for research students.

The College of Arts & Humanities is home to a vibrant and diverse community of students enrolled on taught masters and research programmes within a stimulating intellectual and cultural environment. Across every school and subject area the college is home to world-leading and agenda-setting research.

Find out more about what is happening in the community by following us on social media.

You will also be part of the wider Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities, the world's first national graduate school in the Arts & Humanities. Membership includes 16 Scottish universities, four art schools & the national conservatoire, with support from the arts, culture, creative & heritage sectors. 

How to apply

Identify potential supervisors

All Postgraduate Research Students are allocated a supervisor who will act as the main source of academic support and research mentoring. You may want to identify a potential supervisor and contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply. Please note, even if you have spoken to an academic staff member about your proposal you still need to submit an online application form.

You can find relevant academic staff members with our staff research interests search.

Gather your documents

Before applying please make sure you gather the following supporting documentation:

  1. Final or current degree transcripts including grades (and an official translation, if needed): scanned copy in colour of the original document.
  2. Degree certificates (and an official translation, if needed): scanned copy in colour of the original document.
  3. Two references on headed paper and signed by the referee. One must be academic, the other can be academic or professional. References may be uploaded as part of the application form or you may enter your referees contact details on the application form. We will then email your referee and notify you when we receive the reference.  We can also accept confidential references direct to rio-researchadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk, from the referee’s university or business email account.
  4. Research proposal, CV, samples of written work as per requirements for each subject area.
  5. For Distance Learning study option only - completed CoAH Distance Learning PGR application statement form
Apply now

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Related links

Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities