Which language pairs are supported on the Advanced Diploma in Translation Studies?

Any pair where English is the source or target. Most cohorts work between English and a major European or Asian language. Less common pairs are supported subject to availability of specialist tutors — admissions can confirm at application.

Does the Advanced Diploma in Translation Studies cover machine-translation post-editing?

Yes — a dedicated module covers light and full MTPE workflows, quality estimation and fair pricing. Post-editing literacy is now a core expectation for working translators and the course treats it as such.

Is the Advanced Diploma in Translation Studies recognised by ITI and CIOL?

The course is designed around ITI and CIOL professional standards and prepares graduates to apply for Qualified Member status with either body. The qualification itself is a UK higher-education credential, not a chartered membership — but it maps cleanly onto both routes.

Can I specialise in literary translation on the Advanced Diploma in Translation Studies?

Yes — literary translation is one of the specialist tracks. It runs alongside more commercial options (legal, technical, audiovisual). Students typically pick two specialisms to build depth across their portfolio.

Will I learn Trados and memoQ on the Advanced Diploma in Translation Studies?

Yes. The CAT-tools laboratory covers Trados Studio, memoQ and Phrase, with translation-memory and terminology-base construction. Software licences for study use are supplied during the course.

Adv Diploma in Translation Studies | LSJHML London | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Advanced Diploma in Translation Studies at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a twelve-to-fifteen-month UK qualification for working translators ready to specialise — legal, technical, audiovisual, literary — and to lead localisation projects rather than execute discrete jobs. The course is aligned with Institute of Translation & Interpreting (ITI) and Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) standards and builds the practical and methodological foundations needed for senior translation work.

You step in with strong bilingual competence and the basics of translation craft; you step out with a specialist portfolio, CAT-tool fluency, post-editing literacy and the project-management discipline to run a localisation engagement end to end.

Key Features

Specialist-translation track — choose two from legal, technical, medical, audiovisual or literary translation.
CAT-tools laboratory covering Trados Studio, memoQ, Phrase, glossary and translation-memory management.
Post-editing module — light and full MTPE workflows, quality estimation, post-edit pricing.
Localisation project workshop — vendor management, file engineering, QA workflows, multilingual desktop publishing basics.
Industry-led masterclasses from working translators, ITI Fellows and localisation programme managers.
Direct top-up into the final year of a UK Bachelor's degree in translation or modern languages at LSJHML or partner universities.

What You Will Learn

The Advanced Diploma in Translation Studies is structured around the working life of a specialist translator — domain knowledge, tool fluency, quality assurance, client management and the methodological foundations to defend translation choices. You leave with a specialist portfolio in your chosen domains and the toolset to bid for senior work.

Translation theory — functional approaches, skopos, equivalence, the cultural turn applied to working practice.
Specialist translation — domain-specific terminology, register, document conventions across at least two domains.
CAT tools — Trados Studio, memoQ, Phrase; translation memory management; terminology base construction.
Post-editing — light and full MTPE, quality estimation, productivity tracking, fair pricing.
Audiovisual translation — subtitling conventions, SDH, dubbing scripts, accessibility (WCAG, RNIB guidance).
Quality assurance — LISA, MQM frameworks; QA tool use; bilingual review.
Project management — vendor briefs, scheduling, file engineering, multilingual coordination.
Professional practice — ITI/CIOL standards, freelance rate setting, contracts, professional indemnity.

Who This Advanced Diploma Is For

Diploma-level translators ready to specialise and step up to senior work.
In-house translators at UK and international companies wanting recognised methodological grounding.
Freelance translators looking to add CAT-tool fluency, post-editing and project-management to their offer.
Career-changers from teaching, editing or international business who already have strong bilingual competence.

Career Pathways

The Advanced Diploma in Translation Studies opens senior practitioner and specialist roles across UK and international translation. The market increasingly rewards translators who pair domain specialism with tool fluency and project-management literacy. Typical destinations include:

Specialist Translator (legal, technical, medical, audiovisual)
Localisation Project Manager (UK or international localisation company)
Subtitler (broadcaster, streaming platform, post-production house)
Senior In-house Translator (international corporate, EU institution)
Translation Quality Manager (LSP, in-house translation team)
Freelance Translator with a specialist domain offer

Graduates progress into the final year of a UK Bachelor's degree in translation or modern languages, or directly into a Master's in Translation Studies.

Entry Requirements

A UK Diploma (Level 4) or equivalent in a related subject, OR completion of secondary school plus one year of relevant work experience.
IELTS 5.5 overall (no band below 5.5) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement, CV, and evidence of working bilingual competence in at least one language pair.
Mature applicants (21+) without standard qualifications may apply with three years of relevant work experience.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.