Which language pairs does the Diploma in Translation Studies support?

The Diploma in Translation Studies supports the major European pairs (French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian) and the major East Asian pairs (Mandarin, Japanese, Korean), with English as the working language. Other pairs may be supported by special arrangement; admissions can confirm current capacity.

Does the Diploma in Translation Studies include CAT tool training?

Yes — explicitly. CAT tool fluency is a working requirement in modern translation. The Diploma in Translation Studies trains across current professional translation environments and translation memory, with structured practice on real-world style projects.

Will the Diploma in Translation Studies lead to ITI or CIOL membership?

The Diploma in Translation Studies is aligned with ITI and CIOL preparatory standards. Full professional membership typically requires further study (MA Translation, CIOL Diploma in Translation exam) plus a portfolio of professional work; the Diploma is the structural base.

Can the Diploma in Translation Studies be studied online?

Yes. The online route mirrors the on-campus course with live tutorials, recorded theory lectures and CAT-tool exercises completed on cloud-hosted professional environments. Distance learners build the same translation portfolio.

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

Yes. Post-editing is now a working part of professional translation, and the Diploma in Translation Studies covers post-editing workflows, quality standards and the ethical issues machine translation raises. Students leave able to operate as both translators and post-editors.

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

Course Overview

The Diploma in Translation Studies at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a nine-to-twelve-month UK qualification for bilingual students and working professionals entering the translation profession. You will study translation theory, work through translation practice across general, commercial and specialised registers, train with current computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools, and finish with a substantial translation portfolio.

The Diploma in Translation Studies sits between an introductory language course and a full Master's in Translation, and is designed around current ITI and CIOL professional frameworks. Cohorts are small; the work is demanding; the assumption is that you already have working competence in at least one language other than English.

Key Features

UK-recognised diploma in translation aligned with ITI and CIOL preparatory standards.
Translation theory grounding covering modern functional approaches and current debates.
Practice across registers — general, commercial, legal, technical and media translation.
CAT tool training — current professional translation environments and translation memory.
Post-editing of machine translation — a working competence increasingly required by employers.
Substantial translation portfolio reviewed for ITI / CIOL membership applications.

What You Will Learn

The Diploma in Translation Studies is structured around the working competencies of an entry-level professional translator — theoretical literacy, practical translation skill, CAT-tool fluency and professional discipline. You leave able to translate across multiple registers to professional standard, use the tool environment translation employers expect, and approach professional accreditation routes with confidence.

Translation theory — modern functional approaches, current debates, ethical considerations.
General translation practice — short-form, everyday-register source texts.
Commercial translation — business correspondence, marketing copy, internal communications.
Legal translation basics — contracts, certificates, official documents.
Technical translation basics — user-facing technical content, manuals, product information.
Media translation — news translation, subtitling fundamentals, voice-over basics.
CAT tools — current professional translation environments, translation memory, terminology management.
Post-editing of machine translation — workflows, quality standards, ethical issues.

Who This Diploma Is For

Bilingual graduates and professionals entering the translation profession.
Working translators without formal credentials seeking UK recognition.
Heritage speakers wanting to professionalise their bilingual skill set.
Career-changers planning translation as a freelance or in-house career.

Career Pathways

Diploma in Translation Studies graduates move into translation roles across UK and international employers and into freelance practice. Typical roles include:

Professional Translator (in-house or freelance)
Localisation Project Manager (technology, gaming, media)
Subtitler (streaming, broadcast)
Legal Translator (post-further specialism)
Literary Translator (post-portfolio-building experience)
Terminologist (technical, corporate)

Graduates progress to MA Translation Studies or to ITI / CIOL professional membership routes through further study and portfolio development.

Entry Requirements

Completion of secondary school (A-Levels, BTEC, or international equivalent).
Demonstrated working competence in at least one language other than English at CEFR B2+.
IELTS 5.5 overall (no band below 5.0) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement.
Mature applicants (21+) may apply with two 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.