M.A. in Advanced Language Skills

Visit the University's Courses Page for information on how to apply, entry requirements, career options and assessment.

This Masters Programme is designed to provide advanced linguistic and technical training in order to prepare linguists for careers in several areas of specialised language work in which there is a rapidly growing demand both in Ireland and abroad.

It will offer graduates in languages the possibility of developing their language skills to a very high level, deepening their understanding of the workings of language as an essential communication tool and gaining experience in the rapidly growing area of translation technology.  It caters for students whose first language is English, French, German, Italian or Spanish and who are competent in at least one of the others.

The objective of the MA is to foster the development of:

• Advanced language skills (students will acquire a very high level of communication skills in both oral and written Italian.
• Skills in advanced and specialised translation with an emphasis on translation software and the latest technological developments in translation work.
• Skills in consecutive interpreting.
• Skills in audio-visual translation (subtitling).
• Skills in intercultural communication.
• Independent research: Each student completes a minor dissertation of approximately 20,000 words on a topic to be decided in consultation with the course coordinators. This module enables students to undertake a substantial research project on any aspect of the programme, subject to the approval of the programme coordinators. The module provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate how the theoretical and methodological issues of their MA studies relate to a topic of their choice within their discipline.  The dissertation will show that the student has applied the full range of knowledge and resources applicable to the topic and has demonstrated the capacity for independent research.