University of Western Australia

What you'll study

The programme combines applied practice with theoretical grounding in translation studies. You will study core topics such as translation theory and ethics, comparative linguistics and text analysis, and professional standards for translators. Practical modules focus on translating a range of text types (general, legal, medical, technical and literary), revision and quality assurance methods, and the production of a professional translation portfolio.

Students typically gain hands-on experience with computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools, terminology management and localisation workflows. Coursework usually includes workshop-style classes, supervised practice translations, peer review, and a capstone project or assessed portfolio that demonstrates your competence across genres and subject specialisations.

Typical subjects and skills covered

• Translation theory and the history of translation studies
• Practical translation workshops (contemporary texts, specialised domains)
• Terminology and corpus-based methods
• CAT tools and localisation processes
• Editing, revision and quality assurance for translation
• Ethics, confidentiality and professional practice
• Research methods for applied translation projects

Entry requirements

Admission is normally for applicants who hold a recognised bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Applicants are expected to demonstrate a high level of competence in English and in at least one other language relevant to the programme. Relevant undergraduate majors include languages, linguistics, translation, media, law, health sciences or other subject areas combined with strong language skills.

Where applicants do not have a language degree, the University typically requires evidence of equivalent language proficiency and may consider prior professional experience in bilingual roles. Applicants whose first language is not English must meet the University’s postgraduate English language requirements or provide other approved evidence of English proficiency.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for a range of roles in the language services sector. Common career paths include working as a freelance translator, in-house translator for a corporation, localisation specialist for software and digital products, project coordinator or project manager at a language service provider (LSP), and translator for government agencies or non-governmental organisations.

Other opportunities arise in publishing, subtitling and media, terminology management, quality assurance and multilingual content management. The programme also provides a foundation for further postgraduate research or progression to a master’s qualification in translation, applied linguistics or related fields.

Why study at University of Western Australia

UWA offers this programme within a university known for strong humanities and language teaching, with access to experienced academic staff who combine research expertise with professional practice. The University’s Perth location provides strategic links to Asia–Pacific networks and industry partners, supporting placement and collaboration opportunities with government, business and cultural organisations.

Students benefit from dedicated language and multimedia facilities, opportunities to work with contemporary CAT software, and a focus on producing industry-ready portfolios. The programme is designed to be vocationally oriented while remaining grounded in the disciplinary scholarship of translation studies, making it suitable for those aiming to enter or advance in professional translation and localisation work.