Welcome to Master in Translation Studies!

Undertake a learning journey in translation that is key to the circulation of knowledge, literature and information across the planet. In our multicultural and multilingual academic community — ideally set in Toronto, the most diverse city in the world, — you’ll collaborate with dynamic professors who are experts in many languages and various research areas, including literary translation and reception, translation theories, political texts and ideology, crowd sourced translation, ethics in Translation and Interpreting studies, space and mobility, epistemologies of communication, visual arts, communication policy and surveillance. Whether you want to increase your specialization or pursue advanced studies in the growing academic field of translation studies, you will earn skills to set you apart in the workplace. 

Learn about program details

Skills You’ll Learn


  • Learning and improving research practices 
  • Working independently and collaboratively with people from different disciplines and cultures 
  • Becoming an independent thinker 
  • Applying research findings to translation practice and professional settings 
  • Developing the best practices of oral and written communications  

Careers


As a Master in Translation Studies graduate, you are well-equipped to become a leader and changemaker. You can choose to pursue grad studies or obtain additional qualifications. Here are a few examples of possible career paths:  

  • Translation in the public and private sectors 
  • Management 
  • Teaching 
  • School or university administration 
  • Research 
  • Law 
  • Community interpreting 
  • Intercultural communication 

Hands-On Experiences


Apply the concepts and theories you’re studying to real world challenges. Engage in guided practical experiences in the classroom, workplace, community and abroad. These are some opportunities for Master in Translation Studies students. 

  • Attend the School of Translation’s monthly conference series to hear about translation projects and research 
  • Volunteer at the annual Glendon Graduate Conference in Translation Studies  
  • Participate in research activities (writing workshops, research meetings, collaborative projects with the language industry, etc.) 

Admission Requirements


The Master Program in Translation Studies is open to students who hold an honours undergraduate degree or equivalent from an accredited post-secondary institution, with a minimum grade point average of B in the final two years of  study.

Applicants must be proficient in English and have a working knowledge of another language.

Other requirements:

  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Resumé or CV
  • Statement of interest of approximately 500-600 words, including the information on academic background and achievements, any work experience, interest in the program, competences already acquired and relevant to the program, and research goals to be achieved in the program; holders of a degree in a field other than translation are asked to explain how their specialization relates to Translation Studies
  • Oral exam – only applicants who satisfactorily meet all the above admission criteria will be invited to take an online oral exam with the admissions committee. The exam will be conducted in English and will take the form of a structured interview.

    https://www.yorku.ca/gradstudies/academiccalendar-2024-2025/translation-studies/

Program Requirements

OPTION 1: 4 COURSES + THESIS

Candidates for the MA Degree by Thesis must complete four courses and write a thesis based on original research. The thesis must be successfully defended at an oral examination. Examples of MA theses defended in the program can be found in under Research.

OPTION 2: 6 COURSES + MAJOR RESEARCH PAPER

Candidates for the MA Degree by Research Paper must complete six courses and submit a Major Research Paper on a well-defined topic. The MRP is assessed and marked by the student’s Research Supervisor and by another member of the program.

OPTION 3: 8 COURSES

Candidates for the MA degree by coursework must successfully complete eight courses, or equivalent, chosen from those offered by the program.

NOTE: MA Thesis and Major Research Papers must conform to expectations for academic writing, academic integrity guidelines and FGS submission guidelines. 

View full academic requirements for graduate programs

THESIS

The thesis is expected to be approximately 120 pages long (+ the bibliography)

The thesis must:

  • be the result of an in-depth, original research project conducted within the period of graduate study at York.
  • demonstrate a clearly stated problem, framework, literature review, and methodology.
  • include an extensive bibliography.

Candidates conducting research involving human participants must fill out the ethics review protocol for approval and submit it along with their MA thesis proposal—research with human participants cannot begin until the university Ethics Review Committee has approved the protocol submission.

Students interested in this option should first identify a Research Supervisor who will help them develop a thesis proposal (see template). Once approved by the supervisor, the proposal is submitted to the Graduate Program Director and approved by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Once completed, the thesis must be defended before a committee comprised by the supervisor, two members of the graduate program and an outside reader.

York University awards a prize to the best three MA theses defended each year (all graduate programs considered).

More information on Thesis and Dissertation

MAJOR RESEARCH PAPER

The Major Research Paper is expected to be approximately 50 pages (+ the bibliography)–longer than a final research paper for a graduate course.

The MPR must be based on the student’s original work conducted within the period of graduate study at York. It can be on a new topic or it may be an extension of a paper written for a course.

Students interested in this option should first identify a Research Supervisor, then submit a topic and a proposal to the Graduate Program Director for approval.

Candidates conducting research involving human participants must submit the ethics review protocol along with the MRP proposal—research with human participants cannot begin the graduate program must approve the ethics review protocol.

Once completed, the MRP is assessed on the final submission and an oral presentation conducted with the Research Supervisor and the second member of faculty.

Student Supports & Programs

Glendon Campus prides itself on being a supportive community that goes the extra mile to ensure you get the help you need. See some of the resources Translation Studies students use the most. 

Meet Your Professors

You’ll learn from and get to know approachable professors, who are prominent members of the international translation studies community and actively working and researching in the field. 

Nelida Chan

Miriam Compagnoni

Valérie Florentin

Lorraine Janelle

Brian Mossop

Dominique Picouet

Salah Basalamah

Elena Basile

Hélène Buzelin

Marco Fiola

Marta Marín-Dòmine

Joshua Price

Sherry Simon

Adriana Şerban

Sehnaz Tahir Gürçaglar

Xiaoping Song

News & Events

Get involved on campus and in the community to meet fellow students and boost your Glendon experience. 

The 13th Annual Glendon Graduate Conference in Translation Studies
Glendon Campus, York University, Toronto
April 14-15, 2023 (Hybrid format)

TRANSLATION AND UNHEARD VOICES

https://www.glendon.yorku.ca/transconf/


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