The graduate diploma in applied translation studies is designed for students who have completed an undergraduate degree in a foreign language with a first class grade or are able to provide evidence of over 5 years experience working as translators.
Students learn to translate various texts, documents, contracts and certificates in areas such as law, finance, marketing, environment, science and technology. They also engage in discourse analysis and other practical tasks.
Students study translation in Icelandic, English and one other foreign language.
The programme is 60 ECTS and is organised as one year of full-time study.
The programme is made up of:
This programme is primarily taught in Icelandic, but also in English and other foreign languages.
120 ECTS MA programme in practical translation is also available.
After completing the programme, students should, for example:
Completing the programme does not allow a student to apply for doctoral studies.
Completing a BA with a first class grade grants a student access to the second cycle of higher education. Applicants must have completed a final project for at least 10 ECTS.
Students must complete 60 ECTS.
Further information on supporting documents can be found here
Check below to see how the programme is structured.
This programme does not offer specialisations.
Students practice Applied Translation in the fields of law, finance, the European Union and marketing, translating into their native language with the support of the teacher. The teacher will choose texts for exercises and assignments. Students will practice working independently, as well as collaborating with others. Various aids and helpful tips for translating will be discussed. An emphasis is put on practical experience and discussions on the challenges of translating.
The aim of this course is to make students familiar with new research and discourse in translation studies; regarding for example the role of translation in a globalized world; the function of the translator; the translating process and participants; pros and cons of new translation technology; social, political, cultural and linguistic impact of translation; historical research on translators archives etc.
Introductory course in translation studies in which we will create a reader where important texts in the field are gathered. The most important theories of translation studies will be discussed and put into the context of contemporary discourse on translation with a view of seeing how they can be applied in research.
This course will be dedicated to the Computer Assisted Translation-technology available to translators. Students get an insight into the importance of translation memories, how humans and machines use these memories, and learn how to align text corpora to create language data and dictionaries. How to use online dictionaries, data bases and other online means. We will consider language policy, technical terms and neologisms. The translators working environment will be considered as well as skills that help freelancers get by in the gig-economy. It is hoped that experienced translators will contribute to the seminar. Students work on projects during class to prepare them for the home assignments.
The subject of the course is the translation of novels and they will be studied both from a historical and theoretical viewpoints. Articles by authors and translators on the subject will be read and examples of different translations analysed, in an attempt to see whether translators apply certain methods or whether their approach is different at different times. Students will do research on one specific translator and his or her works and present their results in a presentation. Issues in narratology will be discussed and students will submit a paper on the subject. Finally, students will translate a passage from an hitherto untranslated novel.
Independent study.
Independant study
This is primarily a preparatory course for those who are going to take the examination to become certified translators and interpreters. The major aspects of legal translation and interpreting will be covered. Students will work on previous examinations and will be introduced to basic translation theory. This course can also be taken as a part of the translation studies course.
Students practice Applied Translation by translating texts pertaining to different fields. Students translate into their native language with the support of the teacher. Students practice working independently, as well as collaborating with others. Various aids and guidelines for translating will be presented. An emphasis is put on practical experience and discussions on the challenges of translating.
This is a course for students in translation studies, Icelandic language and foreign languages. The goal is to introduce the main fields of terminology, its connection to other subjects, relation among object and concept, definitions, characteristics, intensions and extension, concept systems, relations between concepts, simple terms, compound terms, terminology and lexicography, dictionaries, terminologies, standards and domain loss. The teaching is provided in the form of lectures, discussions, and projects.
In this course the major authors in the history of translation will be covered, from ancient times to modernity. Selected texts that have been highly influential, indeed reviolutionary at times, will be read, discussed and translated. A special focus will be on the argumentation and the argumentation structures of authors who translated similar or the same texts.
Independent study.
Independant study
Students practice Applied Translation in the fields of law, finance, the European Union and marketing, translating into their native language with the support of the teacher. The teacher will choose texts for exercises and assignments. Students will practice working independently, as well as collaborating with others. Various aids and helpful tips for translating will be discussed. An emphasis is put on practical experience and discussions on the challenges of translating.
The aim of this course is to make students familiar with new research and discourse in translation studies; regarding for example the role of translation in a globalized world; the function of the translator; the translating process and participants; pros and cons of new translation technology; social, political, cultural and linguistic impact of translation; historical research on translators archives etc.
Introductory course in translation studies in which we will create a reader where important texts in the field are gathered. The most important theories of translation studies will be discussed and put into the context of contemporary discourse on translation with a view of seeing how they can be applied in research.
This course will be dedicated to the Computer Assisted Translation-technology available to translators. Students get an insight into the importance of translation memories, how humans and machines use these memories, and learn how to align text corpora to create language data and dictionaries. How to use online dictionaries, data bases and other online means. We will consider language policy, technical terms and neologisms. The translators working environment will be considered as well as skills that help freelancers get by in the gig-economy. It is hoped that experienced translators will contribute to the seminar. Students work on projects during class to prepare them for the home assignments.
The subject of the course is the translation of novels and they will be studied both from a historical and theoretical viewpoints. Articles by authors and translators on the subject will be read and examples of different translations analysed, in an attempt to see whether translators apply certain methods or whether their approach is different at different times. Students will do research on one specific translator and his or her works and present their results in a presentation. Issues in narratology will be discussed and students will submit a paper on the subject. Finally, students will translate a passage from an hitherto untranslated novel.
This is primarily a preparatory course for those who are going to take the examination to become certified translators and interpreters. The major aspects of legal translation and interpreting will be covered. Students will work on previous examinations and will be introduced to basic translation theory. This course can also be taken as a part of the translation studies course.
Students practice Applied Translation by translating texts pertaining to different fields. Students translate into their native language with the support of the teacher. Students practice working independently, as well as collaborating with others. Various aids and guidelines for translating will be presented. An emphasis is put on practical experience and discussions on the challenges of translating.
This is a course for students in translation studies, Icelandic language and foreign languages. The goal is to introduce the main fields of terminology, its connection to other subjects, relation among object and concept, definitions, characteristics, intensions and extension, concept systems, relations between concepts, simple terms, compound terms, terminology and lexicography, dictionaries, terminologies, standards and domain loss. The teaching is provided in the form of lectures, discussions, and projects.
In this course the major authors in the history of translation will be covered, from ancient times to modernity. Selected texts that have been highly influential, indeed reviolutionary at times, will be read, discussed and translated. A special focus will be on the argumentation and the argumentation structures of authors who translated similar or the same texts.
The timetable shown below is for the current academic year and is FOR REFERENCE ONLY.
Changes may occur for the autumn semester in August and September and for the spring semester in December and January. You will find your final timetable in Ugla when the studies start. Note! This timetable is not suitable for planning your work schedule if you are a part-time employee.
The University of Iceland collaborates with over 400 universities worldwide. This provides a unique opportunity to pursue part of your studies at an international university thus gaining added experience and fresh insight into your field of study.
Students generally have the opportunity to join an exchange programme, internship, or summer courses. However, exchanges are always subject to faculty approval.
Students have the opportunity to have courses evaluated as part of their studies at the University of Iceland, so their stay does not have to affect the duration of their studies.
Translators and interpreters work in settings such as:
This list is not exhaustive.
There is no specific student organisation for this programme, but students meet frequently in the Student Cellar.
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