Direct answer
The University of Surrey’s MA Translation, Interpreting and AI (2026 entry) lists a typical offer of a minimum 2:2 UK honours degree. The full-time overseas fee is £22,700. The course runs for one year full-time or two years part-time, starting in September 2026. Translation and interpreting practice is regularly offered in English paired with Chinese (Mandarin), among other languages.
Typical offer and fee status
The official course page states a typical offer of a 2:2 minimum. For 2026 entry, the published overseas fee is £22,700 for full-time study and £11,400 for part-time study. The page does not publish a separate China-specific percentage or grade equivalence; it gives only the UK degree classification as the entry benchmark.
Language combinations available
The programme regularly offers translation and interpreting practice in English paired with a wide range of languages, including Chinese (Mandarin). Other languages listed on the official page include Arabic, French, German, Greek, Italian, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish. The page notes that other languages are available upon request, and that language requests for interpreting are subject to a minimum number of students.
Course structure and compulsory modules
The taught component comprises eight 15-credit modules. For the MA Translation, Interpreting and AI, the course has five compulsory modules and three optional modules. The official page lists these compulsory modules for Semester 1:
- Consecutive and Dialogue Interpreting I
- Professional Translation Practice I
- Principles and Challenges of Translation and Interpreting
Students complete the degree with a dissertation. The page states that flexible dissertation options include a research-based dissertation, an extended translation or interpreting project with a reflective analytical commentary, or a critical report based on a language-industry work placement or a skills-enhancement activity.
AI and technology focus
According to the official course page, the programme integrates skills in both translation and interpreting with the use of AI and language and communication technologies. Teaching is guided by research from the Centre for Translation Studies and the Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI. The page specifies that students will explore neural machine translation, speech technologies, generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT), automatic speech recognition, large language models, and corpus linguistics techniques for terminology extraction.
Professional development and industry links
The course supports internships and professional development activities. The official page states that students can collaborate with language service providers and build a professional engagement portfolio. The University is part of the Higher Education Partnership of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) and a corporate member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI). It also collaborates with the European Language Industry Association (ELIA) and the Globalization and Localization Association (GALA).
Prizes available during the course
The official page lists the following prizes for academic and professional excellence:
- RWS Campus Top Student Award (two Trados Studio licenses)
- Project management training (one free-of-charge place in the Pro PM Training and Certification Programme)
- Professional Engagement Portfolio Prize
- Best Dissertation in Translation and Interpreting Prize
Key statistics from the official page
The course page includes the following statistics:
- 94% of literature and languages graduates in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes 2026, HESA)
- 10th in the UK for research impact in English language and literature (Research Excellence Framework 2021)
- 11th in the UK and top 150 in the world for linguistics in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026
FAQ
What is the minimum degree classification for the MA Translation, Interpreting and AI?
The official course page states a typical offer of a 2:2 minimum.
Is Chinese (Mandarin) offered as a working language?
Yes. The page lists Chinese (Mandarin) among the languages regularly offered for translation and interpreting practice, paired with English.
What are the overseas fees for full-time study in 2026?
The published overseas fee for full-time study is £22,700.
Does the course include interpreting practice?
Yes. The course includes professional skills in interpreting, including consecutive and dialogue interpreting, sight translation, and both on-site and remote interpreting via audio/video link.
Can I do a work placement as part of the degree?
The official page states that students have opportunities to gain industry experience through work placements, and one dissertation option is a critical report based on a language-industry work placement.
What professional bodies is the course linked to?
The University is part of the CIOL Higher Education Partnership and a corporate member of the ITI. It also collaborates with ELIA and GALA.
Official sources
- Translation, Interpreting and AI MA – University of Surrey
- Translation and AI MA – University of Surrey
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