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Overview
Whether you're a university graduate or a practising translator, you can further your knowledge and career with our flexible and industry ready MA Translation Studies degree course.
Advance your practical language, translation and technology skills whilst developing your understanding of professional practices, and networking with industry experts.
You'll benefit from the rich research experience and industry collaborations of teaching staff, who'll provide you with the most up to date theoretical knowledge and working practices, to best prepare you for your career in translation.
This is a flexible course – you can study around your existing professional and personal commitments by choosing between full-time, part-time, campus-based or distance learning options.
You can also work towards one of the following exit awards, depending on the number of credits and length of your study:
- MA in Translation Studies (180 credits)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Translation Studies (120) credits
- Postgraduate Certificate in Translation Studies (60) credits
When you graduate, you'll be qualified to work as a translator in the UK or abroad, or to pursue further studies, such as a PhD.
You can start this course in September or January (distance learning option only).
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and international students.
Course highlights
- Specialise in translation between English and your choice of eight languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian or Spanish
- Gain free access to translation software's MemoQ and Ooona, the most widely used software tools in the profession
- Choose to have your dissertation supervised by an industry professional, who'll act as an advisor and an insight to the industry
- Combine the newest theories with the most current industry practices to prepare you for your career in translation
- Benefit from the rich research experience of teaching staff and their collaborations with major translation stakeholders, including the European Language Industry Association (ELIA) and the Association of Translation Companies (ATC)
- Network with industry professionals as part of your course, and through internship and job opportunities
I have access to translation technologies and certificates to go with them, boosting my profile to employers. I have been able to visit many countries over Europe as part of my studies at Portsmouth and have achieved a more advanced knowledge of French and German than I thought possible.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
January 2025
Qualifications or experience
- A minimum of a second-class honours degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
- Applicants whose main language is English require advanced knowledge of at least one other language (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian or Spanish).
- Applicants applying for the distance learning course may be subject to assessment if their language competency is not evidenced by their qualifications/application.
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 7.0 with no component score below 6.5.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
September 2025 / January 2026
Qualifications or experience
- A minimum of a second-class honours degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications.
- Applicants whose main language is English require advanced knowledge of at least one other language (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian or Spanish).
- Applicants applying for the distance learning course may be subject to assessment if their language competency is not evidenced by their qualifications/application.
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 7.0 with no component score below 6.5.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Course costs and funding
January 2025 start)
- Full-time (on campus): £10,400
- Part-time (on campus): £5,200 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Full-time (distance learning): £10,400
- Part-time (distance learning – 2 years): £5,200 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time (distance learning – 3 years): £3,470 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full-time (on campus): £10,400
- Part-time (on campus): £5,200 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Full-time (distance learning): £10,400
- Part-time (distance learning – 2 years): £5,200 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time (distance learning – 3 years): £3,470 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Full-time (on campus): £17,900
- Part-time (on campus): £8,950 per year (subject to annual increase)
- Full-time (distance learning): £10,400
- Part-time (distance learning – 2 years): £5,200 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time (distance learning – 3 years): £3,470 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
Tuition fees (September 2025 / January 2026 start)
- Full-time (on campus): £10,900
- Part-time (on campus): £5,450 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Full-time (distance learning): £10,900
- Part-time (distance learning – 2 years): £5,450 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time (distance learning – 3 years): £3,630 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
(including Transition Scholarship)
- Full-time (on campus): £10,900
- Part-time (on campus): £5,450 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Full-time (distance learning): £10,900
- Part-time (distance learning – 2 years): £5,450 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time (distance learning – 3 years): £3,630 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Full-time (on campus): £17,900
- Part-time (on campus): £8,950 per year (subject to annual increase)
- Full-time (distance learning): £10,900
- Part-time (distance learning – 2 years): £5,450 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part-time (distance learning – 3 years): £3,630 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
Tuition fees terms and conditions
Funding your studies
Find out more how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government postgraduate loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students and our international student scholarships.
Loans, scholarships and bursaries
Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.
Funding for international students
Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.
Fees and funding for Master's courses
Explore Master's funding options, including loans, scholarships, bursaries and more.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees, so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Accommodation: Accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages.
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: Such as photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Modules
Full-time (on campus or distance learning)
Core modules
With academic guidance, you'll choose your own literature or empirical topic within a field of study that fits the parameters of your intended Master’s exit award.
You'll bring together everything you’ve learned to design and evaluate ethical methodologies, conduct systematic research, and communicate your ideas professionally in your dissertation or report.
You’ll learn how to tackle the complex, nuanced art of converting specialised texts across different cultures and languages.
You’ll absorb best practices for overcoming inherent challenges around precision, terminology and target audience.
You’ll also explore pragmatic models of the translation process, spanning text analysis, research, writing, editing and reflection.
Optional modules
You’ll study monomodal and multimodal text types and authentic contexts in which they’re routinely translated and meditated, responding to the needs of diverse audiences.
You’ll also look at different aspects of interpreting, including the challenges of online interpreting, and the demands made by different sectors, ranging from health services and the law to conference interpreting.
Choosing a topic aligned with your goals, you'll independently manage the translation process end-to-end and address a range of practical and professional issues throughout your project – from assessing market demand and time to resource management and billing.
Through guided projects, you'll develop your ability in using software for glossary development, computer-assisted translation, machine translation, and subtitling.
Critically evaluating software capabilities and design, you'll understand how to strategically incorporate technologies into your work and enhance your technical skills.
They’ll teach you how to craft your niche, portfolio and online presence to stand out in the global translation marketplace.
You’ll learn best practices for project management, quality assurance, productivity, finance and legal considerations, and think about your own next steps in your translation career.
With expert guidance, you’ll choose a topic aligning with your specialisation, experiences and goals, and critically analyse, discuss and evaluate it in depth.
You’ll use primary and/or secondary data and/or practice to reach your own defined objectives.
You’ll gain insight into all aspects of project management, from communication to customer service, and technology to finance.
You’ll develop the skills needed to become a project manager in the language services industry, and critically reflect on the key characteristics that an efficient project manager needs.
Part-time (2 years - on campus)
Core modules
You’ll learn how to tackle the complex, nuanced art of converting specialised texts across different cultures and languages.
You’ll absorb best practices for overcoming inherent challenges around precision, terminology and target audience.
You’ll also explore pragmatic models of the translation process, spanning text analysis, research, writing, editing and reflection.
Core modules
With academic guidance, you'll choose your own literature or empirical topic within a field of study that fits the parameters of your intended Master’s exit award.
You'll bring together everything you’ve learned to design and evaluate ethical methodologies, conduct systematic research, and communicate your ideas professionally in your dissertation or report.
Optional modules
You’ll study monomodal and multimodal text types and authentic contexts in which they’re routinely translated and meditated, responding to the needs of diverse audiences.
You’ll also look at different aspects of interpreting, including the challenges of online interpreting, and the demands made by different sectors, ranging from health services and the law to conference interpreting.
Choosing a topic aligned with your goals, you'll independently manage the translation process end-to-end and address a range of practical and professional issues throughout your project – from assessing market demand and time to resource management and billing.
Through guided projects, you'll develop your ability in using software for glossary development, computer-assisted translation, machine translation, and subtitling.
Critically evaluating software capabilities and design, you'll understand how to strategically incorporate technologies into your work and enhance your technical skills.
They’ll teach you how to craft your niche, portfolio and online presence to stand out in the global translation marketplace.
You’ll learn best practices for project management, quality assurance, productivity, finance and legal considerations, and think about your own next steps in your translation career.
With expert guidance, you’ll choose a topic aligning with your specialisation, experiences and goals, and critically analyse, discuss and evaluate it in depth.
You’ll use primary and/or secondary data and/or practice to reach your own defined objectives.
You’ll gain insight into all aspects of project management, from communication to customer service, and technology to finance.
You’ll develop the skills needed to become a project manager in the language services industry, and critically reflect on the key characteristics that an efficient project manager needs.
Part-time (2 years - distance learning)
Core modules
You’ll learn how to tackle the complex, nuanced art of converting specialised texts across different cultures and languages.
You’ll absorb best practices for overcoming inherent challenges around precision, terminology and target audience.
You’ll also explore pragmatic models of the translation process, spanning text analysis, research, writing, editing and reflection.
Optional modules
Choosing a topic aligned with your goals, you'll independently manage the translation process end-to-end and address a range of practical and professional issues throughout your project – from assessing market demand and time to resource management and billing.
With expert guidance, you’ll choose a topic aligning with your specialisation, experiences and goals, and critically analyse, discuss and evaluate it in depth.
You’ll use primary and/or secondary data and/or practice to reach your own defined objectives.
Core modules
With academic guidance, you'll choose your own literature or empirical topic within a field of study that fits the parameters of your intended Master’s exit award.
You'll bring together everything you’ve learned to design and evaluate ethical methodologies, conduct systematic research, and communicate your ideas professionally in your dissertation or report.
Optional modules
You’ll study monomodal and multimodal text types and authentic contexts in which they’re routinely translated and meditated, responding to the needs of diverse audiences.
You’ll also look at different aspects of interpreting, including the challenges of online interpreting, and the demands made by different sectors, ranging from health services and the law to conference interpreting.
Choosing a topic aligned with your goals, you'll independently manage the translation process end-to-end and address a range of practical and professional issues throughout your project – from assessing market demand and time to resource management and billing.
Through guided projects, you'll develop your ability in using software for glossary development, computer-assisted translation, machine translation, and subtitling.
Critically evaluating software capabilities and design, you'll understand how to strategically incorporate technologies into your work and enhance your technical skills.
They’ll teach you how to craft your niche, portfolio and online presence to stand out in the global translation marketplace.
You’ll learn best practices for project management, quality assurance, productivity, finance and legal considerations, and think about your own next steps in your translation career.
With expert guidance, you’ll choose a topic aligning with your specialisation, experiences and goals, and critically analyse, discuss and evaluate it in depth.
You’ll use primary and/or secondary data and/or practice to reach your own defined objectives.
You’ll gain insight into all aspects of project management, from communication to customer service, and technology to finance.
You’ll develop the skills needed to become a project manager in the language services industry, and critically reflect on the key characteristics that an efficient project manager needs.
Part-time (3 years - distance learning only)
Core modules
You’ll learn how to tackle the complex, nuanced art of converting specialised texts across different cultures and languages.
You’ll absorb best practices for overcoming inherent challenges around precision, terminology and target audience.
You’ll also explore pragmatic models of the translation process, spanning text analysis, research, writing, editing and reflection.
Optional modules
You’ll study monomodal and multimodal text types and authentic contexts in which they’re routinely translated and meditated, responding to the needs of diverse audiences.
You’ll also look at different aspects of interpreting, including the challenges of online interpreting, and the demands made by different sectors, ranging from health services and the law to conference interpreting.
Choosing a topic aligned with your goals, you'll independently manage the translation process end-to-end and address a range of practical and professional issues throughout your project – from assessing market demand and time to resource management and billing.
Through guided projects, you'll develop your ability in using software for glossary development, computer-assisted translation, machine translation, and subtitling.
Critically evaluating software capabilities and design, you'll understand how to strategically incorporate technologies into your work and enhance your technical skills.
They’ll teach you how to craft your niche, portfolio and online presence to stand out in the global translation marketplace.
You’ll learn best practices for project management, quality assurance, productivity, finance and legal considerations, and think about your own next steps in your translation career.
With expert guidance, you’ll choose a topic aligning with your specialisation, experiences and goals, and critically analyse, discuss and evaluate it in depth.
You’ll use primary and/or secondary data and/or practice to reach your own defined objectives.
You’ll gain insight into all aspects of project management, from communication to customer service, and technology to finance.
You’ll develop the skills needed to become a project manager in the language services industry, and critically reflect on the key characteristics that an efficient project manager needs.
Core modules
With academic guidance, you'll choose your own literature or empirical topic within a field of study that fits the parameters of your intended Master’s exit award.
You'll bring together everything you’ve learned to design and evaluate ethical methodologies, conduct systematic research, and communicate your ideas professionally in your dissertation or report.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Why study a Master's in Translation Studies?
Meet students and lecturers from our MA Translation Studies course, and discover how studying translation can boost your employment prospects.
Dr Begoña Rodríguez: MA Translation Studies is a well-established course. Students come to our course because of its flexibility, so you can study our course on campus and distance learning.
Elke: I signed up for a distance learning course because I felt it gave me maximum flexibility in terms of organising my daily life. So I'm working, I have family commitments, so I found this the best option to do.
Kayleigh: I'd have to say my favourite part of the course were the professors, as well as translation technologies.
Brianna: The instructors, all really nice people. They love to tell you about the current trends in the industry and support you and they're just very honest about what sort of things you can expect after your programme and they really prepare you for that.
Dr Begoña Rodríguez: On the course, we cover subjects such as translation, theory and practise, but also we have cutting-edge teaching, which is backed up by our research in translation technologies and professional aspects of translation. We are in touch with many translation companies and language service providers.
Raisa: The Association of Translation Companies, a UK-based industry. We've looked at legal translation, are some of the recent projects that Portsmouth students have done for the ATC and what the students get from that is, of course, an amazing industry contacts and their work published by the ATC.
Dr Begoña Rodríguez: Students that do translation can move into any language-related job. Translator and interpreting roles, or even teaching or even lecturing roles.
Elke: I'm working for a company doing technical translation. If I hadn't done the Master's, I wouldn't have been able to apply for this job, let alone be considered for my current position.
Brianna: I really did feel supported while I was here. I did use wellbeing services a couple of times and the academic tutors as well and they were all very, very helpful.
Elke: The tutors were always available for questions, if there was anything. I was very happy with that.
Kayleigh: That's why I stayed in Portsmouth for my undergrad to my postgrad, because the support is like a family unit, like a family little bubble and it's very nice.
Dr Begoña Rodríguez: I'm passionate about translation and I've always loved to pass down the knowledge to my students.
Raisa: I think the University of Portsmouth, MA Translation course is a really great foundation. It's really versatile. There are lots of different facets, the language learning, the language skills and finding about how the industry works.
Dr Begoña Rodríguez: Portsmouth is by the sea. It is very easy to travel in Portsmouth, you can walk, you can cycle but even if you don't come to Portsmouth, we have an excellent pastoral support, administrative support that all our online students all over the world will benefit from.
Raisa: The language services industry is hugely interesting because there are so many different roles that you can take. I've been in the industry for two decades now and I've never had a dull day.
Facilities
Global Café
You can meet students from all over the world at the Global Café on Wednesday afternoons. Learn about other's cultures and practise speaking in each other's languages while making new friends and getting to share your own culture.
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to spend in on-campus or in online lectures and seminars and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change.
Course structure
This Master's degree will take:
1 year (full-time study)
2 years (part-time study)
3 years (part-time study)
You can expect
- Up to 3 hours of teaching time every week (lecture, seminar or workshop) for each module you study.
- 24–30 hours of independent study each week if you study full-time, or 12–15 hours each week if you study part-time.
In the last 3 months of the course you'll be focusing on your dissertation or major project.
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree. If you choose campus based study, your teaching time will be blended (a mix of online and face-to-face), with between two and six hours of face-to-face contact a week, depending on the modules you choose.
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- seminars
- 1 to 1 tutorials
- online learning materials
- blended learning
Assessment
You’ll be assessed through:
- translations and commentaries
- essays
- presentations
- projects
- portfolios
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Meet your course leader
Dr Begoña Rodríguez
I'm a trained translator and interpreter, and my career has included translation and proofreading freelance work, specialising in legal translation and translation of children’s stories.
I was Portsmouth Coordinator for the National Network of Translation (NNT) and a founding member of the ELIA Exchange UK team. I have also been involved in several research and knowledge exchange projects and organiser of professional translation workshops and seminars. I also sit on two national Executive Committees: APTIS and am acting as national representative for Translation and Interpreting of UCML.
I was also the lead of the European Master's of Translation - a prestigious accreditation label under the aegis of the European Commission representing the MA in Translation Studies at Portsmouth (2014-2021).
Term dates
September start
The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project / dissertation.
January start
Courses that start in January have the same amount of teaching as September-start courses, but they normally run over a longer time period.
January-start courses normally run between 14–18 months, beginning in January and ending in the spring / summer of the following year. There are breaks at Christmas, Easter and in the summer. In the last few months you’ll be writing your project / dissertation.
Joining us as an international student
You'll feel at home in our international community and our diverse city. You'll be joining over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries who are studying with us.
Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in.
Career development
Careers this Master's prepares you for
Once you complete your Translation Studies MA you'll have the rich academic knowledge and industry know-how to start or advance your career in translation.
This well networked course benefits from collaborations with field experts, including the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI). These ongoing relationships help shape the content of the course and provide you with the right training for you to graduate with the skills you need to thrive within the industry.
You'll also have the option of progressing to doctoral level in your specialised area of translation. We're on hand to give you help, support and advice, whatever you decide to do next.
The MA in Translation studies provides a sound foundation on which to build a career in the translation industry. Most tutors are practising translators who can provide invaluable insights into the practicalities of profession.
Graduates of this course have gone onto areas such as:
- Translation project management
- Translation
- Freelance Translation
- Editing
- Copywriting
Graduates of this course have gone on to work for companies such as:
- Association of Translation Companies (ATC)
- Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI)
- STP
- Wessex Translation
Career outcomes shown are sourced from the latest available graduate outcome surveys. The data shows career outcomes at 15 months after graduation.
Placements and industry connections
Placements are not a compulsory part of the MA Translation Studies degree course, however there are a number of opportunities available for you to gain industry experience and liaise with professionals in translation.
Through collaborations with major stakeholders in the UK and Europe, including the European Language Industry Association (ELIA) and the Association of Translation Companies (ATC), you can attend webinars, seminars and other events. Here you'll network with academics and professionals to bring the realities of the profession to the classroom.
You can even choose to have your dissertation supervised by an industry professional, who will act as an advisor and gatekeeper to the industry. Providing you with access to information, data and translation experts to help you get the most from your dissertation whilst networking and building your industry experience.
MA Translation Studies graduate, Taegan Jones Skinner, wrote her dissertation in association with the Association of Translation Companies (ATC), exploring the effect of the well-documented UK decline in foreign language learning on language service companies’ access to native English translators. The dissertation has been published on the ATC website, and the recommendations made could go on to affect policy making.
Supporting you
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
How to apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start dates in September and January, as long as there are places available. If you wait until your start month to apply, you may find that the course is full.
If you're applying as an international student, remember that you'll need to leave plenty of time to get your visa organised.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Ready to apply?
Start this course in January 2025
Distance learning
Apply now (Full-time) – 1 year
Start this course in September 2025
On-campus
Apply now (Full-time) - 1 year
Apply now (Part-time) - 2 years
Distance learning
Apply now (Full-time) – 1 year
Start this course in January 2026
Distance learning
Apply now (Full-time) – 1 year
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2024, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.