Master of Arts in Translation Studies (AY2027-28)
(To be retitled as Master of Arts in Language, Communication, and Technology in AY2027-28; proposed title and curriculum structure are currently under review and subject to University approval)
About the MATS Programme
The MATS Programme is a Master’s programme in Hong Kong with a special focus on translation from Chinese to English. It is tailored for those who are proficient in Chinese and English and interested in the study of translation practice and translation research. The MATS Programme is distinctive in its global outlook and international team, with faculty members coming from Canada and across the Greater China region - including the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong SAR, giving students’ learning a significant edge. The Programme features small-class teaching to ensure plenty of interaction between students and lecturers. We also offer one-to-one supervision for translation projects and dissertation writing, which helps to train students in independent translation and research, and allows for more in-depth discussion with the supervisors.
Aim & Learning Outcomes
The broad aim of the programme is to provide, for students who are fairly competent in Chinese and English, a challenging bicultural education and vigorous academic training in translation and in research.
The learning outcomes expected at the completion of the programme are that students should be able to:
1. Communicate competently in Chinese and English for academic and professional purposes;
2. Perform translation independently or in a supervisory position in different milieus in Greater China: Hong Kong, mainland China, and Taiwan;
3. Reflect critically on the socio-cultural factors that affect the production and reception of texts in general and translated texts in particular;
4. Demonstrate an adequate understanding of the historical and current issues in translation practice and translation theory; and
5. Conduct independent research in translation studies and related fields.
Programme Overview
Curriculum
All courses in the MATS programme carry three credits each, except Dissertation and Translation Project, which are six-credit courses.
The programme requires the completion of 30 credits, which include 15 credits from required courses, and 15 credits from elective courses.
A distinctive feature of the programme is the study of translation in its cultural context. The emphasis is on translation not as a mere transfer of linguistic meaning but as an operation under certain socio-cultural constraints and for certain purposes. This feature can be found not only in the theoretical courses but also in most of the practical courses. It entails a leaning towards cross-disciplinary education rather than vocational training, which is in line with Lingnan University’s Liberal Arts ethos.
| Category | Theoretical Courses | Practical Courses |
| Required Courses | TRA501 Translation Theory: Traditional and Modern | TRA503 Chinese-English Translation |
| TRA502 Methods in Translation and Interpreting Research | ||
| Required Elective Courses | TRA516 Dissertation | TRA517 Translation Project |
| Elective Courses | TRA504 Advanced Translation Studies | TRA505 Business Translation (C-E) |
| TRA508 History of Translation and Interpreting in China | TRA506 Comparative Language Studies | |
| TRA512 Translation and Culture | TRA507 Computer-aided Translation * | |
| TRA513 Translation Criticism | TRA509 Journalistic Translation (C-E) | |
| TRA510 Legal Translation | ||
| TRA511 Literary Translation (C-E) | ||
| TRA514 Translating for Popular Culture | ||
| TRA515 Translating for the Creative Industries | ||
| TRA518 Bilingual Verbal Communications Workshop | ||
| TRA519 Eco-translation |
In Term 1, students will take three required courses and one to two elective courses. The required courses are: “Translation Theory: Traditional and Modern”, “Methods in Translation and Interpreting Research”, and “Chinese-English Translation”. These courses will lay a solid foundation for all the other theoretical and practical courses.
In Term 2, students will take three to four elective courses.
Students are required to take either a Dissertation or a Translation Project throughout the year.
Most of the courses consist of a two-hour lecture and a one-hour tutorial per week.
*We are grateful to Phrase for giving us free access to their platform, which is one of the Computer-aided Translation tools we use in our teaching.
Students are required to achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or above in order to automatically proceed to the next term for both full-time and part-time modes. The Board of Examiners shall, at the end of each term, recommend whether each student is:
Eligible for progression towards an award
Eligible for an award, or:
Required to withdraw from the programme.
A student will normally progress unless he/she fall within the following categories, any of which may be regarded as grounds for termination of studies:
The student is unable to attain a Cumulative GPA of 2.5 at the end of the term (for full-time students) or the year (for part-time students);
The student is unable to attain a Cumulative GPA of 2.67 at the end of the programme, which is the minimum Cumulative GPA requirement for graduation; or
The student has exceeded the maximum period of study, which is four years for full-time mode and five years for part-time mode.
A student will be given a warning if his/her Cumulative GPA is above 2.50 (the level required for progression) but below 2.67 (the level for graduation). The minimum Cumulative GPA for special consideration for a chance of continuation will be 2.40. The student shall be closely considered by the Programme Director concerned (e.g. through an interview) to find out their quality or standard. The Board of Examiners concerned can then make a decision on those marginal cases and report their thinking and decision to the Postgraduate Studies Committee (PSC) for information, or make recommendations on these marginal cases for special consideration by the PSC for a chance of continuation.
For graduation, students are required to complete a total of 30 credits as specified in the programme curriculum, including “required” and “elective” courses. The minimum GPA requirement for graduation will be 2.67 for the programme. Moreover, there is an English exit requirement for those who are admitted to the programme with an English test score just below the minimum. It is considered fulfilled if
- The student concerned resits the IELTS/TOEFL test and obtains a minimum score specified in the Admission Requirement; or
- The student concerned has completed an approved English enhancement course and attains a minimum grade specified by the programme, i.e. Grade B- as comparable to IELTS 6.5 (for 2025-26 intake or before ONLY).
- If a student was admitted to the programme with an English test score just below the minimum as specified in the programme's admission requirements (for 2026-27 intake), the student is required to fulfil the same exit requirement on English language competence before graduation.
Tuition Fees
Application Fee: HK$400 (non-refundable)
Tuition Fee:
Full-time / Part-time mode: HK$190,000 for all students
Application Information
- Applications for the Master of Arts in Translation Studies for 2027-28 will open on 1 September 2026 and close on 30 June 2027.
- Applicants can apply online via the following link: Online Application System, and choose 'Master of Arts in Translation Studies' (To be retitled as Master of Arts in Language, Communication, and Technology; proposed title and curriculum structure are currently under review and subject to University approval).
Admission Requirements
Academic Qualification(s)
1. Applicants must:
- hold a relevant bachelor’s degree awarded by a tertiary education institution recognised for this purpose by Lingnan University; or
- have obtained an equivalent qualification; or
- have provided satisfactory evidence of academic and professional attainment.
English Proficiency (for 2026-27 intake and after)
2. In addition to the above, an applicant whose degree, or exceptionally, an alternative qualification deemed equivalent, was not awarded by a tertiary institution where English was used as the medium of instruction (MOI) for the programme shall obtain:
- a minimum score of 79 in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet-Based Test; or
- a band score of 6.0 or above in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)1; or
- a minimum score of 450 or above in the College English Test Band 6 (CET-6), with proof of competency in spoken English2; or
- an equivalent score in a recognised test; or
- an equivalent qualification to prove his/her English language proficiency, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
1For IELTS and TOEFL qualifications for admission purposes, the University accepts only results from a single test sitting. The test must be conducted at a recognised test centre and fall within the two-year validity period, counted from the time of submission of the admission application for the specific intake cohort.
2For CET-6 results submitted for admission purposes, the University accepts only those obtained within the five-year validity period, counted from the date of submission of the admission application for the specific intake cohort. Applicants must also demonstrate competency in spoken English through an oral interview conducted by the programme and/or obtain a grade B or above in the CET-6 Speaking English Test.
Additional Admission Requirements
Applicants may be invited to attend a face-to-face or video interview when it is deemed necessary.
(with effect from AY2021/22 cohort).
Additional Information
The MATS Programme has established a collaboration with the Master of Translation and Interpreting (MTRANINT) programme offered by the University of Melbourne (Australia) for a Plus-One Programme. Upon meeting its entry requirements, MATS students would have the opportunity to complete two master’s degrees in two years.
(*Please note that the Immigration Office has NO objection to your taking up employment, effective from the date of issue of your non-objection letter until the date specified in the letter, under the conditions that (1) you remain as a student studying Master of Arts in Translation Studies at the Lingnan University and (2) your limit of stay in Hong Kong remains unexpired. For job or internship experience, please feel free to explore part-time job opportunities during your studies and the period specified in the non-objection letter.)
Teaching and Administrative Staff
| Programme Staff | Name |
| Programme Director | Prof. HUI Ting Yan, Isaac |
| Associate Programme Director | Prof. LI Bo |
| Administrative Officer | Ms. Caren CAI |
| Assistant Administrative Officer | Mr. Joey LIN |
General Enquiry
Email: [email protected]
Tel: (852) 2616-7970
Address: Department of Translation, Room 102, Ho Sin Hang Building, Lingnan University,
8 Castle Peak Rd. Tuen Mun,
New Territories, HK